You might think these things aren't a big deal, but they can take a toll on your body over time. Do you have any of these bad habits
Holding your pee
When you gotta go, you should go! Holding it in for too long is not good for your health. "Urine is like a creek or river," says Grant Fowler, MD, vice chair of family and community medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), and a member of the medical staff at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. "If you block it, the stream becomes stagnant and gives bacteria the chance to grow in the bladder, and maybe to move back upstream to your kidneys. Keeping it flowing minimizes the risk of infection." Asif Ansari, MD, medical director of the Montefiore Medical Group, says holding it can put you at risk for bladder, kidney, and even prostate infections, especially if you have an underlying urological condition or are pregnant. In addition, some studies have shown that holding it for too long can actually stretch out your bladder, a condition called "infrequent voiders syndrome." Plus, if you're not going four to seven times a day (at least every four to six hours), you're probably not drinking enough fluids, and may be dehydrated. What does holding your pee say
Constantly chewing gum
You might think gum gives you fresh breath, or maybe it helps alleviate tension, like squeezing an oral stress ball. But if you chew gum all the time, it could be putting too much pressure on your jaw. "The temporomandibular joint—at the top of the jaw—is a synovial joint just as seen in the knees," says Jeannette South-Paul, MD, medical director of the community health services division of UPMC, Andrew W. Mathieson Professor and chair of the department of family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. "If you use those joints too much, you can develop arthritis, clicking, and pain." Plus, swallowing too much air can lead to stomach upset, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK
Biting your nails
Another nervous habit that's really not good for you is chewing on your nails. "Biting your nails can result in damage to the nails and infection of the skin surrounding it, called paronychia," Dr. Ansari says. The spread of germs can work the other way, too. "In addition, this can introduce viruses into the body, resulting in upper respiratory and other infections," he says. Dr. Fowler says you could also damage your teeth, or even crack a tooth! Plus, the psychological reasons why you do it need to be addressed. "Biting nails is usually a subconscious habit frequently made worse by anxiety," Dr. Fowler says. "What is making you so anxious? Anxiety itself may not be dangerous, but it can affect the quality of your life." A recent study from Canada found that nail biting is also caused by boredom and frustration—two traits of perfectionists, according to the research. Find out six tricks to stop biting your nails for good.
Skipping brushing or flossing
You're tired and fall into bed without taking care of your teeth—we've all done it, right? Well, skipping a brushing or flossing is worse for you than you think, especially if you make a habit of it. "Skipping teeth brushing or flossing are the biggest risks for dental decay," Dr. Fowler says. "And poor dentition is a risk factor for many things including major, overwhelming infections and malnutrition—especially in the elderly—and also cardiovascular disease." Whoa, heart disease? Turns out, the connection is not yet fully understood, but studies have shown a link. The theory is bacteria in the mouth can move into the bloodstream, creating an inflammation of the blood vessels, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Brush twice daily, floss once a day, and see your dentist regularly to avoid this. "Not maintaining this routine contributes to cavities and gingivitis—gum infections and inflammation—the major cause of early tooth loss," Dr. South-Paul says. Dr. Fowler also recommends an electric toothbrush to get to places regular brushes miss. Here are eight ways you've been brushing your teeth all wrong.
Sitting for too long
Along with staring at a screen, simply sitting all day has bad consequencesfor our health. "As a chronic behavior, [sitting] leads to all the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle including weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure," Dr. Ansari says. Although some research shows an increase in blood pressure or numbness specifically while sitting cross-legged, Dr. Ansari says those effects are only temporary, and won't really affect long-term health. "Crossing your legs doesn't cause clots except for those at risk of arthritis or high blood pressure, or those who are physically inactive longterm," Dr. Fowler agrees. But, walking throughout the day helps to prevent arthritis, and can also help to prevent high blood pressure. "Most of the harmful effects are from the simple act of sitting for prolonged periods," Dr. Ansari says. Studies show walking around periodically can help. When you are seated, it's important to have good posture so you don't get neck or backaches. "When you do sit make sure you scoot into the seat and use the back of the chair to help you sit up straight," Dr. Ansari says. "This will help ease the tension on your back muscles. Your knees should be at 90 degree angles and your feet flat on the floor." Read more rules of desk ergonomics for a pain-free work day.
You might think these things aren't a big deal, but they can take a toll on your body over time. Do you have any of these bad habits
Holding your pee
When you gotta go, you should go! Holding it in for too long is not good for your health. "Urine is like a creek or river," says Grant Fowler, MD, vice chair of family and community medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), and a member of the medical staff at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. "If you block it, the stream becomes stagnant and gives bacteria the chance to grow in the bladder, and maybe to move back upstream to your kidneys. Keeping it flowing minimizes the risk of infection." Asif Ansari, MD, medical director of the Montefiore Medical Group, says holding it can put you at risk for bladder, kidney, and even prostate infections, especially if you have an underlying urological condition or are pregnant. In addition, some studies have shown that holding it for too long can actually stretch out your bladder, a condition called "infrequent voiders syndrome." Plus, if you're not going four to seven times a day (at least every four to six hours), you're probably not drinking enough fluids, and may be dehydrated. What does holding your pee say
Constantly chewing gum
You might think gum gives you fresh breath, or maybe it helps alleviate tension, like squeezing an oral stress ball. But if you chew gum all the time, it could be putting too much pressure on your jaw. "The temporomandibular joint—at the top of the jaw—is a synovial joint just as seen in the knees," says Jeannette South-Paul, MD, medical director of the community health services division of UPMC, Andrew W. Mathieson Professor and chair of the department of family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. "If you use those joints too much, you can develop arthritis, clicking, and pain." Plus, swallowing too much air can lead to stomach upset, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK
Biting your nails
Another nervous habit that's really not good for you is chewing on your nails. "Biting your nails can result in damage to the nails and infection of the skin surrounding it, called paronychia," Dr. Ansari says. The spread of germs can work the other way, too. "In addition, this can introduce viruses into the body, resulting in upper respiratory and other infections," he says. Dr. Fowler says you could also damage your teeth, or even crack a tooth! Plus, the psychological reasons why you do it need to be addressed. "Biting nails is usually a subconscious habit frequently made worse by anxiety," Dr. Fowler says. "What is making you so anxious? Anxiety itself may not be dangerous, but it can affect the quality of your life." A recent study from Canada found that nail biting is also caused by boredom and frustration—two traits of perfectionists, according to the research. Find out six tricks to stop biting your nails for good.
Skipping brushing or flossing
You're tired and fall into bed without taking care of your teeth—we've all done it, right? Well, skipping a brushing or flossing is worse for you than you think, especially if you make a habit of it. "Skipping teeth brushing or flossing are the biggest risks for dental decay," Dr. Fowler says. "And poor dentition is a risk factor for many things including major, overwhelming infections and malnutrition—especially in the elderly—and also cardiovascular disease." Whoa, heart disease? Turns out, the connection is not yet fully understood, but studies have shown a link. The theory is bacteria in the mouth can move into the bloodstream, creating an inflammation of the blood vessels, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Brush twice daily, floss once a day, and see your dentist regularly to avoid this. "Not maintaining this routine contributes to cavities and gingivitis—gum infections and inflammation—the major cause of early tooth loss," Dr. South-Paul says. Dr. Fowler also recommends an electric toothbrush to get to places regular brushes miss. Here are eight ways you've been brushing your teeth all wrong.
Sitting for too long
Along with staring at a screen, simply sitting all day has bad consequencesfor our health. "As a chronic behavior, [sitting] leads to all the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle including weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure," Dr. Ansari says. Although some research shows an increase in blood pressure or numbness specifically while sitting cross-legged, Dr. Ansari says those effects are only temporary, and won't really affect long-term health. "Crossing your legs doesn't cause clots except for those at risk of arthritis or high blood pressure, or those who are physically inactive longterm," Dr. Fowler agrees. But, walking throughout the day helps to prevent arthritis, and can also help to prevent high blood pressure. "Most of the harmful effects are from the simple act of sitting for prolonged periods," Dr. Ansari says. Studies show walking around periodically can help. When you are seated, it's important to have good posture so you don't get neck or backaches. "When you do sit make sure you scoot into the seat and use the back of the chair to help you sit up straight," Dr. Ansari says. "This will help ease the tension on your back muscles. Your knees should be at 90 degree angles and your feet flat on the floor." Read more rules of desk ergonomics for a pain-free work day.
