7 “Harmless” Habits Experts Say Can Actually Sabotage Your Health.
REAL SIMPLE – Lauren Thomann
Most harmful habits don’t actually feel all that bad in the moment. Scrolling before bed—which, let’s be honest, most of us do—or skipping breakfast because you’re busy can seem harmless enough, especially when they feel so common. Sometimes a habit even feels helpful, like going out of your way to give a friend a ride to work or unloading all your frustrations on your spouse before bed.
The problem is that even well-intentioned habits can start working against you if you aren’t careful. These behaviors can chip away at your energy, mood, focus, relationships, and even your long-term health without you even realizing it. We asked experts across several fields to share the “harmless” habits they wish more people would break, why they often backfire, and what to do instead.
People love their daily walks because they’re usually easy and because being outside is beneficial. But maybe it’s time to branch out. “The fact that walking is so comfortable and easy is exactly the problem,” says Andrea Marcellus, fitness expert and founder of AND/life. “The unfortunate truth is that walking simply does not create enough discomfort for the body to be forced to adapt in ways that are essential—namely, building muscle and improving insulin sensitivity.”
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