Unhealthy habits you can break today

We all have habits that we want to break; after all, humans are creatures of habit.  Our habits really make us what we are, and since we all inevitably have a few bad ones, it’s natural to want to break out of our self-imposed ruts.  Here are a few common habits that you can break out of, starting today.

 

Social smoking

 

Social smoking is a habit that is easy to fall into, if you like to spend time out with friends having a cocktail.  Every group of friends seems to have at least one smoker, so it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to join in and take a few puffs yourself.  Next time you’re out, just pass on the cigarette.

 

Even one cigarette can have a detrimental impact on your health.  The immediate harm that comes from cigarette smoke starts with just one puff, so learn your triggers that causes you to want to smoke.  Chew on a straw, a toothpick, a stick of gum, or a even a peppermint to keep your hands busy while your friends take their smoke break.

 

Pass on the “binge” drinking

Busy during the workweek, some men will go out on the weekend and get crazy to blow off steam.  While there are health benefits to moderate drinking (2 or fewer drinks per day), binge drinking will undo those positive side effects.  Consider drinking a seltzer and lime for every cocktail or beer to slow down your alcohol intake, and to reduce your potential for a nasty hangover.

 

Kick the artificial sugar habit

Artificial sweeteners are a blessing and a curse.  By putting them in your coffee and other foods, your body might get a little confused.  See, your brain detects something sweet being ingested, and it expects calories.  When none materialize, you may experience hunger pangs to prompt you to eat even more.  When you want a drink, try black coffee, or just have some delicious ice water!

 

Cut out the diet soda

People are addicted to all sorts of things, and those diet soda drinkers seem to be really on the hook.  While the crisp flavor of diet soda is admittedly delicious to the taste, what really may have its hooks into you is the caffeine.  We associate caffeine with coffee and tea, but popular diet sodas have as much caffeine as a shot of espresso.  At the very least, switch to caffeine-free brands, or try limiting your diet soda intake to once per day.