Healthy living can be tricky. You are hitting the gym, drinking plenty of water, going to bed early and doing everything you can think of to lead a healthier lifestyle. These are all great moves and kudos to you for being proactive about your health! However, believe it or not, you can actually be taking some of these habits too far. Here are some instances where you need to draw the line.
Are You Drinking Too Much Water?
Yes, too much of a good thing can actually be a bad thing. Sure, you have been told again and again the importance of drinking water. Water has so many benefits:
- Water leaves you feeling full.
- Water transports nutrients and oxygen to your cells.
- Water moisturizes the air in your lungs.
- Water helps with metabolism.
- Water helps to protect your vital organs.
- Water regulates your body temperature.
- Water detoxifies.
- Water protects and moisturizes your joints.
Water is good for the entire body from head-to-toe. After all, your body consists of a lot of water!
Did you know?
- Your muscles consist of 75 percent water.
- Your brain consists of 90 percent water.
- Your bones consist of 22 percent water.
- Your blood consists of 83 percent water.
However, if you are forcing yourself to down liter and after liter of water each day in an attempt to fight off hunger (you need to eat!), you could find yourself with a dangerous condition known as water intoxication or hyponatraemia. This condition can cause dizziness, confusion and even worse seizures or cardiovascular issues. In extreme cases, the results can even be fatal – there are reported cases of a few marathon runners dying from this condition.
It is important to remember that there is no one formula for determining how much water you should consume on a daily basis. How much water you should drink is not a one-size fits all answer. Some might argue drink until you aren’t thirsty anymore, while others might stick with the eight, 8 ounce glasses of water each day. It is important that you drink water with meals, while exercising and when you are thirsty. However, if you find yourself running to the restroom every half an hour you are likely overdoing-it on the water intake.
If you cut back on water and still find yourself touring restrooms all around your city, contact your physician. You may need to be screened for a urinary tract infection or diabetes.
Are you worried that you are sweating out too much water? Consider switching out your plain water for a sports drink that contains sodium. This can help keep your electrolyte levels within a normal range.
Did You Know You can Exercise TOO Much?
It’s great that you love to exercise, really it is! Working out is obviously a healthy choice. However, too much of a good thing can once again be a bad thing. Too much physical activity can lead to overuse injuries including stress fractures and muscle strains. These injuries can mean time spent away from the gym and the activities you enjoy most.
Believe it or not, while the chances are slim, some exercise-enthusiasts can actually develop an addition to exercise. Compulsive exercisers set unrealistic fitness goals and become full of anxiety when they are unable to meet these goals.
Do you:
- Feel like you’ve failed at the end of a workout?
- Are you missing social events and work because exercise is your top priority?
If this is the case, these are signs of a possible exercise addiction. You should seek the help of your family physician or a mental health professional.
Do You Really Love Your Bed?
Most of us enjoy spending quality time with our beds. Who wouldn’t? After a busy weekend, a tough workout or a long day at the office, a good night’s sleep is something a majority of us could definitely use. However, getting a surplus of sleep can be a bad thing. If you are getting 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night, you are probably getting too much sleep. Sure, it’s okay every once in a while. However, too much sleep can be a sign of depression or sleep apnea. Sleeping too much can also be an indicator of underlying medical conditions – including diabetes or heart disease. Too much sleep has also been linked with obesity.
If you are getting too much sleep, this may not be something to brag about. Consult your physician if you are concerned about your sleeping habits.
