Health is an important topic for everyone to understand. To get the most out of life, and to live for a long time, prioritizing wellness is a crucial factor. When you ignore the condition of your body and mind, either due to busyness or laziness, you are setting yourself up for a difficult aging process. Plus, you may be missing out on enjoying life right now.
The complexity of pursuing health can make it difficult. After all, everyone is unique and what works as a healthy behavior for one person may not work for another. People will also have a lot of misconceptions about what they can do to pursue wellness. Maybe they don’t know what types of exercises to do, foods to eat, or products to use.
Sometimes, misinformation could be the only thing holding you back from living a healthier lifestyle. Maybe you thought that a certain product would improve your health and it actually has little effect or even damages your well-being. Or, there is a behavior that you assumed was dangerous for your health but is actually beneficial. With this in mind, here are a few common health myths that need to be debunked so that you can lead a healthier lifestyle.
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You Don’t Need Sunscreen on a Cloudy Day
Of the many sunscreen myths that exist, particularly for children, this is one of the most serious mistakes that can be made by an individual. Although clouds are great at filtering out the sunshine and blocking the light itself, they do absolutely nothing to stop the harmful UVA and UVB rays from getting in contact with your skin. Many people think that since the sun is blocked, then it is not going to damage the skin, but this could not be further from the proof. Whenever you head outside for long stretches, you should keep your skin covered or apply sunscreen regularly. That way, you can protect your body against conditions like dry skin or even cancer.
Alcohol is Bad For You
Almost everyone knows that drinking a lot is bad for your health, which is why many people assume that drinking at all will not benefit you in any way. However, moderate drinking that your body can process is healthy. It can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Alcohol can also improve your energy levels and lead you to exercise more, along with balancing your blood sugar. It may surprise you to know that alcohol can be very good for your body if you consume about one drink per day. That is because your body is not overwhelmed by processing this low amount.
Supplements Can Make Up for Dietary Gaps
Advertisements for supplements often bill them as a way to make up for any gaps in your nutrition. However, this is not the case. Supplements are called that for a reason. They are not meant to complete your diet, otherwise, they would be called “complements.” Instead, they can be used as a method to support a balanced and healthy diet. These vitamin and mineral supplements are great for renewing optimal cellular health, but they should never be used as your main source of nutrients. Only food can provide the vitamin and mineral levels that your cells need to function properly. Do not make the mistake of including supplements in your diet to make up for your poor eating choices.
Snacking is Unhealthy
This is a myth that may be generated from childhood and being told no when wanting to eat unhealthy snacks. The fact is, snacking is neither good nor bad because it completely depends on how you do it. There are pros and cons to snacking, but it can be a very healthy habit if done in the right way. Snacks can help keep your blood glucose levels up between meals and could help reduce the portions needed to satisfy those meals, preventing overeating. Additionally, regular snacking can boost your energy levels throughout the day. The key is to moderate your snacks and choose healthy options. Instead of chips, try eating yogurt. Replace sugary foods with veggies dipped in hummus. These substitutions will cut down on harmful fats and sugars while delivering the calories you need to sate your hunger as well as key nutrients for your cells.
Don’t Believe Everything You Hear
Myths can come about in so many ways. They could be a widespread misconception that has resulted from clever marketing by a health product company. A myth could come from the way that you were raised and how your parents chose to direct your health routines. It could also come from a simple assumption that is scientifically inaccurate. Whatever the myth may be, it is important to do thorough research about the products and behaviors that you want to engage with as you progress on your health journey.
