It’s easy to slip into bad habits when it comes to our health and looking after ourselves. Here we identify some bad habits that people often find themselves acquiring. These bad habits can become big concerns so make sure that you don’t fall into the same trap by avoiding these common ones.
Not taking medication
This is the number one mistake that people make: as soon as they start to feel better they stop or forget to take their medication. However, just because you feel better doesn’t mean that you are better. For example, failing to finish a course of antibiotics can lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria. So don’t be tempted to stop taking your medication prematurely – always consult your doctor first.
Delaying going to the doctor
Not many people enjoy trips to the doctor, but there is a difference between reluctance and delaying to make an appointment. Ignoring symptoms and hoping that they will go away is foolhardy. Don’t take any unnecessary risks with your health. Check it out with the doctor as soon as possible. Chances are your ailment is only minor and is easily treated anyway.
Prioritise preventative health
All too often we don’t really pay attention to our health until we have a problem. It’s far better, however, to be proactive rather than reactive. Make sure you attend those regular check-up appointments that the doctor’s send through. And make sure that you exercise regularly and eat healthily to optimise your health and well-being in the long term.
Avoid Googling your symptoms
Tempting though it is, try not to consult the internet or friends and colleagues with your health concerns. Attempting to self-diagnose is a potentially dangerous thing to do. The internet is a great source of information, but it is no substitute for the expertise and years of experience that your GP has.
Likewise, it’s a very risky business attempting to buy drugs or treatments online. There are many products available on the internet from different countries that wouldn’t meet safety standards here in Australia. Don’t take chances with your health. Always first and foremost consult with your doctor about any medical concerns.
Being paralysed by fear or embarrassment
Sometimes we let our fears or embarrassment get in the way of seeking medical help. This is especially so if the problem is sexual or intimate in nature. Doctors really have seen it all before and so there is no need to suffer in silence because you are embarrassed. Likewise, convincing yourself that you have terminal cancer is probably only going to result in sleepless nights and unnecessary stress for you. Consulting your GP at the earliest opportunity will enable to put the issue in a proper context, saving you all that needless worry.
Developing healthy habits now will help to ensure that you live a long and productive life. Avoiding these common pitfalls means that bad habits won’t creep into your health regime.