It’s possible to have too much of a good thing. In fact, there are many healthy habits that can become unhealthy if done in excess. Below are a few common examples and a few signs that you may need to cut down.
Exercise
Leading a physically active lifestyle is so important for our body and mind, and it can prevent many health problems developing in later life. However, it’s possible to do too much exercise, to the point that you may even cause health problems – such as excess weight loss or frequent workout injuries that aren’t given enough time to heal. Exercise can also become unhealthy if it’s causing you to neglect responsibilities or putting a strain on relationships. Temporary sacrifices are sometimes required when training for events, but unless you’re a professional paid athlete you shouldn’t be spending hours working out every day.
Sleep
A lot of people don’t get enough sleep – anything under 6 hours per night is usually deemed unhealthy, leading to high blood pressure and a poor immune system. However, too much sleep (9 hours +) can also be bad for you, and in many cases more unhealthy. For example, the risk of heart disease and a stroke is actually greater in people that sleep too much than those that sleep too little. Make sure that you sleep between 6 and 9 hours per night to avoid health problems. Be wary that there are some sleep disorders that cause people to oversleep – if you find it difficult to sleep less than 9 hours and function, it could be worth seeing a doctor to see if you require a diagnosis.
Sex
Sex has many health benefits that often aren’t talked about such as stress reduction and even pain relief. Having sex regularly can also be key to a healthy relationship. However, engaging in sexual acts too often or thinking about sex too much can become unhealthy – you may find yourself neglecting important responsibilities and straining relationships if you cannot control your desires. There are many different forms of treatment that you can look into for sex addiction. Don’t be too embarrassed to seek out help – the problem is more common than you think.
Personal hygiene
Personal hygiene is important for getting rid of bacteria and reducing the risk of illnesses and infections. However, it’s possible to clean yourself excessively and cause more problems for yourself. A common form of OCD involves washing hands excessively – this can be so severe for some people that it can stop them carrying out daily activities or cause skin problems. Washing your hair too much or having too many baths/showers can similarly cause skin problems and anxiety. Treatment for OCD could be worth looking into.
Work
A good work ethic is healthy, but you can easily spend too much time working that it ends up negatively affecting your life. If you’re not seeing your friends and family enough, not getting enough sleep or abandoning household duties because you’re working too much, it could be time to find a way of cutting down your hours. Try not to regularly work more than 55 hours per week for the sake of your health.
