Most of us do the best we can to take care of ourselves and our health. Certain things are within our control. Other things slip under the radar. An example would be not drinking enough water and learning you’re dehydrated because you have a headache or muscle cramps.

Below is a list of a few things you do all the time that could be causing short or long-term issues. Instead of telling you that you’re doing everything wrong, we’re giving tips on some things to be on the lookout for. Don’t panic or become fearful; be aware. Change it up if you need to, and as always, check with your doctor for any concerns.

1. Water Neglect

   Like plants, your body needs water. Dehydration can cause muscle or joint pain, dry skin, dizziness, and hangovers. No fun! Besides dehydration, low water intake can interfere with normal digestion and elimination. That means constipation or urination problems, which are not fun or healthy. Help your kidneys and tummy out!

2. Too Much or Too Little Sleep

   We trust you’ve heard the warnings about sleep deprivation and getting less than 7 to 8 hours of rest per night. Experts at the Mayo Clinic point out that a small amount of sleep and/or poor quality can lower the body’s immunity. They recommend 9 to 10 hours for teens and around 10 hours for school age kids.

   Just like too little, getting too much sleep isn’t really good for you, either. We’re not talking the once in a blue moon long morning, or if you’re ill. The same risks associated with too little sleep are the same for oversleeping: diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and headaches. Further, WebMD asserts that excess sleeping could indicate other serious issues like depression, chronic fatigue, or hypersomnia.

   Check with your doctor if your sleeping habits are unmanageable.

3. Cell Phone Scrolling

   This is actually true for electronic devices in general: artificial light disrupts sleep. When you’re up at night on your phone, tablet, or watching TV, the brain is induced to stay awake. Studies show that melatonin production also slows.

   A lesser known ailment associated with phones and other devices is digital motion sickness. The New York Times reported that nausea and dizziness from the condition have to do with the senses not agreeing with each other while viewing moving digital content. Phones and video games are common culprits. Experts say anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of us may get it, with women being more prone to it than men.

4. Drinking Extremely Hot Drinks

   Chances are you like coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. Some of you probably have a hot cup of joe each morning! Well, this isn’t the usually warning about caffeine, but instead the temperature of your beloved drink.

   The American Cancer Society cited a report by the World Health Organization that links drinking extremely hot beverages to a greater risk of contracting cancer of the esophagus. The W.H.O.’s study found that temps above 149 degrees Fahrenheit, or 65 degrees Celsius, put people at a higher risk. Solution? Cut down on extremely hot drinks by letting them cool down a bit first.

5. Wearing Bad Footwear

   This shows up in a few ways. If your shoes are too small, it’s a bad idea to try to be cute and squeeze into them anyway. Upgrade! Poor circulation and cramping are two things that are the result of small shoes.

   Poor footwear does not always provide the proper support, affecting not only your feet but the rest of your body. Bunions, ankle sprains, poor posture, muscle cramps, and back pain are just a few of the issues that bad shoes bring on.

6. Dirty Makeup Practices

   There are horror stories out there about women who have gotten infections from using dirty makeup brushes or germy makeup. But guess what? In some cases, they were the only users! Just like your toothbrush, makeup brushes should be cleaned or replaced periodically.

   Particularly with eye makeup, you can open yourself up to pink eye, staph infections, and other germs. Using clean, separate brushes for each part of the face will help keep bacteria from spreading. Also, you want to pay attention to when makeup expires.

7. Laundry Machine Lurkers

   So many wee baddies are lurking in the washing machine. Mold and mildew can build up in the liquid dispensers as well as the washer’s rim. Some washers can even stain your clothing with black mold, leading to a host of health problems.

   One study by a professor at the University of Arizona found that debris (like E. coli) from undies can be redeposited onto the rest of the laundry. That would make it unclean! Try washing underwear separately in hot water to avoid contamination.

While we can’t control everything in our environments, we can take steps to improve our own wellness and cut the risk of health issues. Do you have any of the habits above? Are you suffering from any of these health concerns or did you conquer them? Share in the comments!

Sources: American Sleep Association; Today