It’s all too easy to get into a habit of doing something, even though you know it’s not good for you. Once it becomes a habit, it is extremely hard to break. Even if you repeatedly tell yourself to stop doing something, or that you need to stop doing something else, you are typically in the process of breaking your own rules before you realize it is happening.

After doing things a certain way for so long, you may not even realize that you’re jeopardizing your health. Below you’ll learn about three bad habits that are taking a toll on your well being.

Not Walking Whenever You Can

When running errands, many people have gotten into the habit of finding the closest parking space to the door and using the drive-thru service to keep from going into the store. Instead of walking a few more steps, people will spend this time trying to figure out a way that will keep them from walking.

This form of exercise can be done by any age group, it’s not strenuous and there’s no special equipment required. Walking is great for a person’s physical and mental health. It burns off calories, keeps your blood circulating and it has a positive influence on brain function. Instead of trying to figure out ways to not walk, break this bad habit now and discover the joy of walking.

Instead of looking for a parking spot close to the store entrance, park at the other end of the parking lot. This will allot you plenty of time to walk, clear your mind, and burn off calories that you would usually ignore.

Eating When You Are Not Hungry

This is also known as “mindless eating” and this is the perfect term to describe this bad habit. Eating when you aren’t hungry is so easy to do, especially when you’re relaxing and watching television or using the computer. Night time eating, after you’ve already had your evening meal, is the absolute worst thing you can do to your body. You are taking in calories during a time that you will be unable to burn off the ones your body does not need. These calories turn into fat while we are sleeping. Even if you exercise in the morning, you will not be able to combat the effects of your “mindless eating” midnight snack.

When this eating urge rears its ugly head, you probably make it worse by eating the wrong foods. Instead of grabbing an apple or some grapes, you head for the potato chips, extra butter popcorn, left over pot roast, and cakes. After this eating binge, you will become drowsy. Not long after your snack, you’ll soon go to bed and all the fat and calories you’ve just consumed are packing on the pounds, most likely in places where it is the most difficult to get rid of, while you sleep. This bad habit can eventually lead to obesity, heart trouble, and diabetes. As the problem progresses, the health conditions worsen, leading to an endless cycle.

Not only does it affect your health, it also has a serious impact on your wallet.

Not Getting Enough Sleep

If your life seems to be in turmoil because there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done, you probably stay up too late trying to catch up. This bad habit can cause you to be less productive because your body and mind isn’t functioning at its full potential. If you have not slept enough, it can take you twice as long to accomplish a task than it would if you were well rested.

As you sleep, your body and mind are rejuvenating themselves from the activities of the day. If your body doesn’t get all the rest it needs, the process isn’t complete. You’ll not only feel tired, but you’ll be irritable and your mind won’t be as sharp. You will move slower, think slower, and function at a lower rate. It has been scientifically proven that our IQ drops significantly if we are sleep deprived. This is your body’s way of telling you that you need to sleep. To break this never-ending cycle, make it a priority to get eight hours of sleep every night.

When it’s time to go to bed, stop what you’re doing and turn in for the night. If you have difficulties falling asleep, try using an over-the-counter sleep aid for at least a week. This may help you develop a healthier sleep cycle, and make going to bed earlier a habit. If you don’t feel that you have enough time to get everything done during the day, enlist others to help you or shorten your to-do list until it’s manageable.

If you have tried over-the-counter sleep aids and see no change in your sleep patterns, you may need to talk to your doctor about a prescription sleeping pill. The problems you are facing may be related to a condition called insomnia, which is easily treated with prescription medications.

Smoking Cigarettes

The effects of quitting smoking start almost immediately after you extinguish your last one. Within 20 minutes of putting out the last one, your blood pressure goes back down to normal. In just 24 hours, your lungs begin to clear out that nasty, sticky, tarry substance. Within 72 hours, you are able to breathe easier, and the affects get better and better over time.

Within about two weeks, your energy begins to increase, making all of the other things you are doing to improve your health easier, and more beneficial. It won’t be long before you are able to run up and down the stairs with ease.

By breaking these bad habits, you’ll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle and you’ll feel better. Always be aware of the things you do, the way you do them, and whether they are becoming a habit. Always question whether this habit is a positive one, or whether it is compromising your health, or could lead to long term side effects.