HEALTH WATCH FOR WOMEN

Find out if you are compromising on
your health everyday by indulging in these habits that you
must say goodbye to pronto.

1) Wearing heels often: Do your back and feet a
favour and keep the high heels only for special occasions.
Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian
may swear by their
towering stilettos but they also have a battery of help
to cater to their every need. An alarming number of
women have started wearing heels on a daily basis, or
every other day. And experts say that wearing high
heels affects posture, puts a lot of pressure on joints,
and at times even lead to conditions like painful bunions,
hammer toes, back pain and arthritis. Not to mention the
risk of twisting your leg and falling down.

Damage control: Ensure that if you have to wear
heels often, they aren't more than 1.5 inches.
Alternatively, carry a pair of flats while you travel and
wear heels only for some time. Rest your feet after
wearing heels by soaking feet in warm water.

2) Lugging around a heavy handbag: Most women's
handbags weigh an average two to five kilos. Shocked?
You should be. The sheer number of things women keep
and carry in their handbags can scare most men off. But
carrying around such heavy bags put your health at risk,
you're inviting health problems like back, neck and shoulder
pain. Your posture also goes for a toss, lugging around a
heavy bag will make you slouch sooner or later.

Damage control: Make it a habit to empty your bag
every week or two and carry only absolutely necessary
items. Or even better, switch to a smaller bag to avoid
the temptation of putting more things in your handbag.

3) Not removing your makeup at night: Sometimes
even the most meticulous women give in and don't
remove their makeup before turning in at night. While this
cardinal sin is a strict no-no, what you should know is
that leaving makeup on all night is inviting skin problems.
Your face needs to be cleaned of the makeup, dirt and
oil at the end of the day or you will face problems like
clogged pores, tired looking skin and pimples. Wearing eye
makeup overnight can cause eye irritation or even
infection.

Damage control: Keep a bottle makeup remover and
cotton swabs right next to your bed so that no matter
how tired you are, you can just reach out and remove
the makeup.

4) Trying to outdo men at drinking: Among those
women who feel they can drink as much as men if not
more? Do yourself a favour and stay away from such
drinking competitions. On an average, women not only
weigh lesser than men, they also have lesser body
water to dilute the alcohol, meaning they get drunk
faster. Not to mention the damage you do to your liver
by these binge drinking sessions.

Damage control: Let the men drink themselves silly.
recognize your limits and stick to them.

5) Wearing ill-fitting bras: Over a whopping 65% of
women are thought to wear the wrong sized bra. And
wearing an ill-fitting bra can have repercussions like
neck, back and breast pain, bad posture, skin irritation and
even breathing problems. Not only will your clothes sit
badly on you but you will also slouch a bit.

Damage control: Go to a lingerie store and get
yourself measured by an expert so that you know your
exact size. And since women's bodies tend to change,
get yourself measured once a year.

6)Dwelling over the past: When you refuse to let go
or stop thinking of your past or worrying incessantly
about the future, you are damaging your present as well
your future. Mental stress can drain you of energy and
affect you in more ways than you realise. And according
to studies, women have a higher chance of suffering
from stress-related disorders than men.

Damage control: If you find yourself depressed or
anxious, ask yourself what is causing it. Is it a broken
relationship or health woes? Address the problem at the
root and don't be afraid of asking for help.

7)Worrying about looks: Vanity affects both the
sexes but it affects a far larger number of women than
men. And women have a range of body issues, which can
take a toll on them mentally. Going on numerous diets,
having eating disorders and undergoing excessive
cosmetic surgery can cause you physical harm.

Damage control: Toss those beauty magazines in the
trash and improve your body image by making a conscious
effort. Be happy with what you've been given.

8)Emotional eating: When was the last time you
reached out for that comfort food and guiltily ate it?
Women are genetically more emotional than men while
comfort eating affects both sexes, it is said that men
tend to eat emotionally when they're happy and women
when they are upset. And women tend to satiate their
cravings with sweet, high calorie foods instead of
healthier options.

Damage control: Next time instead of allowing the
cravings to get the better of you (and your waistline),
distract yourself with something other than food.

9)Not sleeping enough: Do you get your eight hours of
sleep every night? Or do you scrimp and then sleep all
weekend? Don't blame a hectic lifestyle or stress on not
getting enough sleep. Not only can inadequate sleep make
you feel lethargic, it can also make you look like hell, apart
from causing accidents, over eating and an increased
heart disease risk. Sleep affects your blood pressure
and mood more than it affects men.

Damage control: Go to sleep early as often as you
can and wake up at the same time everyday.
Culled from KFB health talk.