The thing is that most of us have some toxic trait or another in us, and we still stick to them, knowing how bad they are for us. However, there are habits that seem completely harmless on the front, but that’s just a facade, as they can have adverse impacts.
When Reddit user riligan asked, “What’s a ‘harmless’ habit that people don’t realize is actually damaging in the long run?”, people couldn’t help but pour out their thoughts on this. You might even realize that you also have been practicing these innocent-seeming habits, without knowing their impact. Just scroll down to see what they are!
More info: Reddit
#1
Over working and not taking time off from work.
Image source: ConsequenceFancy6380, Kaboompics.com
#2
People pleasing. If you are more concerned with making sure everyone around you is happy than you are about your own well being, it will bite you in the a*s. Eventually you will start to resent people because you will feel that they don’t put in as much effort as you do, when in reality you are just doing too much! Take care of yourself, or you will not be able to truly care for others. Learn early how to set and maintain proper boundaries.
Image source: Odd_Frosting4670, Brooke Cagle
#3
Eating those last few bites when you’re full. It’s just a few bites of food, right? It can lead to overeating and teaching your body to expect more food over time. This can lead to an increase in weight and all of the other mental health effects that go with weight gain.
Image source: greeneyes826, Tina Witherspoon
#4
Playing on their phones when driving. I see it EVERY other driver. So scary.
Image source: Teeniemck, Miguel Ángel Hernández
#5
Not wearing sunscreen.
Image source: Athletic_Bear_7074
#6
Financial illiteracy. Not having a budget. Living on credit.
Sure people “know” it’s bad. Those same people still get completely blindsided when they have to face it in adulthood.
Image source: Tsukasasoul, Towfiqu barbhuiya
#7
Lack of sleep.
Image source: colorOfsage, Kha Ruxury
#8
Sticking around in a relationship where you aren’t happy.
Image source: bubblegum-rose, Timur Weber
#9
Only visiting a healthcare professional if the issue is extreme/long-term persistent. Reduces the likelihood of catching serious illnesses in the early stages dramatically if you resist speaking to a doctor until it’s crippling.
Image source: Big-Incident-2435, Pixabay
#10
Holding in your pee because you’re busy at work.
Image source: Equal-Traffic3859, Go to Waldemar’s profile Waldemar
#11
People who continuously choose to sweep things under the rug to “keep the peace.”
No peace is kept that way, it just builds a mountain of resentment until one day it causes irreparable harm to the relationship, whether it’s toxicity or indifference. And it makes the person who’s willing to work through the issues look like they’re the one who can’t let things go. People, please learn how to have difficult conversations constructively.
Edited typos.
Image source: LionClean8758, Liza Summer
#12
Rushing children. This creates life long anxiety problems and it’s backed by research there’s even a name for it “hurried child syndrome” parents don’t understand how serious this is.
Image source: hangononesec, RDNE Stock project
#13
Comparing yourself with other people.
Image source: AlphaKapalMuks, Elina Fairytale
#14
Constantly saying “yes” to everything sounds polite and helpful, but over time it drains your energy, builds resentment, and burns you out before you even notice.
Image source: BrainwaveBudd, Ron Lach
#15
Excessive consumption of soda.
Image source: Siennakayy, Breakingpic
#16
Eating poorly all the time. Outside of unhealthy weight gain + blood work issues, this can also cause some depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, lowered immunity etc.
It’s always worth investing in healthy food.
Image source: TheGodMother007, Christopher Williams
#17
Doomscrolling: massively screws with your brain.
Image source: YarrowDrifter, Kerde Severin
#18
Bottling up emotions for a long period of time.
Image source: CollegeNo2368, Sami Abdullah
#19
Subjecting themselves to toxic people solely because they share DNA.
Image source: SnoopyisCute, Mike Scheid
#20
Wearing headphones all the time in loud volume.
Image source: MinuteInteresting296, Element5 Digital
#21
Drinking hot lemon water every day.
Friend went to the dentist and found out she’d destroyed her enamel after years of doing this for her “health”.
Image source: mozzystar, cyrille Magina
#22
Only doing minimum payments on debt. Allowing interest to work against you.
Image source: AustinO_0, RDNE Stock project
#23
Thinking it’s polite to avoid hard subjects.
Instead, we should learn how to appropriately address those subjects in a variety of settings. Avoiding them let’s things that need to be addressed fester and grow.
Image source: FunRange3580, Anna Pou
#24
Being late.
Image source: katris_priordeen, Andrea Piacquadio
#25
Losing your fishing lure. This leaves a long trail of plastic monofilament fishing line that entangles wildlife and remains a persistent problem. Scuba diving under popular shore fishing spots looks like a tangled wasteland.
Image source: Smellzlikefish
#26
Vaping.
Image source: CParksAct
#27
Comfort zone id say.
Image source: TemporaryOpposite826, Coen Staal
#28
Expecting people to treat you the way you treat them. So many people go above and beyond for someone who only associates with them when they want something but never return the favor.
Image source: TheresaB112, RDNE Stock project
#29
Nightly alcohol consumption.
Image source: powerviolent, Createasea
#30
Sitting too long on the toilet.
Image source: BulletwaleSirji, Miriam Alonso
#31
Not stretching.
Every day. Not necessarily each muscle group in one go, but stretch each muscle group every day, at *least* 30 seconds, wherever whenever you can — get it in where you fit it in. Waiting for toast? Stretch your chest/shoulders. Legs. Assume a horse stance. Something.
Stretching is a little bit of a different kind of pain, that prevents a whole lot of pain.
Image source: The_Mr_Wilson, Dane Wetton
#32
Not eating enough protein.
Image source: Fuzzy_Welcome8348
#33
Small lies.
Image source: tech_fantasies
#34
I heard this quote – I’m not sure who from:
*We teach people how to treat us.*
I find this a good reminder, especially when meeting new people.
Image source: Caprilounge, Zen Chung
#35
Sun bathing. Alcohol.
Image source: RoyalWinter4340, Mikhail Nilov
#36
Slouching.
Image source: DisciplinedProgress, Dimmis Vart
#37
Procrastination. Just get into the habit of tackling things head on.
Sincerely, someone with ADHD who thought that the only way I could get things done was to wait last minute. Building habits is important! They’re what make you do the thing before you consciously realize you’re doing the thing.
Image source: Deep-Reputation9000
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