The modern world moves quickly yet people develop habits which become automatic to the point that they lose awareness of them. The hidden health effects of our daily activities, which we do not see, provide substantial benefits to our mental health and financial stability. The things which Americans perform daily from their technological behavior to their consumption of snack products show no indication of conscious awareness.
The “Infinite Scroll” Reflex
Most people pick up their phones to start scrolling through social media or news feeds without any particular purpose. The brain receives tiny dopamine boosts from this phantom habit which creates a cycle that drains productivity while boosting anxiety without the person realizing their state of boredom.
Consuming “Hidden” Added Sugars
Many people avoid candy but they fail to recognize that mainstream foods such as pasta sauce and salad dressing and bread contain hidden sugar content. Most Americans exceed their daily recommended sugar intake before lunch because they consume processed foods which use ingredients like barley malt and high fructose corn syrup as hidden sugar content.
Shallow “Chest” Breathing
Most people who face daily stress will change their breathing pattern from deep diaphragm breathing to shallow upper chest breathing. The body remains in a constant fight or flight state which boosts cortisol production and prevents relaxation during non-work hours.
Paying for “Zombie” Subscriptions
A huge percentage of Americans are being billed monthly for streaming services, gym memberships, or apps they no longer use. Many people do not observe these bank account exits because they happen without detection during months which leads to financial loss of hundreds of dollars.
Dehydrating with “Liquid Energy”
Most people consume coffee and soda and energy drinks as their preferred substitute for water. Caffeine functions as a diuretic because it exists as a liquid form. The majority of Americans experience mild dehydration throughout their day which causes brain fog and fatigue that they mistakenly attempt to solve by drinking more caffeine.
Sitting for “The Second Shift”
People who exercise for one hour every day will spend the remaining 15 hours of their day sitting either at their work desk or inside a vehicle or on their living room couch. The body maintains a sedentary state which requires more than brief exercise sessions to reverse because it creates back pain plus decreased metabolic rates.
Mouth Breathing
People breathe through their mouths during the daytime and especially during their sleeping hours. Mouth breathing throughout the day leads to people suffering from sleep disturbances and dental problems while their bodies experience reduced efficiency in blood oxygenation.
Decision Fatigue
Americans face more than 1000 decision-making situations throughout their day which include selecting their clothing and digital content and meal options. The brain reaches its “tired” state by 4 PM which causes people to make poor decisions that lead to evening impulse purchases and unhealthy fast food dinner selections.
Ignoring “Micro-Stressors”
Micro-stressors include the constant sound of notifications and the sound of traffic and the presence of cluttered countertops. Our brain continuously processes these signals which we attempt to ignore, leading to unexplained burnout.
Looking Down (Text Neck)
People spend multiple hours of their day looking at screens with their heads turned forward at a 45-degree angle. This situation creates 50 pounds of additional weight on the spine which results in chronic neck pain and bad posture that people believe is a natural process of aging.
