All in Moderation
All in Moderation
By Ashley Neglia
You try to stay healthy. You eat right. You exercise. But sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad for you and sometimes a little bit of what we consider a bad thing can be good for you. Read on to find out how much sleep is too much, why a little bit of gambling can be good for you and more.
Vitamins and Supplements
You've been a Flintstones kid for as long as you can remember. Now that you've graduated to adult vitamins it's time you monitor them correctly. Otherwise you may be doing more harm than good. According to Harvard Medical School, large amounts of vitamin A can be detrimental to bones and increase the risk of hip fracture, while vitamin E may not be as beneficial as we once thought. Before hopping on any supplement's bandwagon, check with your doctor first to find out which vitamins and what dose you should be taking for your age.
People Pleasing and Apologizing
A sincere apology for being beyond fashionably late for your best friend's birthday party is good manners, but if you find yourself saying you're sorry just for asking someone what time it is, then maybe you should rethink your apologies. Repeatedly apologizing can trivialize a heartfelt "I'm sorry," so keep them to a minimum for minor indiscretions, like asking for directions or accidentally taking someone's seat.
Gambling
Would you believe that gambling can be good for you? According to author Prudence Jones, gambling trains the mind to handle risk. Besides, heading to a nearby casino for a casual night of gambling with the guys or gals can be fun, if you know your limits. But if you find yourself blowing through an entire month's rent in a single hand of poker, you may have a problem. Do it again and you definitely do. Decide on a fixed amount you can afford to lose and stick to it. If you think you may have a gambling addiction, ask yourself these 20 questions from Gamblers Anonymous.
E-mail Addiction
When it comes to checking e-mail, keeping on top of things while you're at work is good for your career. But when your PDA comes everywhere with you an AOL survey found that 59 percent of people have checked e-mail in the bathroom -- and interrupts time with your family -- 67 percent check e-mail in bed -- it might be time to give your thumbs a rest.
Vigorous Brushing
Brushing your teeth twice daily can help keep your dental visits to a minimum, but a study from Newcastle University shows that you can take brushing your teeth too far. Repeatedly using too much pressure and brushing vigorously for more than two minutes can permanently damage the protective layer over the teeth and gums and lead to sensitivity, receding gums and periodontal disease.
Sex
They don't call it post-coital bliss for nothing. From endorphin release to better bladder control and a reduced risk of heart disease, sex can help the mind and the body. Researchers from Queens University of Belfast have even found that sex can help you live longer. While women don't have to worry about overdosing from sex, men can sustain permanent damage to their erectile tissue from a prolonged session of rough sex, which happens more often when men get their staying power from prescription drugs, such as Viagra or Levitra. You can romp between the sheets as much as you want, but take it a little easy when the little blue pill is involved.
Exercise
Working out for 30 minutes at least three times a week can help curb the effects of aging, ward off disease and help de-stress and energize your mind and body. But even too much exercise isn't healthy, especially when it interferes with daily life. A compulsive exerciser works out for one to two hours or more during most days and sometimes will exercise several times each day. Permanent damage to bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons can result when the body is not allowed time to rest and heal.
Hard Work
We all want to get ahead at work, but we've also all heard the term workaholic, and it's not a compliment. According to the New York chapter of Workaholics Anonymous, a workaholic is defined as someone whose work is the primary focus in life. If you find yourself constantly worrying about work when you're away from the office, and it's affecting the way you live your life, then you may need to reevaluate your work habits and consider taking time off or seeking help.
Drinking Alcohol
Studies have shown that a glass of wine a day can reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers and even curb the progression of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. But drinking more than one drink per day, defined as a 5-ounce glass of wine, 12-ounce beer or 1.5-ounces of 80-proof distilled liquor, can increase your risk of liver disease, breast cancer and stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Read and Post Comments |
More on AOL Health
Recent Comments
ADELE2364 09:16:58 AM May 30 2009
Arbonne began the original REvolution in anti-aging, with NutriminC RE9. THis product line was the first of its kind to address the after effects of sun exposure and aging with a REsult-orientated system of products for face and body. Formulated with nine key anti-aging elements.www.skinguru.myarbonne.com
jonbillie@eatel.net 12:33:40 PM Sep 29 2008
Who would ever guess that repeatedly telling your child he or she is special might not be a good thing. Well I can tell you that it can really caused problems for my child. My son was born weighing less than 2 lbs 32 years ago. He did have cerebral palsey and later had eye damage from a fall. From the day he was born, I never thought he was was going to die. I just knew that he would be ok eventually. He had physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy three times a week for over 10 years. He was mainstreamed in a regular school all the way through graduation. All the time hearing "You are such a special kid! " As he got older, in his teens, he began questioning to himself when was the SPECIAL going to kick in. He became angry, frustrated and rebelious. All the kids his age were dating and driving. When he graduated highschool, he was only about 4'4" and weighed less than 75 lbs. He is about the same size now at 32 years of age. He and I just recently talke
Shakeitdown17 10:51:19 PM Aug 18 2008
My surgeon recommended Flintstones kids vitamins for adults (me).I thought he was kidding but he repeated it twice and to take 1,000mg Ester C vitamins a day.I can't say either one made me feel great or anything but I'm still here.~
WhyArentISane 07:15:00 PM Aug 11 2008
Over=praising can be very detrimentsl to a child. Children need to be able to critically analyze their efforts and extend themselves to a loftier plateau with every succeeding effort. Excessive amounts of praise will lead to merely 'mailing in' their efforts and therefore stunt their creativity.
Jetjackblack 06:50:30 PM Aug 11 2008
the only thing that's totally safe is to already be dead....that's the only time nothing ELSE can harm you
SoloBJ 11:49:10 AM Aug 10 2008
re: frame #6--- you can brush your teeth for as long as you want, without any harm at all, as long as you use a toothbrush with bristle diameter of .007 in. ---- how do you tell the bristle diameter, since most toothbrush packages do not reveal this on the label??? the manufacturers are required to label their brushes "soft", "extra-soft", "sensitive" etc. only if the brush inside has bristle diameter of .007 in. or less; this is a good case of "don't believe everything you read on the internet" !!
SoloBJ 11:42:17 AM Aug 10 2008
re: frame #6---you can brush your teeth for as long a time that you want, as long as you are using a soft brush or softer (bristle diameter .007 in.) ; the wording on the package is not just fluff; it is a real description; ex: "soft" , "extra-soft", "ultra-soft"; brush manufacturers cannot use these terms unless the brush inside the package has bristle diameter of .007 or less; these brushes cannot harm you or your teeth and gums unless you stick the handle somewhere it's not supposed to be: this article is a good case of "don't believe everything you read on the internet" !!!
literaryhall 11:29:31 AM Aug 10 2008
Considering actual medial doctors receive Very few hours of nutritional training, I do not consider them the best at giving 'natural' health advice. If you want to take vitaamins and control of your health, please do not take the kind in mass merchandise stores- so many of them are wrong amounts, non-absorbable and not from good sources.The best type of vitamin, as far as multi's go, get a 'whole food based' or 'food based' vitamin. These come from food, often organic and your body will use them like food. So you can get the Target/WalMart/Grocery Special massive bottle for $5 that your body cannot use and you'll be flushing most of it, or you can pay a little more and start really feeling the difference. Pay attention to your hair, nails and skin when you take good vitamins- it really shows.And remember, caffiene can interfere with absorbtion, so if you pop your vitamin with your morning coffee- stop. I usually drink some organic juice with my vitamin, then hop in the shower/get ready
Trippnwo 09:52:27 AM Aug 10 2008
so if you both don't recommend all in one vitamins like centrum / 1-a-d, etc; what do you recommmend?
Yvgraham 12:17:04 AM Aug 10 2008
If you swallow two different prescription pills you dead. If you swallow a dozen vitamins they work as a team, helping others with asimilation and absorbtion. Therefor you always should take a GOOD vitamin(not Flintstone, Centrum, One a day) and if there is an issue add single others according to your needs-and do not ask your Doctor, because he would not know, since he never had it in school.
