Growing up, our moms and abuelas always told us told to follow certain guidelines and be on our best behavior. But as we get older, I think it's pretty clear that not all good manners are necessarily beneficial for us, health-wise. In fact, some of them can have a negative impact! So what polite, abuelita-approved habits are you practicing that can actually be hurting you?
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Below, check out five good manners that can actually be bad for your health:
Going to every event
Believe it or not, there can be such a thing as TOO much socialization. And though you might be afraid of jeopardizing your relationships by declining invitations, overbooking yourself can prevent you from tending to your own needs, like sleeping and taking time for yourself and your family. So when you really need a night in, feel free to say no…politely.
Eating your entire plate
Many people think they're being rude if they don't completely clean their plates, but eating past your point of satisfaction can make you feel uncomfortably full and can be a recipe for weight gain. Just handle the situation the way you would expect people to if they were eating at your house–by saying the food was delicious, but you can't possibly handle another bite!
Always give a warm greeting
A warm greeting is one thing, but shaking lots of hands cause expose you to all kinds of bacteria. If you tend to greet a lot of people at your job, make it a point to stash some hand sanitizer in your bag to use every now and then throughout the day.
Always being friendly
Being friendly to everyone is important, but not necessarily the best practice when it comes to social media. Facebook and other networking sites have been linked to discontentment, since people tend to post about all the good stuff in their life (promotions, engagements, vacations), which leaves you feeling as if you don't measure up. And the more friends you have, the worst the affect can be! So maybe rethink accpeting an invitation the next time you get one from a total stranger.
Sitting up straight
You know all those times your mom told you to stop slouching and sit up straight? Well, studies have found that maintaing perfect posture for too long can actually strain your back and cause pain and other problems. And since sitting for extended periods of time isn't great for you either, try to take breaks to get up and walk at the office so your body will have an opportunity to stretch.
