If you’re in your twenties or thirties and thinking to yourself “I’m still young, I don’t have to worry about my health lah…“, have we got news for you! Regardless of whether or not you have good genes or are seemingly at the peak of your health now, it doesn’t mean you have nothing to worry about. In fact, there are little, little things you unknowingly do daily that can cause severe physical damage to your body, such as:
1. Typing on your keyboard with your arms facing inwards
If you’re a working adult, odds are you spend most of your time in front of a laptop or computer, typing. If you do, did you know there’s a right way to place your hands and arms while typing? Otherwise, over time, the strain you put on your arms and wrist can lead to tennis elbow as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. To avoid this, you must ensure your…
- Arms are parallel to each other
- Elbows are at 90-degrees
- Fingers are pointed forward, not inwards or outwards
- Wrists should always be flat and straight (like when you play the piano) and not bent downwards
2. Using your laptop in bed
There’s a high chance we’re all guilty of this. After all, what better way to unwind than to catch up on some Netflix in the comforts of your own bed, right? Sometimes, we even fall asleep midway through. However, this does terrible things to both your body and laptop. First off, you’re probably placing your laptop on your bed, or stomach, meaning you’re probably blocking the outlet where heat is released. This will drastically increase the temperature of your laptop and shorten its lifespan. It’s also potentially hazardous!
As for your posture, you are obviously either hunching over your laptop or lying down with your neck bent forward. Whichever it is, these uncomfortable positions can lead to:
- Chronic neck pain
- Spine problems
- Cardiovascular issues
- Impaired blood circulation, and more
According to the British Chiropractic Association, poor posture impairs blood circulation, forcing your heart to pump harder than usual. This also reduces the amount of oxygen entering your tissues.
Next time, try sitting against your bed frame with a pillow behind you. Place your laptop on a hard surface on your knees bent upwards so your laptop is placed at eye-level.
3. Having mamak food for breakfast
Mamak food is arguably one of the easiest, quickest and cheapest breakfast options any Malaysian can opt for. Order one Milo panas along with a plate of Roti Telur or a packet of nasi lemak and you’re good to go!
However, that seemingly harmless plate of Roti you eat almost every day is 100% flour and was possibly made on a pan covered in cancer-causing recycled oil. Don’t get us started on the amount of sugar that’s found in your Milo panas or Teh Tarik… because let’s face it, saying “kurang manis” never works.
Too much of this type of food can lead to:
- Heart issues
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cancer, and the list goes on!
What’s more, starting your day with such unhealthy foods can cause you to feel sluggish throughout the day and increase your chances of chronic diseases. Instead, try opting for foods high in fibre, protein and healthy fats.
4. Skipping meals or eating at a different time every day
Food is a necessity as it’s where we get our energy and nutrition from. However, being working adults with countless meetings and deadlines to meet, having a proper meal at a fixed time is sometimes a luxury rather than a requirement for us. If you relate to this, you should know that skipping meals or eating at different times can mess with your system.
In fact, it can lead to unhealthy metabolic changes such as elevated glucose levels and delayed insulin responses. Over time, if this happens too frequently, you’ll be at risk of developing diabetes and/or obesity.
5. When your laptop or computer screen is less than an arm’s length away from your face
If your screen is less than an arm’s length away from you, not only are you straining your eyes by looking too closely at your screen, but your arms are probably bent in a very awkward position as well. Aside from this, your head is also probably tilted either downwards or upwards depending on where your screen is placed.
Doing this will most definitely ruin your eyesight and cause you to wear glasses sooner than later. What’s more, putting a strain on your neck by tilting it upwards or downwards often can also lead to Repetitive Strain Injury.
6. Occasionally cracking your neck
For those of you who occasionally suffer from achy or stiff neck and shoulder muscles, cracking or popping your neck every now and then may give you some reprieve. However, did you know that doing so can accidentally tear the arteries near your brain and give you a stroke too? Even the occasional neck massages from your barber can be lethal!
One wrong move and you can tear your arteries or end up with severely damaged nerves which can also lead to breathing difficulties and so forth. Best case scenario, you’ll end up with permanent joint issues in your neck.
That’s why, it’s always better to avoid cracking your neck and instead, do some light stretches by turning your head (slowly) towards different directions every once in a while.
If that still doesn’t help, you can try applying a neck and shoulder rub to ease the discomfort and help you avoid cracking your neck.
Hehehe, this may be promotional but it’s a really good product ok! We’ve tried!
And that is the Tiger Balm’s Neck and Shoulder Rub!
Especially if you’re someone who’s guilty of most, or all, of the above situations, you probably really need this rub to soothe the stress and aches in your neck and shoulders.
Why people the Tiger Balm Neck and Shoulder Rub:
- It is non-greasy
- It comes with a pleasant and soothing scent
- Applying this is as good as going for a relaxing massage. Seriously!
In fact, if you think you need something with a bit more kick, you can give their Tiger Balm Neck and Shoulder Rub Boost a try! This is for all of you who need a stronger massage with more oomph on busy and hectic days.
Check out this video below to find out more:
Sounds amazing leh?
Find out more about Tiger Balm by checking out their website, following them on Instagram or liking their Facebook page!