Right from our childhood we are taught by our parents how to behave. They teach us what to do and what not to do. This is really important as it helps instil good habits and discourage bad ones.

After we acquire a certain age, we start making our own choices in life and form habits according to our preferences. We are always looking to inculcate proper behaviours that we consider beneficial for our health, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Image Credits

But bad habits have a way of creeping into our lives even when we try to stay away. Sometimes we just can’t escape the temptations of some things that we know would do more harm than good and yet we are drawn to them like a moth to a flame.

Some bad habits are really dangerous to our health and should be dealt with, with urgency, others, while better avoided, will not do that much harm. And then, there are certain habits that we have come to believe as bad but are actually good for us. Let’s take a look at some of these.

1. Drinking a Lot of Coffee

There have been many conflicting beliefs that drinking coffee can be bad for your health and is something that we just chug in to stay awake and focused to get our work done in the modern fast paced world. Some say it is bad for the heart, some say it stunts growth and some have even as far as saying that it causes cancer!


The truth is drinking coffee is actually beneficial to your health. People seem to take issue with the amount of coffee you drink but studies have shown that not more than 3 cups per day will do absolutely no harm to you whatsoever.

Coffee also contain anti-oxidants which reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also, it increases your exercise endurance and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. 

2. Fidgeting

Image Credits

Fidgeting, be it in children or adults can be really annoying when you are the spectator but fun if you’re doing it yourself. It is often considered rude and thought to be a sign of being unable to focus, especially in a classroom or a meeting.

But believe it or not, when someone is fidgeting, it counts as exercise. That’s right. Researchers classify it as a form of “non-exercise activity thermogenesis”. Studies have shown that we can burn up to 350 calories a day due to the act of fidgeting. 

So, if anyone calls you out while you are bouncing your legs repeatedly, shaking a pen, tapping a desk or cracking your fingers, tell them to bugger off and let you do your exercise in peace!

3. Skipping a Shower

This one seems to go against common sense but is actually true. We associate taking a bath with cleanliness and cleanliness with good health. Therefore if we shower everyday, we are doing one more thing to be healthy.

However, skipping a shower every now and then isn’t very bad for us either. In fact when we bath, we wash away most of the natural oils and good bacteria that help prevent diseases. Also, washing the hair daily can leave it dry and can make your scalp itchy. 

Then there is the matter of helping the environment. On an average we use 65 litres of water every time we take a shower. So skipping one or two every now and then will be good for the environment. 

4. Playing Video Games

Gamers rejoice! Playing video games was the number one reason I got scolded by my parents in my childhood. They were considered a waste of time and something that would lower my grades (thought that never happened).

Anyways, playing video games, especially in children have shown some remarkable benefits. They help boost memory, increase coordination, reduce stress and depression and can sharpen our decision making. All these are traits that are useful for any human being.

Of course, if we overdo it, it is bad which can be really easy since video games are very addictive. But if we manage to play these games in moderation, then it’s not a bad habit playing them everyday, no matter what people tell you or call you (I’ve been called couch potato on several occasions).

5. Sleeping In

Sleeping in makes you a lazy person automatically in the eyes of others. Trust me I know this because I’m a night owl and wake up late everyday (thanks, Steemit). But it is not really a bad habit no matter you do it only on weekends or even everyday.

Today’s world has made us all into undersleepers. We wake up according to the alarm clock and not according to our biological clock (which is the way nature intended). This has had some adverse effect on the state of our mind and also on our bodies.

So, occasional sleep ins are actually beneficial for the body as it helps you catch up on the sleep required by the body. Also, it helps reduce stress, is found to induce longevity and is also helpful in boosting memory. So don’t feel guilty about those late mornings. The bed is your friend.