15 Mistakes Healthy People Make

Smart people, not-so-smart moves

You pick healthy food, work out (when you can), and watch your waistline. That means you're healthy right?

Not so fast—many people who are in tip-top shape (for now) have habits or beliefs that can put them at risk for illness or injury down the road.

Read on to learn about these common mistakes, and how you can avoid them.

You always buy organic:

Buying organic is wise for certain foods, but it doesn't make much difference for others. And don't assume that all organic foods are healthier than non-organic options, or that organic equals healthy. Organic choices are usually pricier, for one thing. And organic high-calorie, high-fat granola bars and sugary cereals are just as bad for you as the non-organic version.

You don't socialize enough:

While you may feel virtuous on your long solo runs, don't forget to check in with your pals once in a while. Studies suggest that social networks are good for your health too.

Try to schedule regular meet-ups with friends, whether it's a book club or poker—it doesn't matter. (No need to make it exercise-based, although that's nice too.)

Just connecting with other people, and maintaining those social networks as you age, is good for your health.

You skimp on sleep:

Think it's a good idea to get up at 5 a.m. and hit the gym? Not if you should be sleeping instead. People need at least seven hours of sleep a night for optimal health, and short sleep has been associated with a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, and a reduced immune response to vaccines.

You beg for antibiotics:

Many people ask their doctor for a prescription for antibiotics or antivirals for symptoms that probably would resolve on their own, or just because they fear getting sick.

And some doctors may oblige. But these drugs also carry risks, from contributing to the huge problem of drug resistance to killing off the good bacteria in your body. Let your doctor decide if your symptoms warrant medication, and skip the high-pressure tactics

You're a germaphobe:

We all know people who never leave the house without their hand sanitizer—you may even be that person. And yes, you should wash your hands with soap and water to kill germs that can make you sick.

But evidence also suggests that some germ exposure could steer the immune system away from allergies, and that an overly sterile environment might be bad. (It's called the hygiene hypothesis.) Good bacteria are also key for staying healthy, particularly for the skin, digestive tract. So "fear of germs" does not equal "good health."

You delay medical care:

You’re healthy, so that crushing chest pain has to be heartburn, right? Or weakness and confusion can't be a stroke, right?

Wrong. All too often, people stall or explain away serious symptoms, when in fact; rapid treatment can help prevent permanent heart or brain damage.

Doctors say "time is tissue," meaning the faster you get treatment for a stroke or heart attack the less heart or brain tissue you lose. So don't delay if you have stroke or heart attack symptoms.

You ignore sodium:

You watch your calories. You avoid meals dripping with saturated fat. But sodium? All too often that's the ingredient that gets ignored when weighing healthy options.

High sodium intake has been firmly tied to an increased risk of high blood pressure, and the average American eats well over the recommended amount. Most of the excess sodium we consume comes from packaged and prepared foods, from spaghetti sauce to frozen dinners. Always check nutrition labels for sodium content; the Institute of Medicine recommends people limit their intake to below 2,300 milligrams per day, and 1,500 mg for people 51 and older, African Americans, and anyone with high blood pressure or diabetes.

You lie to your doctor:

Many of us don't tell our doc everything—say, we smoke cigarettes or drink more than we should. Or we may take that prescription with no intention of ever filling it.

But you're better off being straight with your doctor, who can help you find ways to kick the habit or find a treatment you'll actually take (or be able to afford).

If you don't feel you can be fully honest with your doctor, you should look for a new one.

You think you know more than your doc:

With the Internet at our fingertips, we all feel smarter than we did in the past. And well-moderated online forums can be a great resource for helping people with certain health concerns get support and stay informed.

But they are no substitute for a doctor’s advice.

“I think a common mistake is to sort of put more faith in those resources than health care professionals.

You exercise too much:

Pushing yourself is usually a good thing when it comes to physical activity. But your body needs rest, too, especially after an extra-hard work out. Signs that you are working out too hard can be mental and physical, and include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, decreased immunity, muscle soreness, and injury. To keep your workout fresh—and avoid overuse injuries—it's a good idea to vary your routine, and give yourself a day off now and then. "Sometimes, just sitting back and relaxing is better for your body than going to the gym for that hour,”.

You still don't eat your fruits and veggies:

By now, pretty much everyone knows they should be eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Eating plenty of produce helps reduce your risk of heart disease and several types of cancer, and can help you manage your weight too. But just one-third of adults reported eating at least two servings of fruit a day, and only about one-quarter ate three or more servings of veggies daily.

You don't have healthy friends:

Good health habits are contagious, and bad health habits are, too. Several recent studies have shown that obesity, cigarette smoking—even happiness—spread through social networks.

Try to forge friendships with people whose health habits you'd like to emulate and encouraging your friends to join you in healthy pursuits.

You avoid doctors in general:

You know you should eat better, exercise, lose weight, quit smoking—what more can a doctor do to help? A lot. Studies have shown people have a better chance of trying to quit smoking, and succeeding, when a doctor advises them to do so. Doctors can also prescribe medications that can greatly increase quitting success. And while there's unfortunately no safe pill to help people lose weight, a doctor's advice can give you a better chance of succeeding in trimming down as well.

You don't read nutrition labels:

A nutrition label—which contains information on a food's calories, sugar, fat, and sodium content—will tell you the real story about whether those "natural" or "low-fat" foods are actually good for you.

"Just because something is chicken doesn't necessarily mean its low-fat or low-salt”. Be sure to pay attention to the portion size listed on the label, too.

You don't have a primary care doctor:

  "A lot of people don't really have a relationship with a primary care physician or a health care facility," "I think that's a huge mistake."

Finding a physician who you like and trust, and building a partnership with him or her over time, is one of the best things you can do for your health.