What to Avoid for a Healthy Lifestyle: The 10 Bad Habits

Health Risks
Written By Northern Wellness
A napkin on a desk that reads: "Break bad habits -> build good habits" beside a cup of coffee and a pen.
 
 
 
 

Why What You Stop Doing Matters

A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about green smoothies and gym memberships. It’s also about knowing what to remove from your daily routine.

Too often, we focus only on what we should add to our lives — more exercise, more vitamins, more steps, more superfoods. But what if the real reason you’re tired, bloated, foggy, or stressed has more to do with what you’re still doing that’s quietly working against your health?

In this post, we’re going to look at the 10 worst unhealthy lifestyle habits — the kind of bad habits that affect your health every single day. These are things most people normalize or ignore, even though they drain your energy, disrupt your hormones, and set the stage for long-term issues.

You’ll not only learn what to avoid for a healthy lifestyle, but also how to take the first step to replace each habit with something better — without overhauling your entire life.

And if you’re wondering how to start feeling better while breaking these habits, we’ll also introduce the Youngevity Healthy Start Pak — a complete health supplement that delivers 90 essential nutrients to help you rebuild from the inside out.

 

1. Chronic Stress: A Health Habit to Avoid

Why it matters:

Stress isn't just mental — it’s deeply physical. When your body stays in a constant state of “fight or flight,” it releases high levels of cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, this suppresses your immune system, disrupts your digestion, drains your energy, and throws off your sleep and hormones.

Chronic stress can lead to serious long-term issues like inflammation, high blood pressure, anxiety, weight gain, and even hormone imbalance — even if everything else in your lifestyle looks “healthy” on paper.

And here’s the thing: many people don’t even realize they’re in a constant stress state. You get used to the tight chest, racing thoughts, and always being “on.” But your body doesn’t. It pays the price in silence.

First step to change:

You don’t need to book a retreat to start calming your system. Begin with just 10 minutes a day of intentional downtime.

That could be:

  • A walk without your phone

  • 10 deep belly breaths

  • Writing in a journal

  • A few quiet minutes with your coffee in the morning — no emails, no news, no pressure

The goal is to send your nervous system a signal: you’re safe. This is where healing begins.

 

2. Eating Primarily Processed, Packaged Foods

Why it matters:

It’s no secret that processed foods aren’t doing your health any favors. But most people underestimate how much of their diet is made up of these “convenience” options — snacks, frozen meals, energy bars, takeout, and even many so-called “healthy” packaged foods.

Processed foods are often packed with:

  • Added sugars

  • Inflammatory seed oils

  • Preservatives and artificial ingredients

  • Low-quality, hard-to-digest ingredients

  • Little to no real nutrient content

Over time, these foods damage your gut lining, spike your blood sugar, and leave your body running on empty — even if you're eating plenty of calories. They're one of the biggest contributors to chronic inflammation, digestive issues, and energy crashes.

First step to change:

You don’t have to overhaul your entire pantry overnight. Start by replacing just one processed meal or snack per day with something real and whole — like:

  • Scrambled eggs and avocado

  • A smoothie with fruit and nut butter

  • Leftover roasted veggies and protein

  • Greek yogurt with seeds and berries

Pick something you enjoy and can stick with — your energy and cravings will begin to shift naturally.

 

3. Masking Fatigue With Stimulants (Caffeine, Sugar, Energy Drinks)

Why it matters:

Feeling tired all the time doesn’t mean you need more coffee — it usually means your body is asking for support.

When we’re low on energy, it’s easy to reach for quick fixes like caffeine, sugary snacks, or energy drinks. And while they might give a temporary boost, they don’t fix the root issue — they mask it.

Over time, relying on stimulants:

  • Worsens fatigue by stressing your adrenals

  • Disrupts your sleep cycle

  • Depletes key nutrients (like magnesium, B vitamins, and potassium)

  • Leads to blood sugar crashes and mood swings

Eventually, you’re left needing more and more just to feel “normal.”

First step to change:

Start by replacing just one stimulant per day with something that supports real energy. Try:

  • Drinking a full glass of water before your morning coffee

  • Having a protein-rich snack instead of a sugary one

  • Going for a quick walk when you hit the afternoon slump

  • Adding in foundational nutrients — like those found in the Healthy Start Pak — to help your body rebuild what stress and stimulants deplete

Long-term energy comes from restoring balance, not pushing harder.

 

4. Poor Sleep Habits Treated as Normal

Why it matters:

Inconsistent bedtimes, late-night scrolling, working late, or crashing on the couch with the TV on — for many, this is just “normal.” But when you treat poor sleep as no big deal, your body pays the price.

Sleep is when your body does its deepest healing. When it’s disrupted, even slightly, it affects:

  • Hormone production (especially cortisol and melatonin)

  • Blood sugar regulation

  • Hunger cues and cravings

  • Mood, memory, and focus

  • Immune function

Sleep debt doesn’t just make you groggy — it increases your risk for weight gain, anxiety, depression, and chronic disease.

First step to change:

Start with a simple wind-down ritual — 30 minutes before bed, reduce stimulation. That means:

  • No screens (phone, TV, laptop)

  • Dim the lights

  • Avoid snacks or sugar

  • Try light stretching, a warm shower, or reading a physical book

The goal is to signal to your brain: it’s time to rest.

Get that part right, and so many other things start falling into place.

 

5. Eating Too Late or Grazing All Day

Why it matters:

Your body thrives on rhythm. When you eat constantly throughout the day — or have heavy meals late at night — you disrupt your natural digestive cycle, blood sugar regulation, and even your sleep.

Here’s what happens when you eat too often or too late:

  • Insulin stays elevated, making fat burning difficult

  • Your digestive system doesn’t get time to rest and repair

  • Blood sugar fluctuations can cause energy crashes and irritability

  • Eating late can interfere with deep sleep and overnight detoxification

The modern habit of snacking all day and eating big meals close to bedtime is one of the most overlooked factors in poor energy, weight gain, and bloating.

First step to change:

Try implementing a cut-off time for eating — ideally, stop 2–3 hours before bed.

Also, aim for structured meal times instead of constant grazing. Start with:

  • Three balanced meals

  • No snacks unless you're truly hungry

  • Plenty of water between meals

Let your body rest between eating — it’ll thank you with better digestion, clearer thinking, and deeper sleep.

 

6. Nutrient Deficiencies: A Silent Health Threat

Why it matters:

You might be eating enough — even eating “healthy” — and still be undernourished.

Modern diets, even clean ones, often fall short on essential nutrients. Why?

  • Food today is grown in mineral-depleted soil

  • Processing strips away vitamins and enzymes

  • Chronic stress, poor sleep, and medication use deplete what your body does absorb

  • Gut issues reduce absorption even more

The result? Low energy, brain fog, mood swings, slow recovery, hair thinning, poor sleep, and immune issues — all rooted in missing nutrients your body can’t function without.

Nutrient deficiencies are a hidden epidemic, and they don’t fix themselves.

Healthy Body Start Pak™ 2.5 Healthy Body Start Pak™ 2.5 Healthy Body Start Pak™ 2.5
Sale

First step to change:

Begin with a daily supplement for foundational health — something that covers your bases while you improve your diet and lifestyle.

The Youngevity Healthy Start Pak delivers:

  • 90 essential nutrients — including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids

  • Support for energy, digestion, sleep, and immune health

  • A simple, comprehensive way to help your body rebuild

You don’t need a dozen pills and powders — you need a strong foundation. This is it.

 

7. Being Sedentary by Default

Why it matters:

Even if you hit the gym a few times a week, sitting for hours every day can still damage your health. The human body was built to move — regularly, not just in one 60-minute workout.

When you’re sedentary for most of the day, it leads to:

  • Slowed circulation and lymphatic flow

  • Decreased insulin sensitivity

  • Reduced metabolism and muscle mass

  • Higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even depression

“Active” doesn’t mean you have to be an athlete. It just means interrupting stillness consistently.

First step to change:

Start standing up and moving every 30 to 60 minutes, even briefly. Set a timer if you need to.

Try:

  • A few stretches at your desk

  • A walk around the room

  • 10 bodyweight squats or shoulder rolls

  • Walking during a phone call

These micro-movements add up — and they can make a bigger difference than you think.

 

8. Letting Negative Self-Talk Run Your Health

Why it matters:

Your mindset isn't just a mood — it has real, measurable effects on your body. When you constantly criticize yourself, feel like you’re failing, or operate from stress and self-judgment, your body stays in a low-grade fight-or-flight state.

This kind of inner dialogue can:

  • Elevate cortisol levels

  • Disrupt sleep and digestion

  • Increase inflammation

  • Lower your motivation to follow through on healthy habits

In other words, your thoughts can directly affect your hormones, immunity, and recovery. And most people don’t even notice the damage because it’s happening silently, in their own heads.

First step to change:

Start by noticing one negative thought today — and reframe it.

For example:

  • “I’m always tired” → “I’m learning what my body needs to feel better.”

  • “I’m never consistent” → “Every small win counts, and I’m building momentum.”

You don’t have to be relentlessly positive. Just more supportive.

Your body will respond to that shift more than you realize.

 

9. Poor Gut Health: What You're Overlooking

Why it matters:

Your gut is more than a digestive system — it’s the command center for your entire body.

When your gut is out of balance, it affects:

  • Nutrient absorption

  • Immune response

  • Inflammation levels

  • Hormone regulation

  • Even mood and mental clarity

But most people ignore gut health until symptoms become unavoidable — things like bloating, fatigue, food sensitivities, irregularity, or skin issues. And by then, the imbalance is usually well established.

Gut damage often comes from the habits we’ve already covered: processed food, stress, poor sleep, stimulants, and nutrient deficiencies.

First step to change:

Start with one gut-supportive habit:

  • Drink more water (especially first thing in the morning)

  • Eat a serving of fermented food (like sauerkraut or kefir)

  • Take a high-quality digestive support supplement like what’s included in the Healthy Start Pak

When your gut is strong, everything else works better — energy, immunity, even how you handle stress. It’s a foundational piece most people miss.

 

10. Waiting Until Something’s Wrong to Take Action

Why it matters:

This is one of the most common — and costly — health habits: doing nothing until something hurts, breaks, or forces you to stop.

But symptoms don’t appear out of nowhere. Fatigue, poor sleep, bloating, mood swings — they’re all early warning signs that your body is off balance. If you ignore them, small issues can turn into chronic conditions.

The truth is, most health problems are easier to prevent than they are to fix. But waiting until it’s “serious” often means more time, effort, and cost to reverse the damage.

First step to change:

Pick one habit from this list and start changing it this week — even in a small way.

Don’t wait until your body forces you to pay attention. Prevention isn’t about being perfect. It’s about listening earlier, supporting smarter, and acting sooner.

If you’re not sure where to start? Begin with the basics: better sleep, more water, and foundational nutrition like the Healthy Start Pak to cover the gaps your body has been quietly managing on its own.

 

Why Foundational Support Matters

Healthy Body Start Pak™ 2.5 Healthy Body Start Pak™ 2.5 Healthy Body Start Pak™ 2.5
Sale
Healthy Body Start Pak™ 2.5
from $209.50

Every habit on this list — stress, poor sleep, processed food, inactivity, and more — chips away at your body’s nutrient reserves. Over time, your system gets depleted, even if you’re eating well.

This depletion shows up as:

  • Fatigue you can’t shake

  • Brain fog or mood swings

  • Trouble sleeping or recovering from workouts

  • Weakened digestion or immune function

  • That sense of “I just don’t feel like myself anymore”

Your body was designed to heal and thrive — but it needs the raw materials to do that.

That’s where foundational support comes in.

The Youngevity Healthy Start Pak is a complete health supplement that delivers:

  • 90 essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids

  • Support for digestion, energy, hormone balance, and immune health

  • Nutritional backup for the gaps caused by modern life — even “healthy” lifestyles

If you’re trying to reset your health, but don’t know where to start — this is it.

Not a quick fix, but a true foundation.

 
 

Real Change Starts With Awareness

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. You don’t need to chase every trend or feel guilty for the habits you’ve picked up over time.

What matters most is awareness — knowing what’s holding you back, and making the decision to start letting it go.

These 10 habits aren’t just random wellness tips. They’re the real reasons so many people feel tired, foggy, inflamed, or stuck — even when they’re trying to “be healthy.” The good news? Every one of them is changeable.

  • Start with one shift.

  • One new rhythm.

  • One better choice.

And if your body needs help recovering from the wear and tear of those habits? Support it from the inside out with real nutrients, real rest, and real foundations.

The Healthy Start Pak 2.5 is a powerful way to start strong — to give your body what it’s been missing, and make your next health chapter your best one yet.

 

FAQ – What to Avoid for a Healthy Lifestyle

How do I know if my lifestyle is unhealthy?

Common signs include constant tiredness, brain fog, poor digestion, frequent illness, mood swings, and poor sleep. These can all point to habits that aren’t serving your health — and may signal nutritional deficiencies as well.

What are the worst habits for your health?

Some of the worst habits include chronic stress, poor sleep, relying on processed foods, not getting enough nutrients, and being sedentary. These habits can lead to fatigue, hormone imbalance, inflammation, and long-term illness — even if you think you’re otherwise “healthy.”

What habits make you feel tired and run down?

Skipping sleep, eating late, sitting too long, stressing out, and running on caffeine can all leave you drained. These patterns deplete your energy and disrupt your system — and they often go unnoticed until symptoms set in.

What should I stop eating to be healthier?

Start by cutting back on packaged foods, sugar, fried snacks, and anything with artificial ingredients. These foods overload your body and offer little in return. Choose whole, nutrient-dense options instead.

What foods should I avoid for a healthy lifestyle?

Avoid highly processed foods, sugary drinks, refined carbs, and chemical preservatives. These are linked to inflammation, poor digestion, and chronic fatigue — and they often displace the real foods your body needs to heal and thrive.

Why do I feel tired even when I eat healthy?

You might still be low in essential nutrients. Even clean diets can lack key vitamins and minerals due to food quality, stress, and gut absorption issues. The Healthy Start Pak helps fill those gaps with 90 essential nutrients to support real energy and balance.

How do I get healthy fast?

Focus on removing what’s dragging your body down — processed food, late-night eating, poor sleep, and stress. Then, add in hydration, movement, and nutrient support. Even small changes can create a noticeable shift quickly.

How can I reset my body and feel better?

Cut sugar, alcohol, and processed foods. Prioritize rest, whole foods, hydration, and foundational supplements like the Youngevity Healthy Start Pak to help your body reset and repair.

What’s the easiest way to start being healthy?

Start with one change — like going to bed earlier, drinking more water, or taking a high-quality supplement. You don’t need to do everything at once. Consistency beats intensity every time.

Do I really need supplements if I eat well?

Most people do. Today’s food often lacks the nutrients it once had, and stress, toxins, and gut issues increase your needs. The Healthy Start Pak provides broad-spectrum support to help your body function at its best.

Should I take supplements if I’m trying to be healthier?

Yes — especially when you're breaking bad habits. The Healthy Start Pak is a complete health supplement that helps support digestion, energy, and recovery. It gives your body the essential tools it needs to rebuild and stay resilient.

 
 
Northern Wellness

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube

https://www.northernwellness.ca/
Next

Best Chewable Vitamin C Tablets in Canada (500 mg)