For too long we humans have been living in fear of common health misconceptions. For too long we have been letting them rule and subsequently ruin our lives. Many people do what we think is right when it comes to our health but it might not be the best thing in reality. No more! Now, it’s time for health education. For example, do you really need to drink 8 glasses of water a day? And are vaccines essential? Separate the myths from the truths and you might just save your own life.
Health Myth #1. Avoidance
It’s better to hide from an illness and hope it fixes itself rather than face it and get it checked — WRONG
It’s better to know of an illness than to be in the dark about it — RIGHT
Too many of us live by the misconception that it is for some reason better to pretend that an illness doesn’t exist, and even ignore the warning signs of it than to get tested or checked for it. But, by living by this misconception you could put yourself in far more danger than you are in already. Pretending you don’t have an affliction and ignoring that it’s there, and subsequently refusing to check or treat it, gives it an opportunity to grow. And, afflictions won’t ever think twice about growing. They’ll grow and grow until they cannot grow any longer. And the only time they can’t grow anymore is when the damage has become irreparable.
So, no matter how scary you think it is, get a checkup from a professional. This could mean getting HIV test info and testing if you believe you have put yourself in danger of contracting the disease. Although not completely treatable, it is still a manageable disease if given the right treatment.
You might also get a test if you think there’s a risk of a hereditary disease. For example, if your parents have a disease that could be passed on, testing can catch it before you even have signs of having it or it worsens. Or this could mean visiting your doctor as soon as you discover a symptom or evidence of disease in your body.
By doing these things, you don’t leave it until it is too late to get treatment. By doing these things, and not burying your head in the sand due to fear, you have a better chance of survival and ultimately a long, happy life ahead.
#2. Health Education about Vaccines
Vaccines do not work. Avoid them at all costs — WRONG
Vaccines ought to be taken, especially by those who are recommended to need them — RIGHT
Whatever misconceptions and conspiracy theories you may hear about vaccines, particularly the flu vaccine, don’t let that stop you from getting vaccinated if it has been recommended specifically to you by a professional health provider.
Living by the common misconception that vaccines do more harm than good, and listening to theories like the one that claims they are given to us by governing bodies to control the population, can put you in real danger of contracting a completely preventable disease. That’s health education 101. By not getting a flu vaccination, for instance, you open yourself up to a whole winter of potentially dangerous exposure to different alignments.
If you send your child to school every day, it’s in the air what kind of illness they will bring home with them. Schools are hotbeds for bugs and germs.
If you go to work every day, then you never know what kind of illness you might come into contact with there. The point is, to remain healthy throughout the harsh winter months, a flu vaccination might be a good idea. Always check with a doctor first to ensure it’s safe for you though.
#3. Can You Have Bad Habits and Still be Healthy?
To be healthy, you must have no bad habits or vices whatsoever — WRONG
You can live a healthy lifestyle and have habits deemed to be unhealthy at the same time — RIGHT
Life is not all black and white. You’ll see that in this section and also in the next section about whether to drink 8 glasses of water a day or not.
You see, it’s not always a case of doing one thing and not doing another one. In life, we all can and do contradictory things. And it’s okay to do this — in fact, doing so keeps life entertaining. And what this means in regards to health education is simple. It means that you can live a healthy lifestyle while still enjoying some unhealthy things. Thus, you don’t need to completely cut all the bad habits and vices out of your life in your quest to be healthy. Specifically, this means that you can still consume alcohol and smoke – But only if you make big adjustments and changes relating to them.
In regards to drinking alcohol, there are safe ways to do it that won’t hamper a healthy lifestyle too much, if at all. These safety tips for drinking include making thorough plans for drinking sessions so that nothing gets left to chance, and then knowing your alcohol tolerance levels as the night goes on. Also, eat a big meal beforehand, continue to eat lighter snacks while you drink, and slow or stop all alcohol consumption when you feel as if it is getting the better of you.
More health education tips regarding drinking are:
- Skip a round of alcoholic drinks and get water instead to get your head back together.
- Don’t drink anything unfamiliar to you
- Avoid mixing different types of drinks during the night
- Only consume drinks with a quality reputation or from a quality brand
In regards to smoking, you’ll have to make even more changes. And the modifications apply to everyday life. One such change is cutting cigarette smoking and tobacco intake down to one a day. Do so gradually and take it day by day. Another idea might be to switch to vapes instead.
With vaping, you can still enjoy your smoking habit, without letting it encroach on your otherwise healthy lifestyle too much. What’s more, you’ll save yourself a ton of cash and protect both your teeth and fingernails.
The reality is that most of us have bad habits and vices. When stresses arise we tend to turn to these habits to cope with the situation.
Yes, it’s okay to have some fun once in a while. But this fun is best when it’s only once in a while.
Do so sparingly and never indulge. That way, they can fit into a healthy lifestyle without hindering it. Of course, to live a 100% healthy lifestyle, it is ideal to cut out unhealthy habits completely. But you can slowly reduce how much you smoke to help make the process easier on yourself, rather than going cold turkey.
#4. Are 8 Glasses of Water a Day Necessary?
You must drink at least 8 glasses of water a day — WRONG
Water has many benefits, but 8 glasses? Not necessarily — RIGHT
Everybody knows the benefits of drinking water, right? It helps the skin, kidneys, and more. But, we don’t need to drink 8 glasses of water a day to enjoy all the healthy benefits. No, our bodies self-regulate fluids, which means we aren’t under as much pressure to drink large amounts of water as numerous people who are “in the know” instruct us. In fact, drinking too much water can lead to health complications. How’s that for health education?
So, if you’re thirsty and want some water, drink some water. if you’re not thirsty, and you don’t want water, then don’t drink it. But 8 glasses of water a day isn’t a hard and fast rule.
There are many myths holding us back from living authentic, healthier lives. So, it’s time to stop letting them lead us astray. It’s time to stop letting these preconceived ideas that we have in our heads guide us. It’s always a good idea to try and learn as much as you can about health, your body, and medical topics. Although you don’t have to be a fully trained nurse to learn the truth about common medical misconceptions, you can get a great deal of useful information by studying at an online FNP school, with the qualification perhaps helping you get a role within the field. Let’s overcome them and live healthily by empowering ourselves through health education.