1. Heel Hype…

When was the last time you wore heels? Last night? More of us than ever are choosing to wear heels on a daily basis, and it’s bad news for our health. While we’re all imagining looking like Victoria Beckham, we’re actually causing havoc for our posture, putting pressure on our joints and increasing our risk of arthritis, hammer toes, back pain and tendon injuries. That’s before heel related injuries are taken into account, too. For best results, limit your heels to 1.5 inches during the day, and don’t wear heels without insoles. Give your feet some downtime, too – you can get some supercute flats these days! This is one of the key female health habits to kick to the curb this year!

2. Makeup Mistakes…

We spend hundreds of dollars on our makeup each year, so it’s no surprise that we want to get maximum wear out of it… but sleeping in makeup is a bad idea. Along with all the oil and dirt that naturally accumulates on skin during the day, leaving makeup there is a quick route to clogged pores, spots and congested skin. It’s a leading cause of eye irritation, infection and bloodshot eyes. Ew.

3. Lighten Your Load…

When was the last time you weighed your handbag? I’m serious. Random weighings at train stations have shown that women tend to carry super-heavy bags with them, and they don’t even realize how heavy they are. The average women hauls around a few pounds of extra weight on their shoulders each day, and while you might not be feeling the pain right now, it can lead to serious back and neck problems. Give it a rest by switching to a smaller bag and getting rid of non-essential items.

4. Drink Dares…

Going out with the guys? Don’t feel that you have to keep up. Not only do women weigh less than guys, but they have less body water to dilute alcohol, meaning that they get drunk far quicker. To minimize the risks of drinking, keep within the recommended guidelines, and have a glass of water or squash every now and again. Even a cheeky sparkly J20 is totally fine. Your head will thank you in the morning!

5. Bra Bores…

70% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Yep, you read that right. 70%! A badly fitting bra doesn’t only make your clothes look weird, but it can cause a range of issues, including back, neck and boob pain, breathing difficulties, poor posture, skin irritation, IBS and circulation problems. Don’t guess your size – get properly measured, and be clued up on what your measurer should be doing.

6. Worrying Woes…

Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from stress. We are natural worriers, and we harbor regrets far more often. While there are biological reasons for this, it is damaging to both our physical and mental health. Make sure you let go of stress and have some downtime as often as possible, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

7. Fridge Raiding…

When was the last time you raided the fridge for reasons other than hunger? Boredom, tiredness, sadness, anger… emotional eating is more common than ever, and women are the typical sufferers. We’re also twice as likely to reach for sweet, calorific foods. Rather than letting your waist suffer, try to distract yourself by doing something distracting like painting, or going for a run. Replace one female health habit with a much better one!

Of course, these female health habits have set in over years, and it’ll take a conscious effort to kick them out. We’ll all have to lose the shoes occasionally, ditch the huge bags and make an effort to get measured, as well as swerving the fridge on hard days… it’s well worth it, though. And put some makeup wipes next to the bed, just in case. What not-so-healthy habits do you plan to kick this year?