Your spine makes it possible for you to carry out a wide variety of everyday tasks. But did you know that some of your everyday habits can wreak havoc on your spine?

There are 3 primary functions of the spine:

• It protects your spinal cord, a part of the central nervous system that sends information to and fro the brain.

• It makes it possible for you to stand up straight and also maintain balance.

• It enables you to carry out all sorts of motions, from bending, turning to twisting.

Clearly, it’s of utmost importance for you to keep your spine in tip-top shape. And in order to do that, do your best to avoid the following common habits that are known to be bad for the spine:

Lots of Weight-Bearing Exercises

It’s common knowledge that exercising on a regular basis is good not only for the waistline and heart, but also the bones and joints. Experts recommend a combination of aerobic and weight-bearing exercises for best results.

But just like what they say, too much of a good thing is bad — including weight-bearing exercises. Needless to say, refrain from overdoing these exercises. Also, maintain proper form when engaging in them.

Terrible Posture

Whether you are standing or sitting, it is a good idea for you to maintain proper posture. Otherwise, your spine is at risk of aching and also getting misaligned especially if you assume a terrible posture for long periods of time.

Having good posture is not only good for your spine but also knees. What’s more, it is also great for your image as it leaves you looking confident and tall. It can make you look slimmer, too — sitting or standing straight is like having liposuction without undergoing it.

Using a Mobile Phone a Lot

Can’t spend more than 5 minutes without checking out your smartphone? Then you are at high risk of hurting your back, in particular the cervical area which is your neck. This is especially true if you stare at your device’s screen leaning down. Taking lots of calls with your head tilted to the side is a culprit, too.

So what’s the best way to keep at bay spine-related issues associated with excessive use of mobile phone? Use your handy dandy device only when necessary — not only will it fend off neck pain but also prevent headaches, stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance.

Being Sleep Deprived

Speaking of sleep disturbance, failure to get a good night’s sleep can in fact harm your spine. Scientists say that the integrity of some of the structural tissues in your spine depends on your circadian rhythm — if it gets disrupted, those tissues become inflamed.

This is why dealing with your insomnia effectively is of utmost importance if you want to fend off spine-related problems. Working night shifts is also just as bad for your spine as having insomnia, studies say.

Cigarette Smoking

Everyone knows that there are many health and beauty nightmares that may strike due to smoking. If you are a smoker and your spine seems to hurt all the time, then it is your nasty habit that could be the one responsible.

There are a couple of reasons why smoking is bad for your spine. First, it damages the blood vessels — including those that supply oxygen to the cells and tissues of the spine. Second, experts say that toxins found in cigarette smoke can keep the discs in between the bones of your spine from getting enough nutrients.

Wearing High Heels All the Time

It’s true that high heels can make your legs look lengthier. But did you know that being spotted with shoes boasting of heels that go for days is bad not only for your feet, ankles, knees and hips but also the entire length of your spine?

Make sure that you refrain from trying to look like a supermodel every single time if you want to safeguard your spine — from time to time, ditch those high heels and opt for a comfortable pair of shoes that won’t put your spine and many other weight-bearing joints at risk.

Before you go, don’t forget to share this article on your various social media sites to get your family members and friends also acquainted with everyday activities that can put their spine in some form of danger.