Mistakes Healthy People Make

The correct answer is: All of the above can increase a person's risk of developing breast cancer. Women who limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight can lower their risk.

The correct answer is: This is false. Skipping breakfast may make you particularly hungry later in the day, which can lead to overeating -- which can put on the pounds over time. People who skip breakfast tend to have less nutritious diets, which can increase the chances of high cholesterol and other risk factors for chronic disease.

The correct answer is: This is false. Dermatologists warn that long-term use of polish can lead to brittle nails that peel or split easily. Plus, most nail polish is toxic, so using it exposes you to toluene, putting you at risk for breathing problems; and benzophenones, which are known carcinogens.

The correct answer is: Experts suggest wearing high heeled shoes for two hours at most. In addition to putting strain on your back, heels shorten your Achilles tendon and increase your risk of bunions, hammer toe and stress fractures. Tip: Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes to change into so you don't hurt your feet.

The correct answer is: A small daily serving of beef (less than a typical burger) ups your diabetes risk 19 percent. Think that's bad? Scarfing down a hot dog, a sausage patty, or two bacon strips every day boosts diabetes risk by 51 percent!

The correct answer is: This is true. When you don't get enough sleep -- between 7 and 8 hours a night -- your blood pressure rises, your blood sugar rises and the risk of having a heart attack increases.

The correct answer is: According to a study by the American Cancer Society, people who slept too much had a higher risk of death over six years. Specifically, the risk of death increased by 34 percent for people who slept for ten hours a night.

The correct answer is: According to one study out of Canada, people who worked non-traditional hours were almost 25 percent more likely to have a heart attack and 5 percent more likely to have a stroke than people who worked day jobs or didn’t work at all.

The correct answer is: All of the above are side effects of chronic stress. It can also lead to high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack, poor sleep, diabetes, hair loss and possibly even cancer.

The correct answer is: This is true. Animal research suggests that fatty, sugary, high-calorie foods cause weight gain because they stimulate fat-storage genes. In the animal study, an unhealthful diet didn't just increase body fat. It encouraged fat storage in the liver, too.

The correct answer is: All of the above. Being even just a little dehydrated can lead to unpleasant feelings such as fatigue, crankiness and foggy thinking. When you feel yourself dragging, grab a tall glass of water. Another plus of water: people who drink it throughout the day consume a whopping 9 percent fewer daily calories.

The correct answer is: This is false. Biting your nails can introduce germs and bacteria from your mouth to your nails, where they can cause infection. Nail biting can also break the skin around your nails and cause hang nails, which increases your chances of infection.

The correct answer is: If you don't change your gym routine you'll hit a plateau. The body is very adaptable, and once it becomes efficient in performing a movement it exerts less energy. Thus, you burn fewer calories, and your weight loss slows.

The correct answer is: This is true. According to one report published in the journal Science, social isolation is as significant to mortality rates as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and lack of physical exercise. In fact, when age is adjusted for, social isolation is as great or greater a mortality risk than smoking.

The correct answer is: This is true. One explanation is that use of alcohol induces or increases the production of an enzyme that breaks down alcohol and other foreign substances, often creating carcinogenic compounds in the process. A second explanation for the higher incidence of cancer among heavy drinkers is that alcohol itself contains low levels of cancer-causing substances.

The correct answer is: Proper nutrition is a major barrier people face when trying to improve their fitness levels. Your body is similar to the engine in your car. If you give it the right fuel, it runs well. If you give it the wrong or inadequate fuel, it may still run, but there will be more breakdowns. Poor nutrition doesn't provide the body with the necessary energy to run at peak efficiency.

The correct answer is: The American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults should not exceed 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day. Thiat's between 1/2 and 3/4 of a teaspoon of table salt. Too much sodium can increase your blood pressure and your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

The correct answer is: This is false. Drinking two or more diet beverages a day can actually increase your waistline by as much as 70 percent more than people who didn't drink diet soda, according to a study by the University of Texas School of Medicine. Artificial sweeteners generally have a sweeter taste than sugar, which can lead to more cravings for sweeter treats. Plus, diet drinkers tend to think they can eat more because they are “saving” on calories. This leads to weight gain, which increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and various cancers.

The correct answer is: This is false. According to Susan Evans, MD, no matter how clean you try to be, you are going to be exposed to some germs. Your body needs to learn how to fight those intruders. Instant hand sanitizer is great to have on hand for times when it is needed. However, you shouldn’t feel compelled to use it constantly.

The correct answer is: The best way to clean your ears is to use a washcloth to wipe gently around the crevices. Ear drops and ear irrigation systems are also safe as long as you use them according to their directions. Avoid cotton swabs because they may push earwax into the canal where it can cause conductive hearing loss. Cotton swabs can also cause injuries to the ear if they are shoved too far into the ears.