12 bad health habits and how to fix them

4. Distracted driving
The average commute to work in Canada is over an hour each way, says Cam Woolley, a traffic specialist in Toronto. So it's no wonder we try to cram other things into the drive.

The effects: Driving while juggling other tasks (such as checking your voice mail) will cause your stress level to skyrocket. Even more, you're putting your life in your hands: one tiny mistake while you're distracted could cause an accident. "I've found that most people in Canada overestimate their ability to drive," says Woolley. "It just takes one second. Taking your eyes or hands off the wheel for a bite to eat or to answer your phone can change your life."

The fix: Manage your time wisely, and remember that with weather that can change in a short time, driving in Canada is already dangerous. Never dial or text-message while driving. "There's this trend of dialing a phone, texting, or receiving and answering e-mails while you're behind the wheel," says Woolley. "We tend to think it's no big deal." But doing any one of these things can "seriously reduce your attention on the road – no matter how great you think you are at it."

5. Falling asleep on the couch
After a busy day, falling asleep in front of the TV can be tempting.

The effects: The best rest comes from sleep that is uninterrupted for seven to eight hours, and is in a dark, quiet place, according to Better Sleep Council Canada, a nonprofit organization that educates the public about good sleep health. Regularly drifting off on the couch with a TV in the background, then moving to your bed, keeps you from getting a solid block of Z's. It can also throw off your hormones and metabolism, leading to weight gain and an immune system that is less able to ward off disease. A study done at Laval University in Quebec City found that people who did not sleep soundly for seven to eight hours a night had reduced levels of the hormone leptin, which regulates appetite and lets your brain know when you're full.

The fix: To get uninterrupted sleep, turn off the TV one hour before you head to bed, and give yourself some downtime: talk about the day with your family, listen to music or go for a walk with your spouse.

6. Having coffee with all the extras
With all the add-ons, your coffee is more like a dessert. If you add whipped cream and flavoured syrup, you're heaping on hundreds of extra calories.

The effects: Whipped cream adds about 140 calories, and each pump of flavoured syrup adds another 20, Tsang says. Without these sugary indulgences five times a week, you'll cut out at least 41,600 calories a year – and that's more than 11 pounds!

The fix: If you want coffee, drink it with low-fat milk and skip the calorie-heavy treats.

Page 2 of 4 -- Do you nibble your nails? On page 3, learn how the thoughtless habit could be causing you harm.