12 bad health habits and how to fix them

7. Eating too quickly
You don't have time to sit down and have a proper lunch or dinner, so you eat in a hurry.

The effects: Your rushed eating habits can cause acid reflux, bloating and excess gas. "It takes your brain 20 minutes to get the message from your stomach that you're full," says Tsang. So if you inhale your food on a regular basis, chances are you're packing on extra pounds, too.

The fix: Make an effort to really taste what you're eating and appreciate the flavours. Physically take yourself away from your desk to eat lunch, and give yourself at least 20 minutes to enjoy it. To slow down, chew slowly and pause between mouthfuls.

8. Poor posture
You slouch without thinking about it, because it's more comfortable than sitting or standing upright.

The effects: Sitting in a slouched position for more than an hour can give you a tension headache, says Rhonda Kirkwood, a chiropractor in Halifax. Your head weighs about 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) and if it's not squarely above your shoulders, your neck muscles get overworked. That's what causes painful tension headaches.

The fix: The key is switching your position. Shift your weight, lean back and even cross your legs. Then switch to sitting in a proper "back-friendly" position – shoulders back, chin tucked in and elbows relaxed at 90 degrees. Your forearms should be supported by arm-rests as you work. Use work-related activities – such as getting an e-mail or phone call – as a cue that it's time to change positions.

9. Nail biting
Repeated nail-biting is often a subconscious response to stress, giving the brain something material to focus on.

The effects: Because germs are transferred directly from your mouth to your nails, you risk causing inflammation and infection to your nail bed as you chew. In extreme cases, the nail bed is permanently damaged. Nail-biting can cause trouble for your teeth as well: A study in the American journal General Dentistry found that nail-biters may be at higher risk for bruxism – clenching of the jaw that can cause facial pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, recessed gums and tooth loss.

The fix: Keep a nail file handy at all times – in your purse, beside your bed, in the car and at the office. Every time you get the urge to bite, file instead. If that fails, apply a bad-tasting nail polish. Such products, made to help people curb the habit, can be found at major drugstores.

Page 3 of 4 -- Lose the daily weigh-in and you could improve your health! Sound too good to be true? Read on to page 4 for details.