6 Health Rules You Can Break

6 Health Rules You Can Break

Katherine Hepburn once said, "If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." That’s not all you could miss. Sometimes following conventional medical advice means losing out on important lifestyle choices, or even better health. Not that the old rules were always wrong, mind you. But let’s face it: times change—technology improves, researchers make breakthroughs. Plus, you have all those personal factors to consider, from family history to your own personality quirks. "Nothing applies to everyone all of the time," says Erika Schwartz, MD, a New York physician and patient advocate. "Unless we constantly reevaluate outcomes, we can’t move forward."

To prove our point, we took a look at six common health rules. See what you might stand to gain by breaking them.

1. Don’t go outside without sunscreen.

Break the rule: Get a little unprotected sun a few times a week.

Why: Limited exposure to sunlight helps stimulate production of vitamin D, a critical nutrient which roughly 40 to 60 percent of Americans now lack. That’s a big problem, since vitamin D helps prevent many diseases, including 17 kinds of cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and more.

Caveat: Don’t overdo it. Depending on where you live and your skin’s tendency to burn, 5 to 10 minutes of sun two to three times a week should do the trick, experts say. And don’t toss your sunscreen completely—you still need it.

2. Expect your period every 28 days or so.

Break the rule: By evening out hormonal levels, several kinds of birth control now make it possible for Aunt Flo to visit only a few times a year, or even stop completely.

Why: Skipping your period means freedom from monthly cramps, bloating, crankiness—need we say more? If you’re nearing menopause, suppressing periods can help you avoid hot flashes and night sweats. And regardless of age, planning your monthly cycles gives you an important sense of control: you can make sure your period doesn’t hit, say, during your honeymoon, or the day you run that half-marathon.

Caveat: You may have some breakthrough bleeding the first few months, and it could be difficult to know if you’re pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you start to have heavy bleeding, changes in vision, or pain in the legs, chest, or abdomen.

3. Drink eight cups of water each day.

Break the rule: Sneak in fluids other ways.

Why: Water is still the best way to keep body cells moist and plump. But many nutritionists now say it’s OK to get your H2O from other sources. Tea, juice—even your morning latte—all count. And five servings a day of fruits and veggies can deliver up to 20 percent of your daily water requirements, plus plenty of extra nutrients. Your best bets: melons, grapes, and citrus fruits, as well as tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots.

Caveat: Watch out for extra calories.

4. Get eight hours of sleep each night.

Break the rule: Aim for seven instead.

Why: When it comes to sleep, experts say there’s no magic number—but seven seems pretty darned close. In fact, getting seven hours of sleep most nights may help you live longer. In a huge study recently published from Japan, researchers followed the sleep habits of nearly 100,000 adults for roughly 14 years. The scientists found that those people who usually slept seven hours at night seemed to have the lowest risk of death from heart disease and other conditions, compared to those who tried to get by on four hours or less and those who snoozed 10 hours or more.

Caveat: It’s all about getting regular, sound rest, so quit trying to play catch-up. Constantly trying to make up for lost sleep can hurt you over time.

5. Eggs are bad for you.

Break the rule: And crack an egg.

Why: For years, eggs have been given a bad rap because they contain cholesterol. But these elegantly packaged, inexpensive gems have a whole lot going for them. Not only are eggs a great source of protein, but they provide carotenoids, which help protect eyesight, plus plenty of brain-boosting choline. And because eggs help you feel full longer than other foods, they may even help you lose weight.

Caveat: As with any food, eat within reason. Most experts say one egg a day is usually safe.

6. The doctor is always right.

Break the rule: Listen to your body, speak up and ask questions.

Why: Taking charge of your well-being can not only give you a healthy dose of confidence, but an accurate diagnosis. "No doctor knows what's going on inside of you better than you do," explains Schwartz, who says she sees many patients, especially women, who continue to believe their doctors know more about them than they do. "Don't be intimidated," Schwartz adds. "Bad care is not acceptable."

Caveat: None.