We all have those bad habits that we are aware of and that we try to make a conscious effort to break, however, some bad habits are not so obvious as biting your nails or drinking too much soda. 

Here are some common, seemingly harmless bad habits that you may be doing that you may not even realize are negatively impacting everything from your skin to your sleep. 

Skipping Breakfast: Having an early morning class can lead to a rushed morning in which you grab some coffee and go without eating breakfast, however, not eating breakfast is a bad habit to accidentally fall into.  When you do not eat breakfast in the morning, you don’t jump start your metabolism. It can often lead to overeating throughout the day -- both can lead to weight gain. You are also likely to have less energy as you go through your classes, which will make it difficult to concentrate. Grabbing a granola bar or piece of toast before you run out the door is an easy way to break the habit of skipping breakfast. 

Not Removing Makeup. Everyone has had a late night where you just fall into bed without taking your makeup off, however, getting into a habit of not taking your makeup off before you go to bed is not healthy for your skin.  Not taking your makeup off, especially foundation, and not cleansing your face before you go to sleep causes your pores to get clogged and bacteria to develop, which can lead to an unclear complexion. Regularly leaving your eye makeup on while you sleep can also cause your eyes to swell.  By simply taking your makeup off before you go to sleep and washing your face, you can avoid these negative side effects and keep your skin healthy, clean and looking its best.

Sleeping in Contacts. Along with forgetting to take your makeup off, many people often find themselves falling asleep with their contacts in. Sleeping in contacts can become an accidental habit as the only negative effect you notice is dry eyes in the morning, however, this is not the case. According to experts, sleeping in your contacts can lead to serious eye infections that may permanently reduce your vision or can even cause you to have an allergic reaction to your contact lenses. So next time you find yourself dozing off, remember to take your contacts out to keep your eyes free from infection.

Using Technology Before Bed. Using technology right before you go to sleep is another habit that many people do without realizing the negative impact it has. Experts have found that staring at technology, like computers, your smartphone or the television, can make it difficult for you to get a good night's sleep. This is due to the fact that these technologies give off a light that can actually decrease your melatonin levels, which makes you sleepy. Whether you are doing some last-minute homework on your computer, shopping online or simply texting on your phone, it is recommended that you stop using these devices at least an hour before you plan to go to sleep to ensure that you can get a full night's rest.

Never Wearing Sun Screen. Wearing sunscreen while you are at the beach is great, but what many people do not realize is how important it is to make wearing sunscreen a part of your everyday routine -- even now during the cold, winter months. Whether you are just walking to class or going on a jog around campus, it is important that you apply sunscreen to the parts of your body that are going to be exposed to the sun as even the smallest amount of sun exposure can increase your risk of getting skin cancer in the future. So instead of being in the habit of never wearing sunscreen, try to make a habit of wearing sunscreen everyday. 

Photo courtesy of Apple.com