Some dance habits are healthy and positive. For instance, a strong work ethic, constantly striving to do better, and those cute new harem dance pants you've been donning. However, if you're like most dancers, you have some bad habits too; those that you wish you could break. As a dancer, though, the stakes are higher when it comes to these negative habits. That's because they can impact your ability to perform on the stage, as well as practice in the studio.

So, what are some examples of these habits and how can you break them? Here's a look at some common ones:

Not eating enough.

As a dancer, you're an athlete. That means your body needs a healthy blend of key essentials in order to operate optimally. Unfortunately, many dancers will avoid eating enough fat and calories during the day in order to attain or maintain a slender figure. What's worse is that many are even told to do so. But if you're already a healthy weight, then you're really harming your endurance and strength when you don't eat enough. The good news is that with the right foods -- eaten at the optimal times during the day -- you can give your body what it needs without gaining weight.

Eating too much junk food.

You just rehearsed for three hours and your sugar levels are crashing. Do you a) grab an apple or b) dig out that bag of Swedish fish and polish those off? If it's the latter, then you're giving your body a quick burst of energy, but not a lasting one. Not only that, but since sugar is so addictive, you're setting your body up to crave even more of it.

Instead, avoid getting into the position where you're craving sugar in the first place. Rather than rehearsing for three hours straight, practice for an hour and take a break to drink some water and eat a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit. Your body will get the sugar it's craving, plus since fiber takes longer to digest, you'll end up feeling fuller for an extended period of time.

Skipping warm ups.

You and your stylish harem dance pants want to jump right into your routine and start practicing. But dancing without warming up first can be one of the worst habits to fall into. When your muscles are cold and you start dancing in class, you're risking an injury, such as with a strain or overuse.

However, when you warm up first, blood can get flowing and make your muscles more flexible. So make sure before you start dancing, you warm up by jogging in place, doing jumping jacks or walking briskly in place for 15 to 20 minutes. If you have a lot of down time between classes or performances, make sure your continue to move so you can keep your muscles warm.

The same goes for cool down. It's important that you keep moving after rigorous exercise if you want to bring your heart rate down in a healthy way, as well as slow your breathing and avoid dizziness. So, walk for a few minutes after you finish dance class, or do some light stretching, holding each stretch for a good 10 to 20 seconds.

Bad posture from texting and typing in bed.

You just got back from dance class and you have a big paper to due tomorrow. It's tempting to get cozy in bed and work on it on your laptop. But this will cause you to slouch and look down, which does a number on your posture, impacting the connective tissues in your spine. Not only does this cause pain, but stiffness too, which can impact your next dance performance or rehearsal. Instead, always sit in a position where your spine is straight.

The same goes for texting. It too can be damaging to your posture since you're almost always looking down when texting. On top of that, your shoulders are slumped, which puts a lot of added pressure on your spine. Instead, when you're texting, bring your phone up closer to your face.

Going to bed too late.

You're young and think you don't need a lot of sleep to function properly. While you might be able to get through the day without a ton of sleep, you're not going to do your best in dance class or if you're on the stage.

Beyond impacting your energy level and endurance, a lack of sleep can also have an affect on the foods you crave. Your body will want sweets and carbs when you're tired and don't get enough shut eye. On top of that, you'll be more easily distracted and less patient, making you unpleasant to be around. So, aim for at least eight hours -- or even more -- every single night.

Not hydrating with water.

When it comes to staying hydrated during dance class, aim for water, not soda, juice or sports beverages, which offer more in the way of calories and sugar than essential nutrients. While it's ok to replenish your electrolytes with a sports beverage, it's important to be drinking plenty of water too. Even if you don't feel thirsty, take a couple sips of water during each break you have. This will help you avoid muscle cramping and dehydration.

Poor-fitting footwear and dance wear (think dance bra tops).

As a dancer, your feet are one of your biggest assets. While you might be choosy about the dance shoes you wear, if you're less selective with the rest of your footwear, you could put your feet at risk. For instance, thin flip-flops with no support are a popular choice for many people, but particularly damaging to a dancer's feet. In fact, wearing shoes without good support puts added pressure on your foot, causing tendons to stretch in an unhealthy way. As a result, it's harder to retain strength in your feet, as well as your ankles. So look for footwear that's stylish, but also offers good support.

The same goes for the dance apparel you wear. While you might want to fit into a certain size, it's always best to go with what fits you properly. Otherwise, if you buy ill-fitting dance bra tops, for instance, you'll be more focused on adjusting them than on practicing your moves during class time.