Making your bed after waking up, eating five times a day in small portions, applying sunscreen only in the summer - at first glance, these habits are very useful and do not raise any doubts about their need. However, if you look closely, it turns out that these and many other, familiar to us actions, in fact, are not so important. Novate.ru talks about this in more detail.
Habit 1: Making the bed right after waking up
Parents teach us this in childhood, trying, thus, to instill a love of cleanliness, order and orderliness. This makes sense, but the benefits of such actions are questionable. The fact is that making the bed immediately after waking up is very harmful to our health. Dust mites live in any bed - tiny creatures that feed on dead cells of human skin. By themselves, they do not cause serious harm, but their excrement can provoke the appearance of an allergic reaction, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis and other diseases. For example, in 70% of children who suffer from bronchial asthma, tick-borne allergies are found.
Ticks can only reproduce in warm and humid environments - ideally if the temperature is around 25 ˚C and the humidity is over 55%. A heavily sweating body wrapped in a blanket creates perfect conditions for dust mites. So beautiful that about a million and a half of these creatures are present in any bed in the morning. If you make the bed right away without leaving the sheets and blanket enough time to air out, the mite-friendly environment will remain untouched and the harmful creatures will continue their “dirty work”.
That is why experts recommend that immediately after waking up, throw back the blanket, open wide the windows in the room (or put them on airing) and leave everything in this form for at least 20 minutes. It's even better if you can take the blankets and pillows out to the balcony to ventilate the bedding in the fresh air.
Habit 2: Opening the bathroom door for ventilation
Many housewives prefer to keep the doors of the bathroom and toilet open (if the bathroom is separate). They think that in this way unpleasant odors will be dispersed, and high humidity will also be eliminated. In fact, there is nothing good about this habit. Studies have shown that when you press the toilet flush, numerous bacteria and viruses are released into the air. If the doors are wide open, they will enter the kitchen, bedroom or living room and after a while settle on the surface of objects.
Another point is related to the fact that after taking a shower or bath in the bathroom, the level of humidity rises. Your main task is to prevent moisture from spreading throughout the apartment, otherwise mold may appear on the walls, furniture and other surfaces, which, as you know, is very difficult to deal with. The best way to do this is to shower with the doors closed, and then turn on the ventilation so that the excess moisture disappears as soon as possible. By the way, the presence of a heated floor or heated towel rail in the bathroom will greatly facilitate your task.
Habit 3: Covering your mouth with your hand when sneezing
In order not to spread germs through saliva, most people try to cover their mouth with their hand when sneezing, especially if at this time they are at the table or in the company of friends. However, the usefulness of this habit is questionable. Firstly, you will not be able to fully sneeze, as your palm will interfere. Secondly, it will not be possible to completely prevent salivation, and most of the viruses will still escape, despite your efforts. Thirdly, if you do not disinfect your hand with an antiseptic or wash it with soap and water immediately after sneezing, there is a risk of transmitting bacteria to another person through a handshake or touching surrounding objects, such as a door handle.
Virology experts say that sneezing should not be in the palm of your hand, but in the crook of your elbow. You obviously will not greet them, open a door or take any object, so it will be possible to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria. Doctors also advise using disposable wipes, as bacteria can grow in the handkerchief, as a result of which it becomes a carrier of microorganisms.
Habit 4: Cutting your nails too short
Many people prefer not to go to a manicure master every month, but to cut their nails on their own, and make them as short as possible. In their opinion, this will prevent the accumulation and development of bacteria that may be under the nail plates. Alas, this position is incorrect.
By trimming your nails closer to the base, you disarm the soft tissues of your finger. In addition, during this procedure, you can injure the skin. Another risk is associated with the fact that the plate may begin to separate from the skin or, conversely, begin to grow into it. In order not to face such problems, the nails should be cut not too short, leaving about one to two millimeters in length. Start by trimming the front edges of your nails, then file the corners so they don't cling to anything.
Habit 5: Wear sunscreen only in summer
Given the fact that the sun is less active in winter than in summer, many people sincerely believe that SPF cream should only be spent from June to August. However, this approach to skin care is flawed.
The sun's rays are divided into two types: UVB and UVA. And if the former do not penetrate through glass and clouds, and the strength of their effect depends directly on the season, weather and time of day, then the intensity of the latter practically does not change during the day and year. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and break down collagen, thereby causing skin aging and loss of elasticity.
That is why dermatologists recommend keeping a high SPF cream on hand at all times, especially if you have fair skin prone to age spots. Even when it is cloudy outside and there is no hint of the sun, UVA rays still penetrate the layer of clouds and negatively affect the skin, provoking premature aging and the formation of wrinkles. In addition, if in the cold season you actively use care products that contain acids or retinol, then your skin also needs active SPF protection so that age spots do not form.
Habit 6: Drink tea or yogurt immediately after eating
Here's the thing: when you drink tea right after a meal, tannin and protein combine to form a precipitate that affects the body's absorption of protein. In addition, tea contains theophylline, which has the unpleasant properties of impairing the absorption of important trace elements such as zinc, calcium, and iron. If this happens regularly, nutritional deficiencies will develop.
As for yogurt, its use increases the load on the digestive tract, which negatively affects the state of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, take your time to grab your favorite drink immediately after lunch or dinner. Arrange for yourself at least minimal physical activity, for example, take a walk to the store, and after returning to the apartment, make tea or take your favorite yogurt out of the refrigerator. This way you will not interfere with the digestion process.
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