Don't Make These Health Mistakes
You may think you’re being healthier by wearing sunscreen, washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap, and sitting up straight. But are you? You may be making some serious health mistakes. Here are the facts from MSN.com.
- Using anti-bacterial soap. According to the Centers for Disease Control, anti-bacterial soap may be contributing to the rise of stronger bacteria. Why? Because it kills even the friendly bacteria that boost your immunity. And overusing an anti-bacterial soap may help create resistant strains that antibiotics can't kill. So, use regular soap when washing your hands. Studies show it’s just as effective as the anti-bacterial stuff at keeping your hands healthy and clean. And remember to sing the birthday song while you’re lathering up.
- Sitting up straight! A recent study by the Radiological Society of North America found that the so-called “perfect posture” might actually be contributing to back pain. That’s because when you sit up straight, you tend to arch your back, and stick out your tailbone, causing stress on your lower back. So, when you’re sitting, recline slightly to relieve the pressure on your lower back or put a cushion behind you to support it.
- Relying on sunscreen to save you from skin cancer. Why is this healthy habit a bust? Because most people apply sunscreen the wrong way. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people don’t use enough sunscreen when they apply it, so they’re not getting the protection they expect. Make sure you use the equivalent of two shot glasses worth of sunscreen to cover your whole body, and wait at least 30 minutes before you go outside. This allows the active ingredients time to absorb into your skin and start working properly.
