6 Habits You Thought Were Healthy That Are Not

Six seemingly healthy daily rituals that you need to
change
The commercials sold you to the hand sanitiser and the
bottled water. But are they really good for you? Experts
argue not. Turns out several of the habits we have
cultivated over the years, from being wary of germs to
brushing teeth after every meal are not only
unnecessary but could actually rob us of good health in
the long term. Read on to find out how.
Brushing after meals
Obsessed with your pearly whites, you have taken to
brushing your teeth after every meal. But your mommy
told you only to brush your teeth twice a day — before
breakfast and before bedtime. Turns out she was right.
Dental experts say that rushing to the bathroom
immediately after a meal is not good for your teeth.
The breakdown of food in the mouth leaves an acidic
residue which weakens the enamel the protective layer
on the teeth. Brushing the teeth when the enamel is
weak, can strip the enamel permanently, causing tooth
sensitivity.
Instead: It’s a good idea to wait for at least an hour
after the meal before reaching out for the toothbrush. If
you must dislodge food particles that remain after
eating, rinse your mouth with water.
Using the hand sanitiser
Do you have a habit of reaching out for the hand
sanitiser each time you touch the handle on the train,
especially after the last person to hold it was a
noticeably sweaty commuter? You might be doing
yourself more harm than good.
While hand sanitisers are a convenient method of
cleaning hands and getting rid of germs, it’s important
to use them properly. According to a research
conducted by University of California Davis, US, most
hand sanitisers contain a chemical called triclosan
which gets absorbed easily by the skin. As it enters the
blood stream, it disrupts cell communication necessary
for muscle coordination. Long term use can leave the
skin dry and cause problems such as infertility, early
puberty and poor heart function.
Instead: When possible, use the time-tested method of
washing your hands with soap and water.
Ditching weights for cardio
Nothing is as good as a run or swim in the morning.
Especially if compared to lifting weights at the gym.
While this could work if your aim is just to stay fit, if
you plan on losing weight, you need to stop being
exclusive with the cardio.
The body gets accustomed to the same type of exercise
and stops burning calories. Celebrity trainer Satyajit
Chaurasia says including some weight training along
with cardio is the fastest way to lose weight and gain
muscle mass alongside. “Alternating between cardio
and strength training keeps the heart rate up while also
giving the whole body a workout. It keeps the body in
shock and doesn’t let it get used to a particular type of
routine, where burning calories becomes stagnant.”
Instead: If you are an outdoors person and don’t like to
join a gym, Chaurasia suggest that you find a bench
and a pair of dumbbells. “For beginners, these will be
enough to work your upper body,” he says.
Changing your cosmetics
The luxe cosmetic brand just announced a new product
and you have already bought the new bottle of cream,
ditching it for the tube you just bought last month.
While pumping money into a new skin-care product is
bad for your wallet, it also does great harm to your
skin.
Dermatologist Dr Manohar Sobhani says, “The human
skin has a pH (potential Hydrogen) level of 5.5.
Cosmetic makers differ from each other on the pH
value of their products. When people, who have
sensitive skin, experiment with products of varied pH
values, it may result in red, patchy or inflamed skin. For
instance, most soaps have a pH value higher than 5.5
and are alkaline (harsh for the skin).”
Changing cosmetics once every few weeks can damage
your skin leaving it ridden with rash, pimples or acne.
And no, reaching for another product won’t help.
Instead: Sobhani recommends going only for trusted
brands, and always reading the pH value mentioned at
the back of the product.
Wearing flip flops
You are afraid that heels will kill your knees and ankles,
and think flats are the way to go, especially in Mumbai
where the weather permits it. Right? You couldn’t be
more wrong.
Podiatrist and mobility consultant Chaitanya Shah says
flip flops are not good as they do not provide any arch
or structural support to the feet. “While walking, the
toes have to constantly grip the slippers to control and
balance them from slipping out. This alters the natural
foot lift-off and landing and could lead to problems
such as plantar fasciitis — inflammation of the thick
tissue on the bottom of the foot,” he says.
Instead: It is a good idea to wear flip flops at home, but
ditch them when stepping out.
Drinking only bottled water
Bottled water is processed water and has been stri*ped
off minerals. In tropical climates such as Mumbai, it
serves the purpose of hydration. But in the long run, it
can leave your body lacking in essential minerals such
as magnesium, calcium, potassium, silica and sulphate.
These minerals perform various functions in the body
such as energy production and cell and muscle repair.
Instead: Fill your glass with water purified by a filtration
system or carry a bottle from home.

Source: India times