COMMON HYGIENE MYTHS YOU SHOULDN’T BELIEVE (PART 2)
Some myths you may already have suspected, and some might surprise you, but the more you know, the better able you will be to take care of yourself right away and perhaps it will even take away some of your worries. Welcome to part 2 of our list, here is part 1 if you missed it. Next time you're not sure if you are practicing self-care right, consider these hygiene myths that aren't true.
6. You should be working out at least an hour a day
Regular exercise has great health benefits, but fitting in a workout every single day is not often feasible or even recommended. Everyone needs a rest day to let the body recover. Additionally, any activity is good activity even if it’s a 15-minute walk. Don’t cheat your body out of moving a bit because you think you don’t have enough time for a full workout. Please note, this is not us telling you that excess is not needed. Aim to achieve the minimum of 2.5 hours a week, spread it out as evenly as you can but do not feel you have to work out every single day.
7. Your hair should be washed daily.
Like with showering, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to shampooing. How much you should be washing your hair depends on several factors like your hair type, activity level and how oily your scalp is. For instance, most experts agree that individuals with fine, thin hair may want to shampoo daily, as their hair tends to get oily and greasy faster. Those with thick, curly hair, however, may want to wash their hair less often, as it takes longer for natural oils to coat the strands. These oils can also help curly hair maintain moisture and reduce frizz. Ultimately, it’s about what works best for you. It’s important, however, to avoid using shampoo too often, as it can strip the hair off important oils and leave it dry and brittle.
8. Once you see improvement, you can stop using skincare products.
Once you've gotten the results you want to glow and look younger, you may think you can ditch your products and just enjoy that glow. But you may need to continue using your skincare products after you see results in order to maintain them.
9. You only need to wash your hands after using the bathroom or before preparing food
Hand hygiene is essential for removing bacteria, viruses, and dirt, and preventing them from spreading to other people and objects. We must remember that we can pick up germs from everything we touch, so washing our hands frequently and after doing certain things is very important. Always wash your hands using the seven steps of handwashing for it to be effective.
10. The ‘5-second rule’
Have you ever seen someone drop a piece of food, pick it straight back up, invoke the ‘5-second rule’, and then eat it? Well, the ‘5-second rule’ is a total myth! It doesn’t take 5 seconds for bacteria to jump onto dropped food it is instantaneous. Also, the chance of your floor having no bacteria is slim.
To avoid getting sick, you’re better off erring on the side of caution and throwing any dropped food away, or at the very least, washing it carefully first.
11. “Starving Yourself” can be effective for weight loss
The “starvation diet” significantly cutting down the number of calories you consume in a day may seem like an effective strategy for losing lots of pounds quickly. But in fact, a radical shift in your eating can lead to the opposite result. Eating too little or starving yourself is a very bad idea and it leads to rebound weight gain. This has been a common notion among young teenage girls for a long time. Eat a balanced out low-calorie diet, that will help you to lose weight.
12. Microwaving your food kills nutrients
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that microwaving food reduces nutrient levels. If you use your microwave right, it’s a better way to retain vitamins and minerals as compared to other cooking methods! This is because lesser nutrients are lost from shorter heat exposure, and the minimal amount of liquid needed for microwaving food simply stops nutrients from leaking out.
To best retain the nutrients of your food, cover up your microwave-safe container or bowl with a minimal amount of water. You’ll be essentially steaming your food from the inside. Just remember not to add too much liquid or overcook the contents.
13. Stress cause acne and eczema.
Stress is not the cause of skin conditions like acne and eczema; however, stress can trigger acne and eczema outbreaks. When you’re stressed, oil glands on your face may go into overdrive. This can result in more clogged pores, and hence, acne. Similarly, the release of stress hormones in your body can exacerbate inflammation, which worsens existing eczema.
14. You should always peel fruits and veggies
The skin on fruits and vegetables like potatoes, apples, carrots and citrus fruits are packed with beneficial nutrients. An apple with skin, for example, contains up to 332% more vitamin K, 142% more vitamin A, 115% more vitamin C and 20% more calcium than a peeled apple. Meanwhile, a boiled potato with skin has up to 175% more vitamin C than a peeled potato.
Another added advantage is that the skins of fruits and veggies are high in fiber and can help you feel fuller for longer, which is beneficial for weight loss. If you peel the skins, you are cutting out all these essential nutrients! So skip the extra hassle, don’t let your peels go to waste.
15. Skin conditions are due to poor hygiene.
One of the most common skincare myths is that the best way to treat a skin rash or a breakout of pimples is to wash our skin or face regularly. However, over-washing may worsen skin conditions instead. Using soaps and detergent too frequently can dry out our skin. This causes cracks in the surface of our skin, which bad bacteria can slip into.
If your skin is sensitive, do also remember to use more gentle types of soaps and skincare products. Pink Elephant Cosmetics stocks a variety of skin cleansers that are suitable for different skin types, to keep acne at bay and have a healthy looking skin.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas Holiday Season from Pink Elephant Cosmetics.