11 Things We Don’t Notice That Can Slowly Harm Us

Psychology tells us that some everyday things we do, when done excessively, are eventually harmful to our bodies. That’s why turning things down every once in a while might be a good idea, keeping in mind that sometimes less is more.

Bright Side values a healthy lifestyle for everyone. We listed a few habits we commonly do every day that may threaten our health to remind you that sometimes we should go easy on ourselves.

1. Leaving hot food to cool off

Contrary to popular belief, putting newly cooked meals in the fridge is totally safe. In fact, various bacteria are comfortable growing in temperatures between 40°F to 140°F, also known as the “danger zone.” Refrigerating food immediately prevents bacterial contamination.

2. Exfoliating your skin every day

Skincare is currently experiencing its golden age, where men, women, and even teens have their personal routines. More and more often, people try to achieve glowing skin with facials and exfoliants, but it’s not the case most of the time.

Dermatologists reveal that exfoliating your skin is only recommended at least once a week, as our skin is prone to dryness and sensitivity over time. If you have oily skin, it’s recommended to wash your face 3 times a week.

3. Brushing your teeth more than 3 times a day

There’s no harm in keeping your pearly whites squeaky clean and shiny. However, brushing your teeth a little too much can be the cause of bleeding gums and brittleness, which will eventually lead to gum disease and other oral health problems. 2 minutes are all it takes to get that sparkling smile.

4. Sunbathing for too long

When the sun’s out, tans are about. Getting some sunshine gives us a reason to sprawl outside because it’s a rich source of vitamin D. However, sitting under the sun for too long can make your skin a victim of oxidants and harmful ultraviolet rays that rapidly age and endanger it.

5. Eating out of plastic containers

Grocery shopping for our favorite snacks and eating takeout sometimes share 2 things in common: craving satisfaction and plasticware. It may be convenient, but eating from plastic containers has dangerous chemicals that touch food and drinks.

Plastic also breaks down into “microplastics” that are carcinogenic to humans since they’re essentially tiny particles of plastic that can enter our bloodstream.

6. Using hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol

Some commercials advertise that sanitizers kill 99.9% of germs on your hands, which is partly true. But frequent use of hand sanitizers does more than the usual bacteria-fighting, which stems from skin dryness, antibiotic resistance, or the inability of antibiotics to function anymore.

7. Sleeping on your favorite pillow

We all have that special pillow we prefer to use during bedtime. And sometimes, because of our comfort with using it, we often forget to put it in the laundry to clean it. Dirty pillows can be home to dust mites that cause allergies.

8. Freshening up with some deodorant

Everyday work and activities require our freshest attention. That’s why we resort to antiperspirants to eliminate sweat and help us feel light and fresh throughout the day. But having to stay cool has its downsides. Deodorants mostly contain chemicals that trigger allergies, and some are linked to breast cancer thanks to parabens and diethanolamine.

9. Cooking with a non-stick pan

We can often spot a Teflon pan in every kitchen we visit, as it is very convenient to use. However, the promising non-stick layer in that kitchenware is also toxic when used all the time. When the temperature gets high, the coating breaks down and releases toxic fumes that can put you at risk for various lung diseases.

10. Keeping your receipts

While it’s highly recommended to keep track of your expenses, modern-day receipts on thermal paper actually contain a toxic chemical that’s easily absorbed in our bloodstream. The same component, bisphenol A or BPA, is used in plastics. It is known to disrupt our endocrine gland.

11. Keeping your home spotless daily

Keeping your house squeaky clean almost every day might earn you the title of “neat freak.” But aside from getting rid of germs and clutter, the daily use of home cleaning supplies can endanger your lungs and skin over time.

Which of these things do you usually do often? Which of them were you surprised to find here?