Practicing good hygiene isn’t just important for the benefit of those around you—it can impact your mental and even physical health as well. Poor hygiene habits can even potentially affect your lifespan.
Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at four bad habits that could literally take years off of your life.
- Nail-Biting
Biting your nails doesn’t only harm your nails, but it can harm your health too. That’s because bacteria like salmonella and E. coli love to gather under your fingernails because they’re hard areas to clean. That can lead to infections when you transmit that into your mouth. In addition, studies found that HPV (a wart virus) is more common among nail-biters because after the fingers get infected, the warts can be spread from the nails to the lips or mouth.
- Neglecting Your Teeth
Studies show that only 30% of Americans floss daily. The American Dental Association advises that you to two times per day—and with good reason. Flossing keeps gums healthy, fights plaque, and reduces cavities, all things that reduce your risk of gum disease. And researchers have found that those with gum disease have two to three times the risk of having a heart attack or stroke than those with healthy gums.
- Not Washing Hands Long Enough
Thankfully, the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced that we need to wash our hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. But a large chunk of people—25% of Americans as of last October, according to the CDC—aren’t washing their hands at all, which can spread colds, the flu, diarrhea, and other intestinal diseases.
- Poor Posture
Slouching while standing and not sitting up straight can come back to haunt you in your senior years, as poor posture can make the effects of arthritis even worse. It can also negatively affect your mental health and even cause gastrointestinal issues like constipation, heartburn, and an overall slowed digestion.
To learn more about Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://buffalo-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.
