Most of the methods to improve your health are pretty straightforward, but the few we will be looking at today are counterintuitive health tips and even downright weird! But, despite how odd they may seem, they work like a charm. So sit tight:
Top 5 strange-but-true ideas
1. Ditch antibacterial soap to avoid illness
Killing germs seems reasonable to prevent illnesses they cause, but using antibacterial soap puts you at risk of developing bacterial resistance in the long run. To make matters worse, regular exposure to certain ingredients in those soaps may cause undesired hormonal effects, as stated by FDA in 2013.
All in all, “antibacterial” soaps have not been proven safe nor more effective than regular soaps for preventing infections. Antibacterial cleanser manufacturers are still to prove that their products are worth using — or even safe to use.
2. Don’t brush your teeth after meals to keep them healthy
Despite what most of us believe to be “proper dental care,” ” brushing and flossing too often can do you more harm than good, especially if you brush immediately after a meal or acidy drink, such as coffee or soda. The acidy components in foods and drinks erode your teeth’s enamel, and brushing immediately afterward helps push the acid deeper into your enamel (and the layer below it, dentin).
To protect your teeth surfaces, rinse your mouth out with water after the meal, then wait out at least 30 minutes before brushing.
3. Consume more calories to shed pounds
Focusing on ingesting fewer calories in every meal is a common but poor strategy for weight loss. Nutritious meals rich in proteins and good fats (think avocados, peanut butter, egg whites, and such) are high in calories, indeed. But they help you feel full and stay satisfied, which means less snacking. No cheat meals and no munching on fast carbs. Do not avoid good food. Avoid tiny, nutritionally poor meals which spike your blood sugar. And make you even hungrier than before (that’s right, fitness bars, we are looking at you!)
4. Drink more water to reduce bloating
One of the main causes of bloating is water retention — which, surprisingly, can be fixed by increasing your fluid intake. Our bodies hold onto water when we are not well hydrated. And release fluids when we drink enough, which may seem contradictory. So, when bloated, make sure to consume plenty of water and fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content. Staying hydrated is the key to keeping your body functioning at its best!
5. Have coffee to improve your nap
Pairing coffee and sleep doesn’t seem like such a good idea. But scientists agree that a “coffee nap” beats “just a coffee.” And “just a nap” in giving a much-needed energy boost. As a result, a coffee nap is quickly becoming a big thing. So how does it work?
After you’ve had a cup of coffee, the consumed caffeine takes more than 20 minutes to kick in fully; if you use this time to have a quick 20-30 minute nap, you will wake up refreshed, revived, and just at the right time to enjoy the caffeine boost at its fullest.
Ready to Give These Tips a Try?
Sometimes it is the weirdest behavior that gets the best results. Following these odd but science-backed tips can contribute to your health and wellbeing! A power nap is best after a caffeine appetizer; introducing high-calorie meals helps you lose weight…
Rick Kaselj MS, is a leading kinesiologist and injury specialist as well as co-creator of the best-selling Unlock Your Hip Flexors program. Rick creates exercise programs that help people heal injuries and eliminate pain, so they can go back to living a full, active, healthy life.
