Clean habits are our best defence against germs, viruses and ill health. Whether we're aware of it or not, certain undesirable seemingly harmless habits can affect our immune system, leaving us more open to infections and sickness.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says we touch our faces about 23 times every single hour. Fiddling with your eyes, nose, mouth or even ears while out and about, with unwashed hands, can easily invite unwanted bugs. CDC warns, 'Think before touching your face. Your hands can make your face dirty... Unwashed hands can easily spread germs'.
Putting grimy fingers in your mouth can lead to colds, flu and falling ill quicker than you’d think. Gnawing on your nails doesn’t just look messy, it can harm your teeth over time, states Healthline.
Picture this: You just sat down after a long commute and to relax have flipped off your footwear to massage your aching feet. But your feet can't be clean. According to ScienceAlert, they are home to billions of bacteria. Remember to wash your hands after you give yourself an impromptu foot rub (if you must) and not spread germs from your feet to your face. And wash your feet with soap when you get home.
Each year, contaminated water claims around 1.4 million lives, according to WHO's 2023 data. Drinking untreated or 'raw water' can expose you to deadly diseases like cholera, typhoid, dysentery. Safe, clean water is essential, not optional.
There is no magical number for how many times to wash hands daily. Says Cleveland Clinic: 'It’s recommended to wash your hands (for 20 seconds) before and after eating, after using the bathroom, or changing a diaper, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. It’s also a good idea to wash up if you’ve touched garbage or been out in public'.
Drinking water and liquids from plastic bottles can expose you to microplastics, which may disrupt hormones, weaken immunity, cause inflammation. We unknowingly ingest about a credit card’s worth weekly, says CNN.
Wearing unwashed socks or underwear invites odour, irritation, and fungal infections. The American Cleaning Institute advises washing after each use, while bras can be worn 2–3 times before washing.