Adulting Made Easy: 40 Remedies For Common Mistakes Most Adults Aren’t Aware Of
By Anthony K
While going about our regular activities of the day, we tend to make unconscious mistakes more often than not. Over time, these tiny mistakes can graduate into severe health complications and other problems. Knowing these mistakes will give you the upper hand in dealing with them. As a result, you will avoid preventable complications and experience optimal health. Although it is difficult to highlight every single mistake, this article explores some of the most common problems we encounter daily. In addition, it offers recommendations on how to deal with such issues should they arise. Read along to understand the mistakes we take for granted every day. Whereas some are avoidable altogether, all you can do is stay smarter to avoid other complications.
1. Applying sunscreen incorrectly
It’s almost impossible to go to the beach without seeing at least one person applying sunscreen. If you’re one of those people, congrats! If not, pay extra attention to this tip. Instead of putting on sunscreen when you arrive at the beach, do it at least fifteen minutes beforehand.
And don’t skimp on the sunscreen. Give your skin a thick-ish coat. The extra few minutes it takes to rub away the white streaks are worth it to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. And, of course, don’t forget to reapply!
2. Not Washing Hands Long Enough
Although some people are good about washing their hands regularly, not everyone does it efficiently to rid their hands of harmful pathogens. In fact, 70% of individuals spend less than 20 seconds washing their hands. While it shouldn’t take too long, hand-washing shouldn’t be too quick, either.
Even after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, not everyone washes their hands the right way. It takes at least 20 seconds to verify that one’s hands are completely free of microorganisms. Twenty seconds with soap and water is cleaner than a spritz of hand sanitizer.
3. Using A Cotton Pillowcase
Various dermatologists advise using silk or satin pillows. When we rub our faces on a cotton pillowcase, we risk causing skin harm. The cotton cloth causes minor traumas to one’s face with time. After a long day, it is only fair that you give your body the excellent rest it deserves.
These minor nighttime injuries might cause collagen breakdown in the face. Chronic creases or wrinkles can emerge as the collagen in the skin deteriorates. Satin and silk materials are not as abrasive or harmful as cotton. Stick to healthy sleeping patterns for a calm and peaceful night’s sleep.
4. Washing A Blender By Hand Or With A Dishwasher
Blenders are great kitchen devices for whipping up a quick morning beverage or a late-night milkshake. However, it is likely that it will not be as clean as you believe after washing. Rather than hand-washing the blender or rinsing and placing it in the dishwasher, load it with warm water and soap.
Then, operate the blender for a few seconds to clean the interior before rinsing it out. And make sure it’s properly rinsed — you don’t want a soapy smoothie. This cleaning method is also safer because you don’t need to mess around with the blades to clean it.
5. Waking Up During A REM Cycle
The human sleep cycle consists of five stages. The one you’ve probably heard the most about is REM, when people sleep the most deeply. If you wake up tired and grumpy, you probably got up mid-REM cycle. For a more energetic morning, try this tip:
Apps that measure sleep or internet websites like startsleeping.org include sleep calculators that give you the best time to sleep to prevent waking up in REM. Using one of these tools can help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day.
6. Putting Laundry Soap Directly on Your Clothes
Pouring the soap directly on top of the clothing in a top-loading washing machine seems logical. However, doing so right after loading your clothes isn’t idea. It is best to wait till the drum is full of water before adding soap to ensure that it is spread evenly.
With this method, you will ensure an even distribution of detergent. In addition, it guarantees that none of your clothes will be stained by pouring soap directly onto them. As a result, you can preserve your washing machine while maintaining your clothes’ integrity.
7. Waiting to Use The Restroom
Sure, everybody needs to use the bathroom, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable to get up to use the restroom mid-meeting. However, not taking those few minutes to visit the bathroom can cause health issues, on top of mild irritation.
Waiting too long to urinate might stretch the bladder, allowing bacteria to proliferate. These bacteria can cause painful kidney illnesses if left untreated for an extended time. Waiting for feces might cause constipation, which can impede your ability to expel waste over time. Be sure to answer when nature calls.
8. Using Mouthwash Too Many Times in A Day
It would help if you used mouthwash as part of your oral hygiene practice. However, it should only be used on rare occasions rather than several times during the day. This is because the chemicals produced by healthy bacteria and microorganisms are washed away.
The body needs these substances to help manage blood pressure and insulin levels. As a result, people who use mouthwash twice a day may risk developing diabetes. Also, consider certain products approved by the FDA to reduce the chances of complications.
9. Hitting Snooze
When your alarm goes off, it’s tempting (and easy) to hit the snooze button to get a few more minutes of sleep. However, in the long run, doing so repeatedly can create more significant sleep interruptions. Rather than hitting the snooze, you should consider turning off the alarm entirely.
When an alarm clock goes off, it disrupts a person’s sleep cycle. After waking up, returning to sleep initiates a fresh sleep cycle. This sleep and nap disruption does not contribute to a feeling of calm. To maintain good sleeping habits, you have to avoid all interruptions where possible.
10. Only Worrying About A Hat in Cold Weather
When the temperature starts to drop, some people go straight for hats and scarves as a way to keep warm. While a scarf may feel like it blocks out the cold, you should focus on covering up your whole body for a healthier trek into the cold.
Don’t neglect to layer your apparel with gloves, thick socks, and proper outerwear in addition to the cap. You’ll be more likely to remain warm if you cover your whole body rather than just your head. Keeping warm is not only comfortable but also ensures your health is optimal.
11. Not Drinking Enough Water
We’ve all heard the suggestion to drink at least eight ounces of water a day. While this may vary from person to person, staying hydrated is important. Dehydration can be harmful to one’s physical and mental health. Mood swings, diminished energy, and exhaustion are just a few effects.
Dehydration also makes it more challenging for the heart to pump blood. Moreover, the body responds to both hunger and thirst in the same way. As a result, if you fail to drink enough water, you can gain weight. Remember to drink water even when you do not feel thirsty.
12. Not Knowing Eating Out Etiquette
Dining etiquette might be challenging to understand. Two significant blunders when eating out are not using the proper fork and not pausing to use a napkin. For the first meal, select the fork on the far left. All silverware is utilized from the outside, with each dish proceeding as it is served.
Another common dining-out blunder is waiting until the first course arrives before placing the napkin in your lap. It is considered decorum to place the napkin on your lap soon as you are seated. You can then proceed to enjoy your meal, knowing you are adhering to proper etiquette.
13. Using Your Smartphone All Day
In today’s world, it’s impossible to escape our cell phones. We use them for work just as much as we do for pleasure. But spending too much time on your phone can have serious health consequences. For one, back problems from poor posture could stem from the overuse of your phone.
Though it would be unrealistic to urge individuals to abandon their phones completely, you must take pauses and maintain correct posture when using them. And give yourself a break every now and then for the sake of your eyes and mental health.
14. Too Many Showers
Nothing beats a pleasant shower to unwind after a long day. Unfortunately, all of these showers have the potential to be dangerous. They can cause your body’s beneficial bacteria to become depleted. Not only that, but it can impair your immune system and cause skin conditions like eczema.
Cracks in the skin can grow due to skin disorders, allowing hazardous microorganisms into the body. Consider bathing, or even washing your hair, every other day instead of every single day. Although not showering is bad, spending too much time is equally detrimental to your skin.
15. Not Thinking Through Your Pajama Choices
Because so few individuals see us in our pajamas, it’s tempting to believe that wearing anything to bed is perfectly acceptable. However, a study reveals that the pajama you choose is crucial to getting a good night’s sleep. The heat of people’s bodies innately drops as they sleep.
Pajamas that are overly hot or chilly can prevent the body temperature from dropping naturally. When the average decrease is disrupted, the sleep cycle can be impacted, resulting in a less peaceful night. Invest in pajamas that are both presentable and comfortable if you seek to improve the quality of your sleep.
16. Using A Bucket Of Ice To Chill Your Drink
When there’s a reason to party, it’s only natural to toss a bottle of champagne into a bucket of ice. But if you forget to chill it soon enough, you can end up with diasspointingly room temperature drinks. For a quicker chill, use a bucket of salt and ice water.
This is because contact with water exposes the entire bottle’s surface to chilly zones. If you lack access to a salt and ice water bath, you can chill a bottle in your refrigerator for about fifteen to twenty minutes. This trick will help you maintain ideal temperatures for your drinks and keep the party going.
17. Not Logging Out of Shopping And Payment Sites
Leaving your phone logged into Amazon, your financial institution, and other commonly visited websites is really useful. However, credit cards or other confidential material is stored on these online banking and retail sites, making it easier for identity thieves to steal your money or personal information.
While the autofill may be useful when you’re the one using your device, if you lose your laptop or phone, it’s even easier for thieves to gain access to your accounts. Take the extra minute to re-log in each time to secure your money and identity.
18. Too Much Snacking
Snacking in between meals keeps one from being overly hungry, but if you’re doing so, it’s essential to stick to smaller portions and nutritious alternatives. People frequently chew mindlessly without pausing to examine whether or not they are still hungry. Too much snacking is detrimental to your health.
Obesity can result from this type of mindless munching. Increasing the level of fiber and protein in your meals will help you resist the need to snack. If hunger persists between meals, eating nutritious meals or eating smaller amounts can help.
19. Carrying an Overloaded Bag
Most people carry a backpack or purse, especially women who don’t have ample pocket space. Taking things with you when you leave is normal behavior, whether it’s for work or a day out with your family, some people can’t leave the house without a fully equipped backpack.
However, overloading can create back, neck, and shoulder tension. To help reduce your burden, remove unneeded items and double-check that whatever you’re carrying is vital for where you’re going or what you’re doing. Discard all non-essential equipment and stick to what you will need during the day.
20. Commuting with The Windows Down
Driving with the windows down has a certain appeal to it. And if you live in a rural area, or even the suburbs, this may not be an error you need to worry about. But for those living in a metropolitan area, keep your window rolled up when en route.
While rolling down the windows on a hot summer day may seem appealing, you may be endangering your health. Smog and air pollution in metropolitan areas can harm one’s health. As a result, leaving the windows up can help keep one’s lungs healthy.
21. Fighting Off A Sneeze
It’s natural to try to halt a sneeze if you’re in a meeting or a public place. But refraining from sneezing can harm our health. You can cause difficulties with your diaphragm by holding it back or trying to compress it. The benefits of sneezing far outweigh the complications likely to occur from withholding it.
Obstructing a sneeze might cause damage to our diaphragms as well as break blood vessels in our eyes and destroy our eardrums. Allow yourself to sneeze into a handkerchief or your elbow instead of trying to hold back to stop the spread of germs.
22. Using Your Fridge Door for Dairy
According to studies, the door of your refrigerator is hotter than the bottom shelves. So, while the door may seem to be the convenient place to put eggs or milk, it’s not the safest place. By putting these foods in the warmer area, they’ll spoil quicker.
Keep perishable foods such as eggs and dairy in the back of the lower shelves to make your food last longer. Proper fridge management keeps your foods fresher for a longer time and guarantees a longer shelf life for your appliance.
23. Poor Posture
If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to find yourself leaning when sitting down. But slouching and lousy posture can have serious health repercussions. A person’s spine rounds when they are hunched over, which can lead to serious back pain.
In addition to back plain, slouched posture can trigger pinched nerves. Furthermore, when slumped, all of one’s muscles must work harder. Chronic discomfort can build in the back, shoulders, and neck due to harder-working muscles. If you suffer from these pains, you can start by practicing sitting upright.
24. Not Cleaning the Washing Machine
You’d think that a machine that uses soap and water each time you use it would remain clean, right? Well, it might get your clothes clean, but that detergent won’t keep your machine free of microorganisms. Fortunately, there is a trick that will ensure your machine stays clean.
According to studies, many hazardous germs and bacteria, such as E. coli and staph, have been found in washing machines. Wipe off the gadget’s inside frequently and run a hot water and bleach cycle once a month to keep it bacteria-free.
25. Headphones with High Volume
While wearing headphones to the fitness center, work, or on your walk is totally fine, you may be endangering your hearing. Loud noises quickly damage tiny nerve endings in our ears. The more music is played close to your ears through headphones, the more likely it can induce nerve damage.
Keeping the volume low can help to avoid this kind of harm. If you can’t escape the daily use of headphones, trade out harmful earbuds for over-the-ear headphones. You can also consider noise-canceling headphones, that don’t require you to turn up the music so loud.
26. Keeping Your Fan in The Same Direction All the Time
Ceiling fans are great for keeping your home cool in the summer and toasty in the winter. However, adjusting the angle of your fan is necessary to maximize the cooling and healing effects. In the summer, the fan should be turned counter-clockwise. Proper positioning of your fan ensures it operates at total capacity.
When spinning counter-clockwise, the cold air is pushed downward, which is great for cooling down in summer. In winter, turning the fan clockwise will push the warm air, heating the room. These little-known tricks will help you maximize your fan according to the weather.
27. Brushing Your Teeth Too Much
Most people brush their teeth twice a day — once in the morning, and once at night. But there are some that prefer to clean their teeth after each meal. While this may seem like good hygiene, it’s actually damaging to your teeth.
Brushing your teeth right after eating risks destroying the dentin layer beneath the enamel. Brushing twice a day, rather than after each meal, is the best way to secure your dentin. If you find that you have frequent dental problems, consider reducing your brushing frequency.
28. Not Charging Our Phones in Flight Mode
We all know the frustration of reaching for your phone only to realize the battery dropped to zero. It might be tempting to plug it in so you can use it right away, doing so will make it take longer to reach a full charge.
If you are in a hurry to charge your phone, put it in flight mode first. While it may be annoying to not use your phone during that period, it won’t take as long as normal. In addition, using your phone while charging has adverse effects on your health and phone battery.
29. Peeling Eggs the Harder Way
Boiled eggs are a tasty snack, either for on-the-go or to supplement a meal. But, peeling eggs can be challenging. Instead of struggling when peeling, there is a trick to help simplify your work and proceed to enjoy your meal.
Just add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water when boiling your eggs. When it comes time to peel, you’ll find that it’s much easier than normal. Of course, you’ll still need to get it started by cracking it on a hard surface, but it’s smooth sailing from there on out.
30. Procrastination
We’re all guilty of procrastination every now and then. But, when we keep putting things off, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Rather than delaying your tasks, maintaining a routine and having a to-do list can leave you feeling positive and productive.
With this kind of contentment, you can reduce stress and prevent depression. But be careful with how much you use this method, as the more you put things off, the longer your to-do list will grow. Make sure to balance out tackling items on your list.
31. Using Your Palm to Hold Your Wine Glass
Holding your wine glass by the palm swiftly heats the beverage inside. Even if you’re not a wine afficianado, you can probably appreciate having a chilled drink, rather than a lukewarm glass. Unlike coffee, there is no need to cover your wine glass with your palms.
Although it may seem weird at first, try holding your wine glass using your fingertips, and hold it closer to the stem rather than the glass. Besides keeping your beverage cooler, it also helps in aerating your drink, thereby letting you savor every last drop to satisfaction.
32. Unevenly Heating Food in The Microwave
There are few things worse than coming home after a long day, heating up some leftovers in the microwave, only to dig in and find that your once delectable meal is simultaneously hot and cold. It’s always a wonder how this happens when microwaves spin the dish as they heat.
If you struggle with this problem, try leaving the center of the plate free. Just nudge your food towards the edge of your plate — without pushing it over the side, of course. Now eating leftovers won’t be such a disappointment.
33. Keeping Ice Cream Too Hard to Scoop
Ice cream from the freezer can be challenging to scoop. In our eagerness to get some ice cream, some of us have suffered bent spoons over the years. While heating it in the microwave for a few seconds sounds like a good idea, you run the risk of having ice cream soup.
Storing your ice cream in a freezer-safe sealed plastic bag is a viable alternative. Doing so, you will realize that your ice cream becomes easier to scoop, thereby saving you time and maintaining the quality of your ice cream. Now you don’t need to worry about ruining your favorite ice cream spoon.
34. Over-Reliance on Hand Sanitizer
Using hand sanitizer to minimize the chances of infection is critical, especially during the pandemic and flu season. Although sanitizers can reduce the chances of illness, overuse can be equally detrimental to your health. Your best option is to apply the correct quantity at the right time.
Overdependence on hand sanitizer kills good bacteria, which can help combat harmful bacteria we come to contact with. Additionally, excessive use can contribute to bacterial adaptation, leading to more microbes that are resistant to common santation methods. When you can, opt for soap and water instead of hand sanitizer.
35. Not Taking Care of Stains the Right Way
Spilling things on our clothes is just a normal part of adult life. Whether it’s food, drinks, ink, or even various materials from work, stains are sure to happen. The most important thing to do is to clean it up right away.
Don’t wait until laundry day; by then, the stain will have set. But, don’t rush it and rub your garment together. This will cause the material to pill and wear down. Try mopping it up gently and putting it in the wash as soon as possbile.
36. Paying excess in online shopping
The internet has simplified the process of job hunting and shopping expeditions as you can get any product you need in seconds. You don’t need to clip coupons or hours searching for better deals — if you know where to look, that is.
The internet offers a comprehensive marketplace for various goods and services without spending your precious time looking for discounts. Use online platforms to save time and money on each purchase. Sites like Ebates allow one to get cashback on purchases, while PriceGrabber makes comparison easier.
37. Keeping leftovers in the refrigerator after they cool
If you’re hosting a get-together at your home, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll have some leftovers by the time everyone’s left. While you may be tempted to give the food some time to cool before putting it in the fridge, there’s a better way to do it.
Keeping leftovers is beneficial for both the environment and your wallet, but you need to be smart about how you store them. The FDA recommends that you shouldn’t leave leftovers out for over two hours. That’s when the temperature will drop below 140 degrees and make it easier to spoil.
38. Thinking a vegetarian diet is healthier
When searching for healthier lifestyle options, people tend to look towards vegetarian and vegan diets. Veganism is without a dobut one of the best ways to help the environment and reduce your carbon footprint, it doesn’t mean that you’ll eat healthier by default.
As you would with any diet, if you are vegetarian or vegan, you should look at what is in your food and balance out the nutrients accordingly. Or, if you are just starting to dip your toes in, try cutting down on processed foods as a start.
39. Using screens before bed
The temptation to watch one last video, check another notification, reply to a message, or read a blog can leave you lying in bed for hours. Most of us don’t even think about the light that our phones and computers emit, and how it can have serious negative impacts on your sleep.
Prolonged use of devices before sleep could affect your sleep patterns by suppressing the production of the hormone melatonin and the circadian rhythm. Lack of adequate sleep could affect your productivity at school and work. Set a time for yourself when you turn off your tech at night.
40. Getting Inadequate exercise
For a healthier life, take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. When away from work, friends, and family, you can use the limited time available to exercise more and explore new drills. The level and type of exercise could differ from one to the next.
You might notice that if you go too long without regular exercise, you run out of breath quicker and experience fatigue easier. Not to mention more aches and pains form the smallest amount of pressure on syour muscles. Schedule a daily walk that could help you burn calories and break a sweat.