7 Everyday Things You Are Actually Doing Wrong

Many of us have a daily routine, whether we mean to or not. We do things in a similar order each day, around the same time, just going through the motions. Since most of us rarely switch things up, we don't question whether or not there's a more effective way to perform our daily tasks.

You might be surprised to learn that there are several common things that many of us do wrong!

1. Working Without Planning Your Lunch Break

You might feel productive by working through your lunch break, but you'll have trouble concentrating if you don't give yourself a break. Use your lunch break to relax and fuel your mind and body with healthy food. If you feel most productive from 8 to 12, then plan your lunch break at 12, right when you need a little pick-me-up.

2. Adding Oil To Pasta Water

Even if you're a pro at cooking pasta, you might be doing something wrong. Adding oil to your pasta water can prevent the sauce from sticking to the pasta. To cook the perfect pasta dish, make sure you're using the right amount of water. Try 1 liter per 100 grams of dry pasta and 1.5 liters for 100 grams of fresh pasta.

3. Using Too Much Soap In The Shower

As you age, your body changes. Your skin begins to dry out. Using too much soap in the shower will only make things worse. Soap is an astringent, so contributes to drying out your skin. Start using the minimum amount of soap you can in the shower to keep your skin from drying out.

4. Breathing With Your Chest

Oxygen has positive effects on your nervous system. It reduces pain and inflammation, helps lower your blood pressure and keeps stress at bay. Learning to breathe correctly can help you manage your emotions and improve your overall physical health. Concentrate on breathing using your diaphragm instead of your chest.

5. Brushing Your Teeth Using Only Horizontal Brush Movements

Brushing your teeth using only horizontal movements and forgetting to floss are too of the most common mistakes when it comes to oral health. Proper brushing involves short, vertical movements, performed from the gums to the edge of the teeth. Proper brushing should take about 2-3 minutes. You'd be surprised at how many of us take a shortcut when it comes to oral hygiene!

6. Drying Your Hands Using A Paper Towel

You probably don't think twice about using a paper towel to dry your hands. Everyone does it, right? The problem is that we're using millions of pounds of paper by using paper towels. If paper towels are your only option, shake your hands thoroughly before drying them to use a few less sheets. It's a simple way to help save the planet!

7. Exercising Without Stretching

If you're exercising regularly, you're on the right track in terms of your health! But doing so without stretching can lead to injury. Skipping warm-ups can be harmful to your body. Don't forget to include warm-up and flexibility exercises to your workout to avoid injuries. Stretch before and after your workout! Bright Side Shape Mouth Healthy Breaking Muscle The Paperless Project The Huffington Post Greatist Thrillist