The bathroom. We all use it several times a day, we all know what goes on in there and the vital role that proper bathroom habits play in keeping us healthy. Yet for some reason, many of us are still pretty uncomfortable when it comes to talking about our bathroom habits and that's a shame, because it means we might miss out on valuable feedback on how we might improve our personal routines.
So, in the spirit of sharing and caring, we've put together a list of bathroom habits we should all talk about more. Who knows, you just might find it useful.
1. Sitting on the toilet for too long
While it might be tempting to escape to the bathroom for a long, peaceful scroll through Instagram whilst you do your business, sitting for long periods of time on the toilet can be a cause of hemorrhoids, per the Mayo Clinic.
2. Not wiping the toilet seat down
While we're on the subject of toilets, let's talk about keeping the porcelain throne itself clean. Neglecting to wipe down the toilet may leave unwanted debris behind and in turn lead to an angry spouse. Make sure you keep yourself and your partner clean and happy by taking the time to do things properly.
3. Ignoring bleeding gums
If your gums bleed while you're brushing away, it could be a sign that you have gum disease. This may in turn lead to bad breath, inflamed, receding gums and even tooth loss. If you have bleeding gums you should always consult your dentist, and consider using Corsodyl Toothpaste, which is 4x more effective than a regular toothpaste at removing the main cause of bleeding gums.
4. Sharing personal hygiene products
If you're living with housemates, it's best to avoid sharing personal hygiene products and makeup. "Skin infections, rashes, and viral, bacterial, and fungal infections can occur and spread," one doctor told Bustle.
5. Leaving beard hair around the sink
Yes, beards are back in fashion, and yes they do make a surprisingly positive difference to one's appearance when properly maintained, but we're willing to bet that the annoyance caused to a spouse by leaving beard hair all over the sink is enough to outweigh the perceived benefits. Clean up your workspace properly, avoid clogging the sink and keep your spouse happy.
6. Using your phone in the bathroom
Using your phone to play games or compose a witty tweet while on the toilet is now common practice, but since a recent study claimed that your phone is actually seven times dirtier than your toilet, wouldn't it be wise to refrain from the possibility of adding yet more bacteria to the screen?
Hopefully, these gave you some pause for thought. We could all do with remembering how to keep our bathroom habits at our most hygienic - as well as looking out for any potential signs of ill health.
