5 Low Effort, Big Return Good Habits to Adopt in 2018

December 27, 2017

5 Low Effort Good Habits to Adopt for Better Health in 2018

As the year comes to an end, some people begin gearing up for the resolutions they will commit to in 2018.Why not get a jump start and awe your family and friends by setting resolutions that are so low effort, you can’t help but keep them?! The best part? They are good habits to adopt for your health! So, improve your well being this year with these simple, low effort, big return habits to adopt in 2018.

  1. Chew Sugar Free Gum

We’ve all heard that we should be brushing twice a day and flossing, but what about chewing gum? Chewing sugar-free gum after meals helps increase saliva which helps you rinse food particles from your mouth, freshens breath, neutralizes enamel eating acids, and reduces plaque. Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after eating prevents tooth decay, and, most people can walk and chew gum at the same time, making it a very easy habit to adopt.

  1. Downsize Your Purse

You’ve probably heard time and again that carrying a large, heavy purse is killing your back and shoulder. Organizational systems allow you to hold more in the same space, but that’s not quite the point. Do you need to carry everything with you? Women have begun to use a multi-bag solution to keep what they “need” close, but limit what they carry, and it’s a huge weight off their shoulders… literally. Consider these purse downsizing tips as well as downsizing your everyday bag to a wristlet or small, hand-held bag. Not only will you be able to find what you need quicker, you will feel less bogged down.

  1. Switch to a Silk Pillowcase

While a silk pillow case is no replacement for a healthy skin care routine, it can be beneficial for those in dry climates. Pillowcases made of cotton pull moisture, allergens, and bacteria towards itself. If you apply moisturizing products before bed and then sleep on cotton, you are giving it even more to absorb. Losing moisture from your hair and face is just irritating both for you and your skin.  Choosing silk over cotton reduces friction, resulting in less skin irritation and less hair breakage.

  1. Ditch the Straw

While dentists can’t seem to agree on the benefits of drinking through a straw to prevent cavities (they just want you to stay away from the sugary drinks altogether), there does seem to be a consensus on giving them up for other reasons. Most recently in news, a famous actor declined a straw because it wasn’t recyclable and therefore an ocean pollutant.  Less recently, but more widely reported, is getting “smoker’s lips” from drinking from a straw. This “condition” refers to wrinkles around the lips due to excessive use of a straw, or straw-like things such as cigarettes. And, the final reason to give up straws are the connection they have to creating excess air in your digestive track… which has to find its way out somewhere.

  1. Hide Your Temptations

There are plenty of diets you can choose right now, but those take a lot of work and commitment. Instead, move troublesome snacks from high visibility, easy eat-ability to a little more difficult place. Whatever your “problem food” may be, move it into the pantry, or on a taller shelf- just somewhere a little less easy to access. When you are in a pinch, you will know where to find it, but it won’t be looking you in the eye, tempting you. That’s an easy start as a part of good habits to adopt, yes?

While visiting the dentist didn’t make this top five list, it should be a consideration and always makes any list of good habits to adopt. At PERFECT TEETH, we make it easy to get back or stay on track of your dental health. Call us at 844-717-9588 to make your next appointment.