During housecleaning, people mostly follow their normal cleaning routine. Although this routine may seem like second nature, some cleaning habits adapted over the years may do more harm than good. It may also include leaving behind bacteria, grime, and dust that may create more work later and lead to health conditions, worsening allergies, and other health problems. Keep reading to learn about some common cleaning mistakes to stay away from. Mistakes to avoid while cleaning In most cases, the goal of the cleaning routine is to finish the task as soon as possible and move on to more critical chores. However, this could lead to a few mistakes that make the house dirtier. Some such common mistakes are listed below. Usage of dirty cleaning tools A cleaning routine is only as good as the cleaning tools one uses. Hence, using the right tools and ensuring they are clean is important. It may help avoid spreading bacteria, dust, and dirt throughout the house. Therefore, to avoid such mistakes, one must regularly wash the cleaning cloth, scrub brushes, and mop heads after every use. Furthermore, one can also sanitize germy items such as toilet brushes and empty the vacuum for optimum cleaning.

Home maintenance is often one of the most expensive elements when accounting for home budgeting. Raw materials are expensive, and you may have to contract a professional for the job. However, if you know the basics of electrical, plumbing, and woodwork, you could carry out certain repairs yourself, helping save significant maintenance costs. Here are seven DIY home repair tips that could save you from hiring a professional to get the job done. Drain pipes A leaky kitchen or bathroom drain pipe (not concealed inside a wall) is one issue that you can most likely fix by yourself. It may require something as simple as tightening a slip-nut near the P-Trap. A leak from a hole in the drain could be resolved with a flexible coupling with hose clamps. Handing wallpaper Wallpaper is easy to install or replace too. You will need someone to help get it on the wall and match the patterns correctly. If bubbling appears, you might have to remove the paper and install a new strip. But remember that removing wallpaper might require you to order more, possibly exceeding the budget, so avoid doing the job in haste. Clogged garbage disposal Disposal units might seem tough to fix.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune health condition with symptoms that are easily visible such as dryness, redness, and peeling of the skin. It is generally known that these symptoms are the result of chronic inflammation. However, not many people are aware that psoriasis causes systemic inflammation, which means the inflammation affects not only the skin but also the internal organs of the body. This can eventually lead to other health complications. Psoriatic arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is one of the most common conditions linked to psoriasis. The symptoms include swollen and stiff joints with severe pain. Early onset of psoriatic arthritis is usually indicated by symptoms such as red or swollen joints along the spine, fingers, and elbows. Metabolic syndrome The metabolic syndrome results from elevated blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and high levels of body fat and cholesterol. This syndrome further increases the risk of health conditions related to the heart and type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease or heart-related conditions include heart stroke, arrhythmia, heart failure, and problems related to the valves of the heart. It is estimated that those with psoriasis have twice the risk of developing cardiovascular complications. However, the risk increases for those who have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the past as a result of psoriasis.

For several women, excruciating pain and cramps are synonymous with periods. Research suggests that approximately 80% of individuals who menstruate experience period pain at some point. Adequate care and rest are essential to overcome period pain and avoid nutritional deficiencies during this time. Alongside maintaining a proper meal plan, avoiding certain types of foods, and staying as physically active as possible, avoiding these few common mistakes can help women manage better during their period. Using scented tampons or pads Besides causing irritation and discomfort, scented tampons and pads also alter the vagina’s pH balance, leading to problems like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. Scented tampons and pads can also contribute to vaginal itching and odor. Thus, it is important to use unscented menstrual products at all times to avoid compromising menstrual health. Staying dehydrated The body loses more fluids during periods than on regular days. Consequently, it requires more water to perform daily functions like lubricating joints, controlling body temperature, regulating bowel movements, and providing nutrients and oxygen to the cells. Dehydration can slow down these processes significantly, aggravating one’s discomfort and weakening their immunity. It helps to set water reminders on one’s phone or smartwatch to stay hydrated during the menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle duration varies between women, but the average is 28 days. Though a slight change in this average is considered normal, if one experiences an irregular menstrual cycle for several months, it might signify an underlying health condition that must be diagnosed and promptly treated. In such scenarios, it is advised to seek the help of an ob-gyn and watch out for some unhealthy lifestyle habits that must be changed. Sudden rigorous exercise routine Regular and moderate exercise can improve heart health, mood regulation, and a steady sleep cycle. Moreover, changing your exercise routine and trying a new regime won’t impact your menstrual cycle much. However, problems will arise when one suddenly switches to an extreme exercise/training routine, which can affect one’s menstrual cycle. It is commonly observed in women who start training for marathons or triathlons. Excessive stress Dealing with excessive stress levels for longer periods is another aspect that can impact one’s menstrual cycle. It is because stress leads to the higher production of cortisol, which can interfere with many crucial bodily functions. As a result, there is lower production of estrogen and progesterone. All these factors combined will hamper one’s menstrual cycle. Unhealthy sleeping habits Not maintaining a healthy sleep cycle is a major lifestyle mistake many people commit.

Like every other body part, it is important to keep one’s bladder health in check. Unbeknownst to many, various urological conditions originate from the inability to maintain optimum urinary tract health. Accurate urination is crucial for safeguarding one’s bladder from health conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) and urinary incontinence. To protect one’s bladder from long-term or short-term urinary issues, here are some common mistakes and habits one should avoid. Holding urine in While holding your pee becomes necessary sometimes, making it a habit can lead to long-term health complications. A full bladder becomes susceptible to the build-up of bacteria which triggers infections in the urinary tract. Therefore, following healthy drinking and urination habits should be prioritized. Incomplete urination Just like holding urine in, not completely emptying the bladder can aggravate one’s risk of urinary infections. Regardless of one’s tight schedule, spare time for nature’s call. Not observing urination patterns Frequent urination is a condition often overlooked by people. However, if a person is urinating more than usual in a day, it can indicate severe conditions like kidney stones, UTIs, or even diabetes. Not getting bladder examined Unexplained changes to urine color are another condition that necessitates healthcare intervention. For example, if one notices their urine appearing red, it might indicate severe conditions like cancer or kidney stones, which must be treated.

With a migraine, anything one eats can be a trigger. But that does not mean that one needs to skip out on desserts and other foods they enjoy. Swapping out certain ingredients can help create a migraine-friendly meal plan and boost one’s health. Gluten and sugar, the main ingredients in most desserts, are also the biggest triggers for people with migraine. Try these five updated dessert recipes to continue enjoying one’s favorite foods even with a migraine: Carrot muffins Made with migraine-friendly ingredients like carrots, gluten-free flour, and cinnamon, carrot muffins are loaded with magnesium and antioxidants to help keep migraine headaches under control, making them a great dessert or snack option. “Chocolate” pudding For many people, the phenylethylamine in chocolate has been linked to migraine headaches. Try switching cocoa with carob powder and sweetening it with dates to create a chocolate-free “chocolate” pudding that tastes like the real deal. Using cooked millet instead of flour gives this dessert an added dose of magnesium. Almond-orange cake with cream cheese frosting Prepare a delicious almond-orange cake with almond flour, oranges, and eggs. It comes together quickly and is a delicious gluten-free low-carb option for migraine sufferers. Frost it with cream cheese to give it a birthday cake that looks perfect for any party.

Reproduction is a complicated process. Men and women must equally be healthy and fertile to start the process of conception from a single-cell embryo to a fully grown baby. That said, daily nutrition and lifestyle choices also impact an individual’s fertility process, blood flow, gut, and overall health. So, nutritionists recommend including certain fertility-boosting foods that increase the chances of getting pregnant. Here are ten superfoods to try and achieve successful conception. Pineapple Several studies are indicative of the benefits of eating raw pineapple. It is rich in vitamin C and bromelain, a plant compound that counters inflammation that affects fertility and prevents the body from suppressing ovulation. Eggs Egg yolks contain omega-3 fatty acids, a compound that promotes anti-inflammatory responses in the body. In addition, eggs are loaded with iron, calcium, vitamin B, zinc, and other fertility-enhancing nutrients. Citrus-rich fruits Oranges and grapefruits are the two most potent vitamin C-rich fruits that also boast potassium, calcium, and B vitamins content. The nutrients help regulate ovulation, create a suitable environment for the eggs, and increase sperm production. Pomegranates Studies done on men to test sperm motility showed the group that included pomegranates or its extract in daily meal plans had better chances of producing sperm that can conceive.

Age is a crucial factor that determines a person’s food habits. For example, a certain food, which one can digest easily in their twenties, might not suit them after 50. So, older adults must be careful about their nutritional habits to maintain optimum health. Such individuals need a meal plan that involves nutritious foods that do not take much effort to digest. Keep reading to learn about the best foods for people over 60. Eggs High-protein foods are needed to stabilize the metabolism of the eaten meals in the digestive system. As people age, their caloric requirements decrease while their protein needs are enhanced to minimize muscle loss, a decrease in strength, and deterioration of vital body functions. Foods such as eggs are rich sources of naturally occurring protein. Usually, the recommended protein intake for people is about 0.8 grams of kilograms of their body weight per day. People over the age of 60 will require way more protein than that. Health and nutrition experts suggest that the figure should be at least 1.2 kilograms daily for effective metabolism and functioning. Oatmeal Like protein, fiber is essential for reinforcing the defense mechanism of one’s body as it ages. After 60, one must eat high-fiber foods such as oatmeal, chickpeas, quinoa, flaxseed, and chia seeds to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, metabolic disorders, diverticular disease, and other health conditions brought about by a weakening of the immune system.

For most purposes, mobile phones have made cameras, clocks, computers, and many devices redundant. With their ever-expanding capabilities, mobile phones today have also become increasingly vulnerable to online threats like nasty, damaging cyber-attacks and data pilfering. As per a 2022 study, mobile phones face more than 60 percent of digital fraud via stolen passwords and phishing attacks. To stay clear of these, one needs to avoid making some of the following mistakes: Installing fake apps on smartphones Scammers can create apps that look legit but are just viruses or other threats disguised as actual mobile applications. To avoid this threat, one needs to complete software and security updates regularly, provide personal information only if it is necessary, check customer reviews for any app before installing it on their phone, and verify applications they want to download from the app store for duplicates. Fake apps are among the most common smartphone threats, and taking these simple precautions can prevent a person from exposing themselves to a cyber-attack or another kind of online fraud. Not being careful during online shopping Most people choose eCommerce apps on their phones to make purchases. However, online shopping sites can contain threats too. For example, an individual may fall into the trap of giving away their card details to scammers via the aforementioned fake or fraudulent shopping apps.