In this post, I am going to share with you the 5 clothing mistakes that can be detrimental to your
health. These mistakes are so common that I can assure you that a majority of us would be doing
at least 3 out of these 5 mistakes almost daily.
Starting with #5 on the list is Using Synthetic fibres
Synthetic fibres are man-made fibres made using petroleum-derived industrial chemicals in a
lab. Nylon was the first 100% synthetic fibre, initially set for military use as an alternative
to parachute material. But guess what? It gained popularity as dailywear as it was more durable,
elastic, softer and cheaper than the natural fibres and the rest is history. Since then
many synthetic fibres like polyester, acrylic, spandex, lycra etc have captured the market.
Today, over 60% of all clothing material used is made from synthetic fibres. But you may argue,
“Is there any issue”? Well, synthetic fibres that thrive on catchy phrases like wrinkle-free,
waterproof, anti-shrink, stretchable and what not have to be treated with hazardous chemicals
to produce that desired look which we all love to don. I am sure you have noticed that extra
smell on new clothes. That’s Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, used to make the clothes wrinkle-free.
PFCs used to create coatings that enable water and stain resistance can cause skin allergies.
Brominated flame retardants used to make them less flammable can disrupt your hormonal balance
and the list goes on upto 8000 chemicals that find their way into synthetic clothing. However,
there is no doubt that even natural fibres go through various treatments but the exposure
to chemicals is much less. In a study, when 141 articles of popular clothing brands were tested,
89 of them were found to have hazardous volatile chemical compounds. It's a fact that we don’t
just breathe through our nostrils but also through the tiny pores in our skin. Research suggests that
these harmful chemicals can enter the bloodstream through the skin where they create minor problems
like itching and skin rashes to major issues like contact dermatitis, autoimmune diseases and in
rare cases even cancer. Also, synthetic fibres are non-biodegradable and they are infamously
referred to as “forever chemicals”. When tonnes of it is dumped in landfills, it boomerangs back into
the water we drink and the food we eat. In fact recent studies have detected microplastics in
human blood in 80% of the test cases. So, what can we do? Well, for regular wear like shirts,
trousers, jackets, tops etc we should try to stick to natural fibres like cotton, linen, wool,
hemp, bamboo and the likes. For activewear, since there aren’t any 100% natural choices available,
synthetic clothes are the only option. But its wise to avoid it for other purposes.
Next on the list is Wearing tight clothing
From spandex to skin-tight t-shirts and jeans,
we all know the magic that shapewear brings. It flattens your tummy, highlights your curves,
makes you look confident but relying on it too long or too often can put your health at risk.
We must understand that anything which is tight, even your belt or tie knot, will reduce the circulation of blood in that area. Low blood circulation means lower oxygen supply and where there is less oxygen that area of the body is bound to suffer. Imagine someone blocking your nostrils. That’s what that part of your skin feels. This is why experts believe that skinny fit jeans which are restrictive around the groin area are a culprit for causing UTIs. Have you noticed that when we wear anything tight, our focus goes for a toss? Tight clothing compresses the nerves which can cause tingling, numbness and pain. Since skin fit clothes are made from synthetic fibres and because they are too close to the skin, they are more likely to cause skin problems. Apart from this, the tightness might even cause abdominal pain and may worsen acid reflux. So, we should strive to ditch the skin-tight clothes as much as possible and wear something more comfortable so that our skin can breathe and our body and mind can function at an optimal level.
Next is wearing face mask in private
One thing that the recent pandemic has
fed deep into our conscious is to wear a mask. Its very much a part of our clothing now. Of course,
it is non-negotiable, especially when we step into crowded places. However, how sensible it
is to be paranoid about this habit and keep the mask on even when we are alone in a private place.
We must realise that unnecessarily keeping your face tied with a mask can do more harm than good.
In fact, in an interesting study, out of the 343 participants, 314 reported adverse effects from
prolonged mask use with headaches being the most common complaint. 182 reported skin breakdown. 81 suffered impaired cognition. What’s worth noting is that many of these people experienced resolved
side effects once their masks were removed. More studies have shown that prolonged wearing
of face masks causes carbon dioxide retention, drowsiness, headache, feeling of exhaustion,
skin irritation and microbiological contamination. While it is of paramount importance to obey
the Government’s instructions but one can skip wearing a mask when in a secluded private place.
Next is Wrong undergarments
The right fit and material of undergarments is crucial as they cover the most sensitive parts of the human body. If your bra is leaving red marks
on your skin, that's usually a sign that you have what experts call the Bra Strap Syndrome. If you
often suffer from itching in your groin area, you must do something about your underwear. Wearing a
bra which is too tight can cause pain in the neck, shoulders, upper back and arm. Generally, experts
recommend the two fingers test to test an ideal fit bra. Further to support the shoulders, one can
choose bra designs that come with thick straps or get a shoulder pad for the straps. Underwire bras
suppresses the flow of oxygen causing a permanent line of discolouration under the breasts. For men
having active lifestyle V shaped underwears are better than U shaped as they support the testicles
better safeguarding from problems like hernia in the long run. An underwear should not be too tight
to cause obstruction of air flow in the pelvic area. Needless to say, wearing an undergarment of
any material which is not natural is like shooting yourself in the foot. Apart from the chemicals,
synthetic underwears trap the moisture increasing the chances of fungal and yeast infections.
Heat buildup due to synthetic materials of underwears can even impair the production of
sperm cells in the testicles. So don’t let fashion come in between your health, especially when case
in point being the undergarments.
Finally, using massive handbags
Well, there’s nothing like a roomy bag that can fit all your knick-knacks but that big
bag you carry on your shoulder can trigger your pain points. While they might be convenient and
a fashion statement, oversized heavy bag can cause an uneven weight distribution,
straining back muscles and affecting blood flow to the shoulder causing even cervical pains. It’s
like flying a kite which is heavier on one side. A breakthrough study in 2012 showed that women
who often carry big bags on their one shoulder are prone to forward bending posture. Now, you
might be thinking, “but I need EVERYTHING that’s in my purse.” The least you can do is not carry a
bag on any one shoulder for a long period of time. Shift it from shoulder to shoulder, or place the
shoulder strap diagonally across your chest if the strap is long enough. Consider using a small and
stylish backpack which distributes the weight more evenly. If you can’t do without a large handbag,
ensure that it itself is lightweight and that the straps are wide and padded. Also, you should try to reassess and omit the things that you can do without. Afterall, a big bag should not become a big bag of problems.
So, these were those 5 clothing mistakes which I think a majority of us commit on a regular basis. Well, what one wears is completely a choice of an individual. The idea behind making this video was not to scare you but to make you aware of the potential risks involved so that you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
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