Everyday Things That Are Actually Harmful For Us

1. Alarm clocks

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Yep, that thing that you use every single morning? It could be destroying your health. Alarm clocks are handy if you're a deep sleeper, but waking up suddenly to a very loud, insistent noise can cause long-term problems like high blood pressure and heart rate.

2. Drinking coffee

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The average American drinks about three coffees a day, making it one of the most consumed drinks in the country. But despite all the research in favour of coffee drinking, in the end, it's actually quite bad for you. Too much coffee can elevate your blood pressure and increase your long-term risk of developing heart disease.

3. Hand sanitizer

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For the past few years, we've all been using a whole lot more hand sanitizer than usual - but maybe we should take a step back from our reliance on it. Hand sanitizer can contain the toxic substance triclosan, which can cause hormonal problems and increase your antibiotic resistance to an unhealthy level.

4. Bananas

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We all know about the 'dirty dozen' - the 12 fruit and vegetables that contain high levels of toxins from pesticides. Bananas aren't usually included on that list because they have tough skin, but actually, they can leach through the soil into the banana you actually eat.

5. High heels

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High heels are a staple of the modern work environment for women - and evening meals and night outs. But wearing high heels too much can cause irreversible damage to your feet, including ingrown toenails, hammertoes, and claw toes. They also limit the mobility of your ankle joint, leading to a higher risk of fractures.

6. Sitting down

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We all sit far too much every day, at the office, in our cars, and when we eat, and this is causing big problems for our health. Sitting too much is linked to a greater risk of obesity because it increases your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. So, get up every now and again.

7. Using your phone

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Smartphones are a core part of our modern life, but spending too much time on your mobile phone can cause problems. Your phone's screen can affect your ability to produce melatonin, causing problems with your natural sleep, while too much screen time also affects your ability to control emotions properly.

8. Cocktails

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If you're not a beer drinker or dislike the taste of spirits, cocktails are a go-to drink on a night out. They're delicious and not as fattening as beer, right? Well, not really. Cocktails contain hefty amounts of sugar, more than other alcoholic drinks, thanks to all that fruit juice and sugar syrup.

9. Nail polish

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Nail polish actually contains a whole host of toxic ingredients that can be really bad for you in the long run. For example, they contain phthalates, which are linked to diabetes, hormone changes, and thyroid problems. So, it's best to give your nails a rest from the colours every now and again.

10. Computer screens

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Like mobile phone screens, computers can also be really bad for you when used too often - which many of us do. Staring at a screen for long periods of time can cause severe eye strain and loss of focus flexibility, meaning you'll find it more difficult to see at distance.

11. Contact lenses

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For glasses wearers, contact lenses are a game-changer. Finally, we can do exercise and travel without worrying about our glasses falling off! However, wearing contact lenses too often can actually cause damage to your delicate corneas - not something you want to encourage.

12. Commuting

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A long commute is annoying for many reasons (though it does give you a chance to finish a book or podcast.) However, commuting every day can actually take a long-term toll on your health. For example, long commutes raise stress levels and lead to an increase in snacking and fast food consumption.

13. Mothballs

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Mothballs are useful for keeping gross pests out of your closet, but inhaling their scent all day can have adverse effects. As mothballs decompose, they release toxic fumes, which can cause health effects like headaches, nausea, and coughing. Some of the chemicals are also carcinogens - so it's best to avoid using them completely.

 14. Air fresheners

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Like mothballs, air fresheners serve a useful purpose, but at a high cost. To make your room smell nice, they use a toxic range of chemicals that can cause migraines, asthma, earache, and, in some of the worst cases - ventricular fibrillation, when your heart beats erratically.

15. Extension cords

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No, we're not saying you need to stop your use of extension cords right away because they're damaging to your health. However, in some cases, people don't realise the dangers. Plugging too many things into an extension cord can actually create a huge fire hazard, so remember to use them safely.

16. Humidifiers

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Dry air is bad for you, but too humid air can also be bad, especially if you use a humidifier to stimulate moisture in the air. If you don't clean your humidifier often enough, they can breed mould and bacteria, which you'll then breathe in. If you have asthma, high moisture content over a long period of time can also make your condition worse.

17. Printers

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For some people, printers are a really necessary everyday object for a hobby or job. However, printing comes with a lot of chemicals, especially in ink, and these can cause significant damage to your body over a long period of time. For example, the tiny particulates that are emitted from laser printers can actually interfere with our genetics.

18. Electric blankets

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An electric blanket is a must-have in the winter, but if you're going to use one every day, you should be aware of the risks. For example, if they're not used correctly, they can be a fire risk, and use in early pregnancy could cause miscarriages.

19. Kitchen sponges

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There are germs everywhere, but kitchen sponges are real breeding grounds for disgusting bacteria. Using a dirty sponge to do your washing up for too long can cause you to accidentally spread germs around your kitchen, making you and the people you live with sick. So, remember to replace your sponge often.

20. Olive oil

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Olive oil is known for being one of the healthiest cooking oils available - in the Mediterranean, it's linked to a longer life. But here's why you shouldn't be cooking with it - there's actually a limit to its benefits when you heat it above its smoke point. At high heat, toxins start to form, which will outweigh the benefits of the oil.

21. Non-stick cookware

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Nonstick cookware like Teflon has developed a bad reputation recently, and for good reason. At high temperatures, the nonstick compounds break down, releasing dangerous toxins into your kitchen - and the food you're cooking. This can lead to sickness, and some even say these toxins are carcinogenic.

22. Oven cleaner

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What can we do when even oven cleaner is toxic?! This kind of hard-hitting cleaning product frequently contains compounds called corrosive alkalis, which can actually cause damage to your organs when inhaled. So, maybe try looking for non-toxic cleaners if you still want your oven to be spick-and-span.

23. Perfume

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As a woman, you're probably wearing perfume on the regular, perhaps every single day. However, here's why you should probably take a day off now and again - they actually contain a dangerous recipe of toxins. These chemicals can causes irritation to the throat and eyes as well as kidney damage in severe cases.

24. Plastic containers

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Remember phthalates, those dangerous chemicals in nail varnish? Well, they're also frequently present in plastic food containers. In case you need a reminder, these chemicals can have an effect on your reproductive system and even your brain.

25. Makeup

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Yes, even makeup contains toxins that can be hazardous to the body. In this case, we're talking about phthalates again, but also toxic compounds like asbestos - more commonly found in old houses and known to be deadly. So, review your makeup to check for toxins, and maybe switch to clean products to help your body.

26. Antibacterial soap

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Antibacterial soaps, like hand sanitizer, contain the toxin triclosan. This compound is very difficult to break down, and you'll get it on your hands every time you wash them - which is probably quite a lot. You don't really want to risk becoming resistant to antibiotics, just in case you're ever in a tricky spot in the hospital.

27. Eating lunch at your desk

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Did you expect this to be on this list? We certainly didn't. But yes, eating lunch while working can actually be bad for your health. One study found that participants who ate lunch without distractions, such as on a bench outside, felt fuller for longer and felt less of an urge to snack later on.

28. Biting your nails

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We all do it, but actually, nail biting can have a worse effect on your body than just making your fingers look rotten. Biting your nails can cause you to ingest bacteria that might be hiding under your fingernails or on your fingertips. These diseases include salmonella and E. coli, which can cause you to become very ill.

29. Watching TV before bed

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Do you tend to binge-watch your favourite show to chill out before sleep? That's a habit you might want to break. Watching TV before bed can stop your body from being able to produce melatonin, which can disrupt your sleep pattern. This is the same thing that happens with your laptop screen and mobile phone, so it's best to shut all these down at least an hour before bed.

30. Receipts

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Ever thought about how many receipts you probably touch in a week? Every time you do a food shop, buy a coffee, purchase a new dress... it's a lot. And every time you touch a receipt, you're transferring toxins on the paper onto your skin. The chemicals on receipt paper can even cause breast cancer, diabetes, and hormone abnormalities.