Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#151

Post by ahoho » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:56 PM UTC

Nesco wrote: post #59

I realised most of my basic health routine was useless to detrimental: - Soap: it disrupt the skin microbiome. Only useful for hand washing and to clean private parts / the bottom. Even then use high quality soap like Marseille soap or Aleppo soap. Note: Also as mentioned in the comments if you avoid soap / deodorant you *will* probably need to shower two times a day even without doing physical activities. Three time…

These are not universals. I’ve seen the no-shampoo meme repeatedly in online comments. As someone with long, fine hair, I’ve made two attempts to go without, waiting almost a month for my scalp to “reset”. It always looked extremely greasy (like Gary Oldman’s character in Slow Horses).

I have had luck opting for gentler shampoos and not using them every wash, but I wouldn’t speak for anyone else. There is large variance in peoples’ bodies.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#152

Post by rjmill » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:56 PM UTC

When my then-gf/now-wife and I first moved in together, I got really mad at her because she kept "hiding" my stuff when I left it out for more than a day. I couldn't find anything!

At some point, I yelled, "It's like you don't even want to see any of my things when I'm not using them!" Then I stopped for a second. For the first time in my life, it made sense.

The whole point of putting things away is to hide them! No one wants to look at your crap when you're not using it.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#153

Post by hprotagonist » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:56 PM UTC

mabbo wrote: post #35

My father said to me: "I like a shower better than a bath, but ugh, that first blast of cold water when you turn it on is always a bit shocking." Me: "Why don't you turn on the shower, wait for it to get warm, then get in?" Him, realizing he'd been using a shower wrong for over 6 decades: "... huh."

Right; the cold blast comes at the end!

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#154

Post by fatnoah » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:56 PM UTC

yamtaddle wrote: post #79

Not using an electric toothbrush. First time I used one it felt like I'd had a proper dental cleaning. An extremely half-assed effort with that kind of brush beats a thorough one with a manual brush. I thought they were a gimmick, but no, they're amazing.

> Not using an electric toothbrush. First time I used one it felt like I'd had a proper dental cleaning.

Same here. It's completely changed my life. For mini-me, the built-in timer helps them be sure to brush enough.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#155

Post by andrelaszlo » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:57 PM UTC

Trufa wrote: post #106

Eating. I’ve stressed and binged eaten all my life without knowing. Removed the two, started surfing and 50kg (110 pounds) later I’m happier and more active than I’ve ever been.

How did you stop? That sounds like a difficult change to make.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#156

Post by marcrosoft » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:57 PM UTC

Nesco wrote: post #59

I realised most of my basic health routine was useless to detrimental: - Soap: it disrupt the skin microbiome. Only useful for hand washing and to clean private parts / the bottom. Even then use high quality soap like Marseille soap or Aleppo soap. Note: Also as mentioned in the comments if you avoid soap / deodorant you *will* probably need to shower two times a day even without doing physical activities. Three time…

I’ve met a few people in my life that avoid deodorants and soaps and claim they don’t need them and don’t stink. They all did. My theory is they get used to their smell after awhile and can no longer smell it.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#157

Post by lr4444lr » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:58 PM UTC

Arching my lower back as a default position for sitting and standing and avoiding rounding my back at all times. I always thought that slumped posture was the most important thing to avoid, but this created maladaptive muscle fixedness around the spine, confirmed by imaging taken by orthopedists.

The spine is adapted to bend multiple ways, including rounding, as a matter of good exercise form. It's a major function of your abdominal musculature, in fact, to compress the spine forward along the transverse plane. Just don't pick up heavy stuff that way or hunch over a desk all day.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#158

Post by ericpauley » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:58 PM UTC

Nesco wrote: post #59

I realised most of my basic health routine was useless to detrimental: - Soap: it disrupt the skin microbiome. Only useful for hand washing and to clean private parts / the bottom. Even then use high quality soap like Marseille soap or Aleppo soap. Note: Also as mentioned in the comments if you avoid soap / deodorant you *will* probably need to shower two times a day even without doing physical activities. Three time…

Strong disagree on toothpaste. Toothpaste is more than just a physical abrasive, it’s also a source of fluoride that makes your enamel far more resistant to acid erosion.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#159

Post by scns » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:58 PM UTC

leet_thow wrote: post #68

Taking a number two without the use of a footstool to get into a more natural squatting position. I look forward to the ritual every morning and usually achieve 'poophoria'.

To make it explicit, the colon gets straightened that way, business becomes easier.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#160

Post by jjk166 » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:58 PM UTC

Buying alcohol based mouthwash. For years the burning sensation was always terrible and I'd often cheat, either not using as much or not swishing as long as recommended. Accidentally grabbed alcohol free mouthwash one time and it was wonderful.