Six Everyday Things You Might Be Doing Wrong

If you think you've got this whole life thing figured out, here's a list that might change your mind.  Check out six everyday things you might be doing wrong.

1.  Putting Leftovers Directly in the Fridge.  You especially shouldn't do it if it's something big, like leftover ham that hasn't been cut up. When you put hot food directly into a refrigerator, the outside gets cold before the middle does, which can lead to food poisoning.  So it's better to let it cool on the counter for up to an hour, THEN put it in the fridge.

2.  Picking Up Your Prescriptions at a Pharmacy Drive-Thru.  According to an Ohio State University survey of more than 400 pharmacists, a mistake with your prescription is more likely to happen, because working the drive-thru is more distracting than dealing with customers inside the store. So if you really like the convenience of using the drive-thru, just make sure you double-check the prescriptions they give you.

3.  Leaving Your Wallet or Handbag on the Kitchen Counter.  One study found that the bottom of purses had up to 10,000 bacteria per square inch . . . which can then end up on the food you cook.  So you're better off leaving your handbag or wallet pretty much anywhere else.

4.  Snagging the Front Row at an Exercise Class, Where You Can See Yourself in the Mirror.  It's not PHYSICALLY unhealthy, but it can be MENTALLY unhealthy. A 2003 study of 58 women found that the ones who could clearly see themselves in a mirror while they exercised felt more anxious AFTER the workout. With that said, all of the women in the study were at least slightly overweight.  So if you're ripped, front and center might be fine.

5.  Cranking Your Headphones When You're in a Loud Environment.  Like a bus, a subway, or a plane. Harvard researchers found that in reasonably quiet surroundings, people tend to keep the volume of their music at a safe level.  But once there's a little bit of background noise, 80% listen at an unsafe level. If you have noise-cancelling headphones though, you might be alright.  In the study, only 20% of the people who used them listened at a level that could potentially damage their hearing.

6.  Storing Your Coffee Beans in the Freezer.  Which most people do.  But storing them in the freezer doesn't actually keep them fresh, because every time you take them out to make coffee, their temperature fluctuates, creating condensation. And condensation leeches out the flavor.  So you're actually better off keeping them in an airtight container right on your kitchen counter.

(Prevention)