You know how you’re supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day? Well, depending on your activity level, gender and size, this may be the wrong thing to do. “The eight-by-8-ounce [water-drinking] rule can potentially lead to diluting the kidneys and impair kidney function,” says Joseph Stubbs, MD, president of the American College of Physicians. 

What?! This can’t be true. Our mothers encouraged us to drink enough water every day. But overdoing it could lead to headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and even death in extreme cases. The current rule is to drink when thirsty. Read on for more examples of “healthy” habits that could get you into trouble.

1. In this day of disease outbreaks like deadly flu strains, Americans have bought into the “more antibacterials, the better” mantra. Unfortunately, overusing these products may encourage the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Plain soap and running water is just as effective as killing germs as antibacterial soaps.

Kitchens are probably the most-cleaned part of a house because preparing foods and eating meals primarily take place here. But are you using that same dishwashing sponge or dishcloth to wipe off your countertops? This is a mistake that could make the family sick with E. coli, salmonella and other microbes. To ensure that you are not spreading illness-causing germs in the kitchen, microwave that damp sponge or dishcloth daily for 60 seconds to kill off those pesky microbes.

2. Mention public bathrooms, and you’ll get a variety of responses from groans to exclamations of, “Gross,” or “I never use public toilets.” Inevitably though, everyone, it seems, uses a public facility at one time or another.

Do you squat or hover over the toilet seat in these bathrooms? That may not be the smartest thing to do. "Squatting causes the pelvic muscles to contract and tighten around the urethra," says Elizabeth Kavaler, M.D., urologist and author of a book about bladder health. "This prevents the bladder from emptying fully. Relaxed pelvic muscles will optimize flow and flush out bacteria." Excess “bad” microbes left in the urinary tract or bladder can cause urinary tract infections (UTI). As Dr. Kavaler notes, you can’t get a UTI from a toilet seat.

3. Do you select foods deemed “healthy” because, if it says so, it must be true? Is granola one of your favorite snacks? Purportedly healthy, granola can be packed with sugar and be calorically dense. Protein bars fall into this category as well. Gluten- and fat-free foods are not always ideal choices, either. Gluten-free foods may have up to 13 times more fat than gluten-free fare. Fat-free foods may have more sugar than their regular counterparts to compensate for consumers’ taste buds.

4. There are some experts who encourage people to eat small amounts of healthy food throughout the day as a diet strategy. But some take this advice literally and eat for most of the hours they are awake. The correct concept of this diet is to limit the number of hours you allow yourself to eat. Most people assume an eating window of 14 to 16 hours, but dieticians say this window should only be between 10 to 12 hours long.

5. Do you brush your teeth after every meal? Well, depending on what you just ate, you may be doing more damage to your teeth than that one sugary dessert you allowed yourself. If you ate highly acidic foods, you may want to wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before taking brush to tooth. Acidic foods soften the tooth enamel making it susceptible to damage such as darkening teeth and gum rescission. Brushing too aggressively can damage teeth, leading to possible tooth decay and loss. The solution: Gently brush with soft, rounded bristles twice a day.

6. The brilliant rays of the sun are both healthful and dangerous. Some young people believe that a base tan will protect them from the harmful effects of the sun. But any degree of sun exposure can damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. Researchers have found that base tans offer protection equal to an SPF 4 sunscreen. This is little to no sun protection at all. To protect yourself, avoid going out into the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Always wear sunscreen with a SPF rating of 30 or higher and wear sun-protective clothing whenever possible.
   

7. No one thinks that talking over a problem can be a bad thing. Generally, it’s good to discuss serious problems to gain perspective and to vent frustration, anger, disappointment and other emotions. But if you are a person who obsesses about an issue and cannot let it go, you may set yourself up for stress disorders, depression and anxiety. The answer: Move the point of discussion to solving the problem, rather than rehashing it over and over again.

So listen up! Just because something is deemed “healthy” doesn’t necessarily mean it is. Use common sense, read labels and keep up on the latest health news. What you learn may surprise you.