Old wives’ tales have abounded no matter what you’re talking about, but especially when it comes to stress, we think things that are not necessarily true. Misinformation has spread far and wide, but now you don’t necessarily have to believe all of the mistruths about stress.
- 8 Glasses of water a day – Starting in 1945, people were told that a healthy person should drink 8 glasses of water a day. This was just meant to be a guideline, because how much you drink and how much water you need depends on you. If you weigh more, you need more water, if you have certain body types, you need more water or maybe less. However, while the stress has always been on water, other drinks such as juice, milk, and tea can be just as good at keeping you properly hydrated.
- Stress turns your hair grey – Too much stress has long been said to turn your hair grey or even white in extreme cases. However, there is no scientific evidence to back either of these ideas, they are only in the movies. Too much stress can age you at an accelerated rate from the inside out, but your hair won’t necessarily be the first thing to go. According to expert Nancy L Snyderman MD, chief medical editor for NBC,
”Too much stress does age us inside and out”
There is just no evidence that it actually turns locks grey.
- Too little light ruins your eyes – Again according to Dr. Snyderman MD,
Reading in dim light can strain your eyes. You tend to squint, and that can give you a headache.
However, there is no substantial proof that his will actually cause permanent damage to the eyes. It may increase your risk of crow’s feet, but that’s about it. - Coffee is Bad – Actually, studies have recently shown that the antioxidants in coffee can substantially lower the risk of diabetes in patients who have a family history of diabetes. Other studies have shown other benefits. Yes, the caffeine in coffee can give you jitters, but it’s not overtly dangerous for most.
- Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever – Colds and fevers tend to be caused by viruses’, not temperature. Temperature can make you more susceptible,but fasting does not actually help colds and fevers. These viruses
tend to last 7 to 10 days, no matter what you do.
However, even if you are not hungry, you still need plenty of fluids. - Fresh Vs. Frozen – Scientists have focused on the benefits of antioxidants and other vitamins that are supposedly more abundant in fresh foods, making frozen foods second rate. However, the truth is that frozen foods can actually be just as good at locking in the nutrients, there is no scientific evidence to prove otherwise.