Sometimes your parent or teacher will mention an old routine, and when you question them they say, “we’ve always done it that way.” Well, unfortunately, always doing it that way can be downright dangerous. Here’s 35 common routines society has since walked back on.
Smoking as a Stress Reliever
Not too long ago, lighting up a cigarette was seen as a perfectly normal way to relax. Doctors even advertised them! People thought it calmed nerves, but we now know it actually raised heart disease risk, caused cancer, and made stress (you guessed it) much worse.
Drinking Soda Every Day
For decades, soda was considered a fun and harmless treat. Kids drank it after school, adults had it with lunch, and no one thought twice about it. But all those vast amounts of soda loaded people down with sugar, leading to weight gain, diabetes, and tooth decay.
Skipping Breakfast
There was a time when people thought breakfast wasn’t important, or worse, that skipping it was a good way to stay thin. The truth is, going without food in the morning often led to overeating later and very low energy. Eat those Cheerios!
Sunbathing Without Sunscreen
A golden tan was once the ultimate sign of health, and people would lay out in the sun for hours… without any protection. Yes, people ignored the importance of sunscreen. As a result, all that unprotected sun exposure gave people wrinkles, sun damage, and a much higher risk of skin cancer.
Drinking Alcohol Before Bed
A little whiskey or brandy before bed used to be considered a sleep aid. While it might help some people drift off faster, alcohol actually disrupts deep sleep cycles and leaves you feeling groggy in the morning. Plus, you run the risk of getting addicted.
Using Butter on Everything
Butter was once considered a kitchen staple that went into almost every meal. It tasted so good that no one thought much about the saturated fat and cholesterol. So unfortunately, a lot of people got heart disease without even knowing why – but we know better now.
Using Margarine Instead of Butter
At least there’s margarine, right? Nope. Margarine was sold as the “heart-healthy” alternative to butter for decades, when it wasn’t. Older margarines were full of trans fats, which turned out to be far worse for heart health than butter ever was.
Drinking Whole Milk Exclusively
Whole milk was once thought of as the only kind worth drinking. It was advertised as being loaded with nutrients and great for kids. But it also came with a lot of saturated fat. Over time, research linked regular consumption of whole milk to higher cholesterol and heart risks.
Relying on Canned Foods
Canned soups and vegetables were a lifesaver for busy families, especially in the mid-20th century. They were cheap, convenient, and seemed healthy at the time. But they were often loaded with sodium, preservatives, and sometimes even BPA from the can lining. Unfortunate, but true.
Brushing Teeth With Baking Soda Only
Before modern toothpaste, many people used baking soda alone to brush their teeth. It seemed fine - it got rid of plaque and left things clean. But it didn’t protect against cavities, gum disease, or enamel erosion the way fluoride toothpaste does. Luckily, baking soda for teeth has been pretty much ditched over the years.
Drinking Coffee All Day
In the not so distant past, coffee breaks weren’t just once or twice a day - they were constant. While coffee does have health benefits in moderation, drinking cup after cup all day can spike blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and leave people jittery. It’s not a routine you should stick to anymore.
Using Talcum Powder Daily
For ages, talcum powder was sprinkled everywhere – including on babies. It was marketed as safe and fresh. But it turned out that some talc was contaminated with asbestos, and even asbestos-free versions raised concerns about cancer. Some companies are in crisis because of this.
Sitting Down All Evening
After a long day of work, many people spent their evenings glued to the couch watching TV. Back then, no one really thought about how sitting for hours every night could be harmful. But today, we know the couch potato lifestyle raise risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Eating Red Meat Every Day
Steak, burgers, and roasts are delicious, but you need to be careful with them. Once upon a time many families ate red meat daily without hesitation – but there were consequences. Over the years, research has connected heavy consumption of red meat to heart disease, colon cancer, and other health issues.
Sleeping With the Windows Shut Tight
For years, people thought closing windows tight at night was the safest and healthiest option, keeping out drafts. (There were also some superstitions surrounding the practice). But it also meant poor ventilation and less fresh air, which for some people made breathing harder at night.
Using Lead-Based Makeup
Makeup and powders in the past often contained lead, and no one thought twice about it. Looking beautiful often meant exposure to toxic metals that could build up in the body, leading to serious health problems. Luckily, people are more aware now of the dangers of lead.
Adding Salt to Everything
Shaking lots of salt over meals used to be second nature - people thought it was just part of good seasoning. Few realized how much it raised blood pressure and increased the risk of heart problems over time. Now, we’ve found out – and at the cost of lives.
Drinking Tonic Water Like Regular Water
Tonic water was once consumed casually, almost like soda or even plain water. People thought of it as refreshing. But tonic contains quinine, which in large amounts can cause side effects, and it often had as much sugar as soda. Not good.
Eating Dessert After Every Dinner
For many households, dessert wasn’t an occasional treat, it was just part of daily meals. Pie, cake, or pudding were served up every day, and usually everyone ate massive portions. Unfortunately, this contributed to the obesity crisis in America, and people are now advised not to eat so much dessert.
Using Household Cleaners Without PPE
People used to scrub floors, sinks, and toilets with harsh cleaners without gloves. What they didn’t realize was that repeated skin contact with chemicals caused irritation, rashes, and even long-term health effects. We know better now – and we also know not to mix different cleaners.
Drinking Raw Milk
Raw milk was once common, with many believing it was healthier and more “natural” than pasteurized versions. Wrong! It carried serious risks of bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. Pasteurization eventually proved to be a much safer option.
Using Hair Spray Indoors Without Ventilation
Back in the day, people sprayed clouds of hair spray in their bathrooms with the windows shut. Nobody thought it was a problem to be breathing in all those chemicals daily. Over time, it meant inhaling harmful particles that irritated the lungs and sometimes contained toxic ingredients.
Drinking Lots of Fruit Juice
For years, fruit juice was marketed as a health drink - something you could have every day without worry. But in truth, those juices were loaded with sugar, stripped of fiber, and they spiked blood sugar levels. Fruit juice is now considered something you should drink only every so often.
Washing Hands With Harsh Soap Constantly
People (especially teachers for some reason) once thought the harsher the soap, the better. But over time, it dried out skin, disrupted natural oils, and contributed to resistant bacteria. Turns out, gentle soap and water work just as well.
Using Baby Oil as Tanning Lotion
Baby oil was very popular for sunbathing, with people lathering it on daily when the sun came out. They thought it gave them a deeper, “healthier” tan. In reality, it magnified sun damage, fried skin, and upped the risk of melanoma.
Daily Afternoon Cocktails
Cocktail hour used to be a daily ritual in many households, especially richer ones. A martini or two before dinner felt classy and harmless. But over time, daily drinking quietly increased risks for liver disease, high blood pressure, and even certain cancers. People definitely died because of too many cocktails, which is awful.
Using Household Paint Without Masks
Painting the house was once a casual weekend chore, with people breathing in fumes for hours without protection. Nobody thought about what all those chemicals were doing to their lungs. Now, people will roll their eyes at you if you try to paint without a mask or ventilator.
Using Hot Rollers or Curling Irons Daily
Daily styling with hot rollers or curling irons was once the norm, especially in the ‘60s. Hair was a woman’s crowning glory in those days. So people thought nothing of applying high heat every morning – but the routine fried hair and in some cases seriously damaged it.
Brushing Teeth Only Once a Day
For a long time, brushing once a day - usually in the morning - was considered enough. Dentists hadn’t yet gotten across that it really needs to be more than that. That lack of brushing left teeth vulnerable to decay, gum disease, and plaque buildup.
Using Baby Formula Thickened With Cereal
For years, parents were told to thicken baby formula with rice cereal to “help babies sleep through the night.” It was a common daily routine, but it often led to overfeeding, digestive issues, and unhealthy weight gain. Pediatricians now recommend against it.
Wearing Corsets Daily
Here’s a really old one for you. Corsets were once a normal part of women’s daily attire, thought to support posture and give a “healthy” figure. In reality, tight corsets restricted breathing and even messed with the internal organs. Thankfully, they’re not a part of life any more.
Drinking Coffee Right Before Bed
Many people thought an after-dinner coffee was just a pleasant way to end the evening. It was so routine no one questioned it. But turns out caffeine late in the day disrupts sleep cycles, raises heart rate, and can even cause insomnia – the opposite of what was intended.
Using Mercury Thermometers Regularly
For decades, every household had a mercury thermometer, and daily use during cold or flu seasons seemed perfectly normal. But mercury exposure, even in small amounts from broken thermometers, carries health risks. Today, safer digital versions have replaced them.
Believing “No Pain, No Gain”
This old workout motto encouraged people to push through pain during exercise. While effort is good, pain often signals injury or overexertion. Ignoring it led to sprains, stress fractures, and long-term damage. Put this old slogan in the dustbin of history!
Ignoring Stress
For decades, taking care of mental health wasn’t even considered part of wellness. People thought powering through stress or sadness was normal, and therapy was considered something only “kooks” did. Thankfully, we know better now.
