Did you know that we don’t have that 5 senses ? In fact, we are endowed with a multitude of senses such as thermoception (ability to perceive heat) or nociception (perception of pain). But those that we know best are obviously the top 5, namely sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. The associated organs face many assaults every day and it is important to take care of them. Through their book “Take care of yourself now! To live happily longer ”, the authors * draw on scientific studies to provide advice on how to live happy and healthy lives.
*“Take care of yourself now! To live happily longer ”, Flammarion edition, written by Eric Dupont, Diane Bilodeau Christine Michaud, and Christian Forton, (researchers, lecturer, and doctor respectively)
Take care of your ears
What are they used for? Our ear is made up of 3 parts: the inner ear, the middle ear and the outer ear. It is in the external duct that the cerumen, or ear wax, by sebaceous and perspiration glands. Although this substance is not very tasty, it is essential to protect the ear canal from bacteria and to lubricate it.
How to take care of it ? As the earwax naturally travels outside the duct, doctors strongly advise against “fetching it” using a cotton swab. On the contrary, this act risks pushing the wax back inwards and creating a plug that can harm hearing. This is also why cotton swabs will be banned for sale by 2020.
Another tip to pamper your ears: protect them from important noises. Mowing the lawn, going to a concert, or driving your windows open on the highway can lead to hearing loss over time. The best is then to reduce as much as possible the time of exposure to high sound volumes and if necessary, to wear protections such as a helmet or earplugs.
Protect your nose from infections
What is it for? The nose is a multifaceted organ: it ensures the passage of inhaled air, it heats and humidifies the air, it filters viruses and other bacteria and it allows us to perceive odors. Stuffy nose, runny nose, allergies … He is regularly prone to infections can hinder the passage of air and the perception odors.
How to take care of it ? To protect it, it is recommended to irrigate its nose, using a spray for example, with a physiological saline solution. You just have to make the liquid penetrate through one nostril and tilt your head so that it can flow freely through the other. Note that tobacco greatly affects olfactory acuity. Good news, she comes back only 48 hours after quitting smoking!
Defend your eyes from multiple assaults
What are they for? These small, living cameras capture light which is then analyzed by our brain to form an image. The eyes are also exposed to everything a lot of assaults : UV, wind, dust, cold, sweat, bacteria, cosmetics, screen, etc.
How to take care of it ? For dry eyes, it is advisable to use physiological serum or artificial tears. If you regularly work on screens, it is best to take regular breaks so that you don’t strain your eyes too much. The light emitted by the LEDs on screens increases the risk of cataracts and damage to the retina. Protect yourself from it with “anti- blue light Is therefore also recommended.
Preserve your sense of taste
What is the language for? The tongue is essential for swallowing, speaking, chewing and tasting. It’s the sense of taste which allows us to select our foods and distinguish what is good from what could be dangerous.
How to take care of it ? It is possible that the sense of taste is altered in case of poor oral hygiene. It is dental plaque, a bacterial film stuck against the teeth, that can damage the gums, cause bad breath and affect taste. To get rid of it, nothing could be simpler: brush regularly teeth and floss. The book insists on not forgetting the tongue, bacteria’s favorite hiding place. But this advice is not shared by all experts. The French Dental Association (ADF) believes that systematic brushing of the tongue can harm the good bacteria that inhabit the mouth.
Take care of your hands
What are they for ? In general, the skin protects the body from external aggressions (UV, pollution, microbes, etc.), participates in the regulation of body temperature, contributes to the synthesis of vitamin D and endows us with the sense of touch. The skin of the hands is in permanent contact with the outside and therefore with viruses and bacteria.
How to take care of it ? If you put your hands on your face, you risk getting infected. Must therefore wash one’s hands (without forgetting the nails) regularly, without waiting for them to be dirty! Drying them well is also important, because bacteria like humidity. Soap does not kill them, but prevents them from attaching to our skin. The disinfectant solutions alcohol-based products should be avoided, unless you are working in a hospital, as they dry out the skin and promote crevice formation.
As a bonus: cultivate your sense of humor!
Norwegian researchers in 2016 studied the impact of a good sense of humor on health. It has been linked to lower mortality, heart problems and infections. This is because the region of the brain controlling laughter is the same as the one controlling stress. Laughter then opposes the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which have harmful effects on health. Stress contributes to premature aging of the body, wear and tear of the heart, weakened immune system, obesity, etc. Laughter is contagious, but good for your health!
