When you buy clothes and shoes, you’re not just making fashion choices – you’re also making decisions that impact your health.

Contrary to popular belief, what you wear and how you carry yourself isn’t just about showcasing your penchant for style. These seemingly small choices can cause health problems over time. For example, have you ever thought that carrying a heavy handbag on one shoulder can put excessive pressure on one arm and damage your nerves? There is a term for this – heavy-purse syndrome. But without knowing what effect your daily purse is having on your health, you carry it to work or college every day.

This isn’t the only way health and fashion collide. Read on to learn about more fashion mistakes that can negatively impact your health:

heel

You probably already know that wearing high heels is not a good idea. This can lead to long-term problems like lower back pain, neck strain, knee pain and can also affect posture. Women, especially those in their thirties or who are going through menopause or perimenopause, should avoid wearing high heels on a regular basis as they experience changes in bone density during that time.

Wearing heels causes the calf muscles to contract and become shorter while the muscles along the shin bone get stretched. This imbalance can put a lot of pressure on the knees, causing severe knee pain.

Apart from this, wearing pointed heels and shoes can also cause problems like bunions, corns, ingrown toenails and arthritis.

No matter how stylish they look, wear heels once in a while.

“In terms of use on a daily basis, one should choose a shoe that provides comfort, support and strict alignment. Choose shoes with cushioned soles to absorb shock, adequate arch support to prevent strain, and a roomy toe box to allow natural movement of your toes. Look for lightweight, flexible materials and slightly higher heels (about 1-2 cm) for optimal posture,” suggests Dr. Yogesh Kumar, Director, Orthopedics, Joint Replacement and Sports Injuries, Shri Balaji Action Medical Institute, New Delhi. Is.

heavy bags

Many of us mix practicality with style and carry our entire world in our bags. And mostly one arm or shoulder has to bear the brunt of this. Improperly handling a heavy bag every day can lead to many health issues.

“Lifting heavy bags has long-term adverse effects on muscle and bone health. “Heavy bags put a lot of pressure on body parts like the shoulders, neck and spine, leading to muscle imbalances, poor posture and chronic pain over time,” says Dr. Says Mihir Thanvi, Consultant, Orthopedic, Apollo Spectra. Hospital, Jaipur.

He further explains that carrying a bag on the arm increases stress on the elbow and wrist, potentially leading to joint inflammation or nerve compression.

To prevent these health problems from developing, consider carrying only the essential items to make your bag lighter, or change it every day. You can also switch to a backpack with padded straps to distribute the weight evenly.

In such cases, regular stretching can also be helpful.

Tight clothing (think skinny jeans, corsets)

Have you ever heard of petticoat cancer? It is associated with tying the petticoat or dhoti too tightly and subsequent swelling in the waist. This happens when tight-fitting clothes, especially around the waist, are worn repeatedly.

This is just one example of how dangerous tight clothing can be.

Health experts also warn against wearing clothes like tight skinny jeans and corsets to avoid many health problems.

“Repeated or prolonged use of such clothing (such as tight skinny jeans) can restrict blood flow to certain parts of the body and cause numbness or tingling in the legs, medically known as meralgia paresthetica.” Is. Pressing the stomach can also cause acid reflux, bloating or indigestion. Tight jeans can also create a warm and moist environment around the vaginal area, which increases the risk of getting infected by yeast or urinary tract infection (UTI) in women,” says Dr. Andromeda Cancer Hospital, Senior Consultant and Head-Radiation Oncology Dr. Ashu Yadav has warned. Sonipat.

However, you may occasionally wear tight, sultry clothing such as a corset.

Dr. Yadav says, “During occasional use, tight clothing is non-hazardous, but one should wear loose ones to ensure ease and avoid any long-term damage through proper breathing and good circulation for overall health.” , should wear comfortable clothes.”

Ill-fitting and synthetic undergarments

When it comes to undergarments, fabric and fit matter a lot.

Synthetic and non-breathable materials are strictly prohibited, as they can trap moisture and cause skin irritation, fungal infections or urinary tract infections.

Additionally, a poorly fitting bra puts pressure on the shoulder and neck areas. You definitely don’t want to experience that discomfort and pain.

Contact lenses without proper care

Don’t we all love how colored lenses instantly add a touch of oomph to our look? Even clear lenses (non-colored ones), allow the eyes to take center stage rather than being overshadowed by heavy frames.

However, if one does not maintain proper hygiene or does not follow the basic norms of lens wearing, it can be disastrous.

Wearing contact lenses for too long, not cleaning them properly, or showering while wearing lenses can lead to eye infections, dryness, and even corneal damage.