HealthyLife Articles

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Sharing A Bathroom And The Dangers Of Tooth Brushing

WELL-BEING

Leaving your toothbrush out on the bathroom counter subjects it to picking up all kinds of yucky germs, not only your own but those from others, and we’re talking about fecal coliforms (you can guess what those are). Toilet flushing or just being around other people’s poor hygiene can contaminate the toothbrushes.

Tooth brushes stored too close together promotes cross contamination of germs.

A study presented to the American Society for Microbiology examined toothbrushes in group bathrooms at a college campus. Turns out the problem is not your own germs, but those from other people who share the bathroom space.

Lesson learned-if you share a bathroom, don’t leave your toothbrush around. Even if you rinse it in hot water or mouthwash, it can still get contaminated. Putting it into a case is even worse because the environment inside the cover helps the nasty germs grow.

Solution? Let the bristles dry out somewhere else, such as in your bedroom.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Buzz About Alcohol

WELL-BEING

Drinking at social events or bars and the ease that a little buzz provides make it hard to limit yourself when friends gather around a pitcher of beer. Dennis Donovan, director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute at the University of Washington, has advice for how to drink moderately-or not at all.

*Count your drinks.In many cases, people lose track of how much they’ve had. This is especially true when sharing a pitcher of beer and someone refills the glass.

*Know a standard serving size.Large wine glasses, higher alcohol content in some beers, and generous liquor pours in mixed drinks make the “I only had one!” claim questionable.

*One drink, one hour.Most people’s bodies can process about one drink per hour. Pace yourself to one drink an hour or so, and every hour or two you might take a drink “off” and have water or another non-alcoholic beverage instead. Also, make sure to eat.

*Ginger ale looks like a cocktail.Teetotalers not wanting to attract attention or questions can stick to ginger ale or other non-alcoholic drinks that look like cocktails.

*Say no.Firmly, confidently turn down drinks and become resistant to social pressure and arm-twisting. Practice saying: “No, I’ve reached my limit” or “I’m not drinking tonight.”

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What To Say When Someone Is Grieving

WELL-BEING

“People are very uncomfortable when they try to comfort someone who is grieving. If you say the wrong thing, you can actually make matters worse,” said Aurora Winter, founder of the Grief Coach Academy and author of From Heartbreak to Happiness. Here are some tips on what to say at a funeral or wake to comfort people in their grief:

Do say:

* You’re not alone. I’m here.

* I can’t imagine how painful this must be for you.

* My heart goes out to you.

* What specifically can I do to support you?

Don’t say:

* Don’t feel bad.

* Be grateful you had her so long.

* At least you have other children.

* You’re young. You can get another husband/wife/child.

* It just takes time.

It is a relief to a grieving person to talk about their loss. You can support someone by (1) acknowledging their feelings and the situation, (2) listening without trying fix anything, and (3) giving hope and encouragement.

If you are at a loss for words, there is nothing wrong with being authentic and simply stating, “I don’t know what to say.”

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026