If you’re like most women, your purse
is your home away from home, a repository for everything from makeup and Mecis
to tech gadgets and gym gear. But if you’re not careful, that carryall could
compromise your well-being. Ask yourself these questions to diagnose what might
be wrong and then learn how to make it right.
If
you’re like most women, your purse is your home away from home, a repository
for everything from makeup and Mecis to tech gadgets and gym gear.
Does It Weigh You Down?
An oversize, overstuffed satchel puts
stress on muscles and nerves, which can lead to shoulder and neck pain, says
Karen Erickson, a chiropractor in New York City Limit your load to less than 10
percent of your weight. Choose a light, soft bag (read: no bulky hardware),
then pare down to the essentials, placing larger items, like your tablet and
cross-trainers, in a separate tote.
Are The Straps Too Thin?
Those angry red marks on your shoulders are
a sign they are, says Kiran V. Pate1. M.D.. of the Spine and Pain Institute of
New York, For shoulder bags, look for straps at least an inch and a half
across, and switch sides Frequently; those on cross-body models (an ideal
choice because they distribute weight evenly) should be 3 inches wide.
Are
the straps too thin?
Is It Clean?
University of Arizona researchers found
that 33 percent of women’s purses are teeming with bacteria, including E coil. To
avoid germs, hang yours on a hook instead of slinging it on the floor especially
in bathrooms and keep it off the kitchen counter, says Atlanta internist Sandra
Fryhofer, M.D. At least once a week, run a disinfecting wipe over the outside
of the bag (if its leather, check the label for instructions) and tidy the
inside with a handheld vacuum or damp cloth.
It Organized?
Rummaging through a messy bag isn’t just
annoying, it could also be hazardous. “For example, if a condom is beat up, it
could have holes in it, which means it won’t do its job.” says Fryhofer.
Tampons and makeup brushes are also vulnerable to infection or breakout causing
contaminants. Stay safe by relegating personal care items and cosmetics to
separate compartments or pouches far away from your keys.
19 Percent of women who use a big purse as
something to hide behind when they’re feeling fat
19
Percent of women who use a big purse as something to hide behind when they’re
feeling fat
