Three Very Basic Things You Won't Believe You're Doing Wrong:

Here's something you might not know: The straight-backed chair has been around for thousands of years, but it's one of the reasons 80% of Americans have back problems. Basically, we're just not meant to sit at a 90-degree angle, and our bodies are more comfortable either kneeling, reclining, or sitting on a stool or a bench. So you've been sitting wrong your whole life and never knew it. Here's a list of three more basic things you won't believe you're doing wrong.

#1.) Going to the Bathroom. Humans aren't really designed to go to the bathroom sitting down. We're designed to squat. But modern toilets are getting taller and taller because people think they're more comfortable. It's actually something doctors have known for a long time: One medical textbook from 1964 said, quote, "the ideal posture for defecation is the squatting position, with the thighs fixed upon the abdomen." Using modern toilets is actually one of the reasons people get hemorrhoids, but I won't explain why, because it's pretty gross. If you want to achieve the squatting effect on a standard toilet, all you need are two strategically placed footstools.

#2.) Bathing. The gist of it is, we shower too much now, and it washes away the outermost layer of skin, which is called "the horny layer." No, I'm not joking. The horny layer is basically just dead skin, and it actually protects your living skin from all sorts of diseases. There's no real consensus on how many times you should shower per week, but it's less than seven. And instead of covering yourself in lather, you're supposed to only use a tiny bit of soap for your entire body.

#3.) Breathing. Here's a test: Take a deep breath right now . . . If you're like most people, you raised your shoulders and your chest puffed out a little. But the PROPER way to breathe is by using your diaphragm, which is under your lungs, closer to your stomach. When you breathe with your chest, you only use the top part of your lungs, and you get less oxygen, which can lead to headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and even panic attacks. To practice breathing the RIGHT way, try to "inflate" your stomach when you breathe in, and keep your chest somewhat still. If you practice it enough, your diaphragm will get stronger, and eventually you'll start doing it in your sleep.