Our nails might be composed of dead cells, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t affected by how we live our lives. Our diets and habits can produce strong and healthy nails just as they can help us achieve strong and healthy bodies. Best of all, most healthy lifestyle improvements are free and can be started right away.
Also, there are several benefits to keeping our nails healthy. It helps prevent infections, which can be painful and unsightly, and a nice set of nails can provide a big confidence boost that will be reflected in your body language and attitude too.
Here are some of the ways you can get naturally strong and healthy nails for free.
- Drink enough water
We all know that keeping hydrated is good for our overall health, but did you know that one of the first places where chronic dehydration shows up is in your nails? If you drink too little over several days or weeks, your nails can become brittle and flaky. They’ll peel easily and become dull. In severe cases they can turn slightly yellow or blue. Make sure that you are drinking water regularly throughout the day. You can also use hand cream to moisturise them.
- Minimise nail contact with water
Water is great for your nails when you’ve been drinking it and it’s being delivered to them in your blood. It’s not so good when it’s directly applied to them. Too much exposure to water can make them brittle and weak. It’s obviously impossible to avoid wetting your hands entirely and you don’t need to sweat about this too much, but try wearing gloves when you do the dishes or keeping your hands dry if taking a bath.
- Eat a balanced diet
As well as showing signs of dehydration, your nails can also tell you if your diet is deficient in important nutrients. Eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet should keep them strong, but there are some nutrients you should try to get that might have a more direct impact on them. These include zinc, iron, and vitamins A and B12, which are also linked to skin health.
- Take breaks from false nails and polish
It may sound strange, but your nails need to breathe in order to be healthy. Constantly applying acrylic or gel nails on top of them, as well as frequently using gel polish or other nail polishes, will weaken them and cause them to peel. You can still use false nails, just don’t go from removing one set straight to applying another. Leave a week or so in between and your real nails will thank you for it. Do the same with nail polish, too.
- Don’t use them to open things
Nails do grow back, but too many breaks and chips can weaken them over time. Avoid using them for things that put pressure on them, like opening cans.
Conclusion
Keeping our nails healthy and strong is simple to do, and it’s important for more than just aesthetic reasons. Our nails provide valuable insights into our overall health, and the changes that benefit them typically help the rest of our bodies too.