Doctor comes up with a VERY simple psychological trick to stop touching your face – as it’s revealed the average person does it 25 times per hour
- A doctor has revealed people touch their face a minimum of 25 times per hour
- Research showed 44 per cent of people touche their mouth, eyes and nose
- Dr Sam Hay said increasing awareness of this is essential to maintain immunity
- He said to create charts or place money in a jar every time you touch your face
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
It’s a difficult habit to break but if you can manage to stop touching your face it could help protect you from contracting the deadly coronavirus.
Researchers from Germany conducted a study involving medical students at a Sydney university and discovered humans touch their face at least 25 times per hour, with 44 per cent touching their nose, eyes or mouth.
Australian doctor Dr Sam Hay, who was part of the study, said while it may be challenging it can be achieved simply by increasing personal awareness.
Researchers from Germany conducted a study at a Sydney university and discovered humans touch their face at least 25 times per hour, with 44 per cent touching their nose, eyes or mouth
After conducting the research, Dr Hay’s main recommendation is to monitor this awareness by creating charts.
‘Start charts [and] every hour you last without touching your face earns you a star. Earn six a day and you get that coffee, beer or wine reward,’ Dr Hay told Body + Soul.
This star chart tactic will remind you to avoid touching your face and maintain this resistance throughout the day.
Though if this doesn’t work, use the ‘swear jar’ technique by placing 50 cents in a glass cup or jar every time you touch your face.
‘Think of it like a swear jar. Touch your face and it’s 50 cents in the post apocalypse slush fund,’ he said, which totals to $12.50 per hour if you touch your face 25 times,’ he said.
‘Think of it like a swear jar. Touch your face and it’s 50 cents in the post apocalypse slush fund,’ he said, which totals to $12.50 per hour if you touch your face 25 times
!['Make sure you're washing your hands regularly, especially before you eat, after sharing items from other people and especially after [touching] your nose,' Dr Hay said, as healthy authorities have strongly advised since the coronavirus pandemic began](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/17/22/26095608-8123537-image-a-15_1584485519587.jpg)
‘Make sure you’re washing your hands regularly, especially before you eat, after sharing items from other people and especially after [touching] your nose,’ Dr Hay said, as healthy authorities have strongly advised since the coronavirus pandemic began
The study also found an average of 36 per cent of participants touched their mouth, 31 per cent touched their nose and 27 per cent touched their eyes regularly throughout an hourly basis.
Across the course of a day these numbers multiply drastically, and if your hands aren’t clean this could lead to a decrease of immunity.
‘Make sure you’re washing your hands regularly, especially before you eat, after sharing items from other people and especially after [touching] your nose,’ Dr Hay said, as healthy authorities have strongly advised since the coronavirus pandemic began.