Chances are, youve touched your face twice in the last five minutes. Even if you havent noticed. And amid the COVID-19 outbreak, this could be one of the most subtle, yet dangerous ways humans can contract the coronavirus.

Its not quite a reflex, but its automatic and we dont think about it, which is what makes it so hard to stop doing it, said Jim Pomerantz, a professor of psychological sciences at Rice University.

This is something thats so important, but I dont think its well enough understood by the public, continued Pomerantz, who is chair of the Psychonomic Society Governing Board, which released a list of five science-backed ways to stop this ingrained habit. Essentially, touching your face is the way not a way, the way that we get the virus.

On average, people touch their face 23 times an hour, according to a 2015 study in the American Journal of Infection Control. Whats more, the study reported that 44 percent of these touches involve contact with a mucous membrane, like the eyes, nose and mouth.

And these are our bodys greatest weaknesses, since coronavirus is spread through tiny droplets that can be inhaled or otherwise ingested through these openings, before attacking a persons insides.

Coronavirus is largely spread through human behavior; shaking someones hand and then failing to wash your hands. Then, Pomerantz said, were off to the races.

The only other way we get it is by folks coughing or sneezing in your face. And I cant remember the last time anybody ever sneezed or coughed in my face, said Pomerantz. So its entering through your eyes, nose or mouth. And the only way it gets there is if youre touching your face.

But how do you stop doing something you probably didnt even realize you were doing so often?

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The first step, he said, is awareness. Like any other habit hair twirling, or fingernail biting realizing how often you perform these behaviors is key to breaking the pattern. He suggests dabbing perfume or cologne on your fingertips, so youll smell your hand when it nears your face. Or perhaps try wearing a bandanna, he said. Your fingers are more likely to sense the alien fabric and alert your brain that somethings up.

Its like were saying, It cant be that simple! We have to have a vaccine or an expensive medical invention, said Pomerantz. But we can help save ourselves through simple preventions.

Here are the full set of guidelines to kick the habit, according to the Psychonomic Society:

Increase awareness. Ask a partner to tell you when youre touching your face. Try an hour of that, and youll realize youre not touching your face as much, said Pomerantz.

Help others. Think of the people youre trying to protect by not touching your face; gently remind others when you see them touch their faces.

Do other things with your hands. Put your hands in your pockets; hold something like a ball or a deck of cards in your hands; make fists for one minute after each time you catch yourself touching your face.

Change postures. Keep your elbows off the table; sit in chairs without armrests or the middle of your couch; sit on your hands if you cant keep from touching your face.

Practice relaxation techniques. Focus on taking a long, slow, deep breath an relaxing tense muscles; Sit in a quiet place and be mindful of that present moment; spend time in nature at a safe distance from others.

maggie.gordon@chron.com;

twitter.com/MagEGordon

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You touch your face 23 times an hour. Heres how to stop. - Houston Chronicle