One way to cut down on the stress in your life: Stop worrying so much. Easier said than done, right? Some things we simply must worry about -- the safety of our kids in this scary world, for example. But here are nine things we can strike from our worry lists, starting today.

Toilets
Yes, it's possible to contract an infection from potty seats -- see this previous post -- but it's not as likely as you might think. In fact, as long as you wash your hands after a trip to the bathroom, you'll likely never get one. You see, bacteria can't pass through intact skin so in order to catch something, you'd have to not wash your hands and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. As for STDs -- they are acquired only by having sex.

Doorknobs
Wash your hands in public restrooms, open doors with your elbows or use a paper towel to turn the knob and you'll fare just fine in the germ department.

Gas Fumes
Breathing gas fumes won't make you sick -- unless you breathe them constantly. Modern pumps use special nozzles to trap more than 90 percent of vapors.

Hair Coloring
If you're worried about hair dye -- permanent dyes have been linked for years to an increased risk of lymphoma, a type of cancer -- stick with semi-permanent or henna-based dyes.

Nail Polish
Polish your nails at home and you'll stay safe. Sit in a nail salon full of chemicals and you might risk your health. If you prefer the salon atmosphere, find locations that use personal ventilation hoods to remove, not recycle, contaminated air. You'll likely know when a shop uses these hoods because you won't smell the solvents when you walk through the door.

Dirt
A little dirt won't hurt. Studies show that kids who grow up dirty -- because of pets, older siblings, or daycare -- in the first year of life have a lower risk of allergies, asthma, eczema, and autoimmune diseases later in life. Just avoid contaminated dirt around construction sites, old homes with lead paint, or garbage dumps.

Microwave Ovens
Unless damaged, microwave ovens are safe and will not leak damaging radiation.

Cell Phones
So far, the National Cancer Institutes finds no link between cell phones and cancer. A 2005 study in Sweden did show a higher risk for people using cell phones in rural areas, and some studies suggest that frequent cell phone use, or carrying a cell phone on your belt or in your pocket, could affect male fertility. No conclusions just yet. But if you're worried, minimize your use.

Airplanes
Chances are you won't be injured on a airplane. A car, train, or bike? Much more likely. Just get up and walk around on long flights to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and you should be good to go.