A Guide to Good Personal Hygiene

Believe it or not, the air around you is full of millions of different types of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These microorganisms use your body as a host to easily develop and reproduce. In this regard, personal hygiene is important. Good personal hygiene can easily reduce the risk of catching an illness from these microorganisms. On the other hand, the lack of it can negatively affect your physical, mental, and emotional health. In this article, you will learn some proven tips to help you develop a good hygiene routine for you and your loved ones' well-being.

What Exactly is Meant by "Personal Hygiene"?

Personal hygiene is all about maintaining your body hygiene, which means caring for your well-being by implementing specific practices that promote physical cleanliness. Additionally, there are advantages to one's mental health due to the interconnected nature of the two.

What does it mean to have poor Personal Hygiene?

It doesn't matter whether you do it unconsciously, like picking your nose or ear with your finger, or if you do it habitually, like not cleaning your teeth thoroughly; either way, you're engaging in poor personal hygiene. Along similar lines, there are certain behaviours that we intentionally engage in just because we feel lazy or don't perceive their worth in it. For example, not having a shower every day or not feeling that regular hand washing is necessary are examples of such behaviours.

You should practice the following fundamental aspects of good personal hygiene if you wish to reduce the likelihood of contracting an illness and also improve your general health −

Cut your nails short − Hangnails and infected nail beds are only two of the issues that may be avoided by keeping your fingernails and toenails trimmed and in excellent condition. Those who keep their feet clean and dry are less likely to come down with an athlete's foot.

Take showers regularly − Taking a regular bath is essential for maintaining good hygiene. While showering every day is generally sufficient for most people, there are some exceptions. For example, if you're into too much physically active work, you may need to take more than one shower daily. A regular bath helps get rid of dirt, sweat, and other debris from the body, and that prevents the spread of germs and bacteria in our bodies. Also, bathing can help you to moisturize your skin and prevent certain skin conditions, such as acne. Plus, you feel great and de-stressed after a long day post taking a bath.

Always be sure to wash your hands − The covid pandemic has taught us one thing: washing hands is the ideal way to protect our bodies from unwanted illnesses.

You should wash your hands −

Before, during, and after preparing food

Before eating food

After going to a toilet

After changing diapers or cleaning your child post toilet

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After touching an animal or petting them

After handling garbage

You should also floss − It is best to practice cleaning your teeth with toothpaste after each meal. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day as a bare minimum. When you brush your teeth, you reduce the number of bacteria that builds up in your mouth, which helps prevent cavities and gum disease. Additionally, flossing aids in the maintenance of robust and healthy gums. The germs that may accumulate and lead to gum disease can go directly to the heart and create extremely significant issues with the valves there. Your teeth may become more mobile if you have unhealthy gums, making it difficult to chew food and consume it appropriately. Visit your dentist at least once every six months for examinations and cleanings to ensure that your smile remains in good health.

Sleep tight − You should aim to get between eight and ten hours of sleep each night so that you may wake up feeling revitalized and prepared to face the day. Your natural defences, including your immune system, might become compromised when you don't get enough sleep, which can leave you feeling worn down.

To get rid of body odour − you should always put on some deodorant after you get out of the shower if you want to continue smelling clean. Apply deodorant not just to your underarms but also to your clean garments. If you are sweating, putting on perfume is not a good idea since it will just make your body smell worse. First, wash any sweaty clothing you were wearing, then change into fresh clothes, and last put on some deodorant.

Put your attention first on the safety of your meals − It is recommended that anybody who cooks wash their hands both before and after handling raw or cooked food. If you make this practice a part of your routine, you will eliminate the risk of contaminating food in your home. Hands that are not properly cleaned are more likely to attract germs, which is unhealthy. The germs can be transferred to food, which would then make us sick. As a result, food safety must be maintained, and this may be accomplished by maintaining high standards of sanitation and cleanliness.

Wash Your Hair Regularly − Washing your hair needed regularly. You should wash your hair at least three times each week to keep your scalp and hair clean. Our hair is harmed owing to various environmental causes, including pollution, filth, grime, etc. Our hair suffers a lot of damage as a result of all of these things, which causes it to become dry and frizzy. It is essential to wash one's hair three times a week using a shampoo that does not include sulphate to eliminate this problem. In addition, use a conditioner on your tresses so that they may be healthy and shiny when you've finished styling them.

Conclusion

If you know someone who doesn't seem to care about their appearance or hasn't showered in a while, this might be a clue that they are sad. People who are feeling sad or melancholy tend to ignore themselves in their daily lives. Some individuals might benefit from hearing about the significance of maintaining adequate personal cleanliness in warding off sickness and being provided with products related to such hygiene. In your conversations, strive to be honest while yet being sensitive. Despite your best efforts, it's possible that your friend or loved one needs the assistance of a professional. If they don't make any progress with their hygiene, you should strongly suggest that they see a therapist or a physician.