Healthy living encompasses everything from the food you eat to the activities you participate in. However, one thing most people don’t think about when it comes to their overall health: is personal hygiene habits. People do certain things every day that can make them sick if they aren’t done properly. So here are some of the top personal hygiene tips that will help keep you healthy or even good-looking!
Wash your hands
Washing your hands is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection and illness. Yet, many people don’t do it as often as they should. To get the most benefit from hand washing, use warm water and soap and lather your hands for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to scrub your palms, fingers, under your nails, and between your fingers. Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dryer afterward.
If you don’t have access to soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol kills germs by dissolving the lipids that form the outer coating of certain bacteria and viruses.
Shower every day
Showering is a simple and easy way to keep yourself clean, but it’s also crucial for your overall health. It can help prevent infections and keep you from feeling sticky after physical activity. Showering every day helps you stay fresh and clean, and it can improve your mood by helping you feel more relaxed after a long day’s work or play.
You should shower at least once a day, but try to do so twice if possible. If you’re working out or doing some strenuous activity like gardening or construction work, washing up right away will help prevent bacteria from entering your pores—and that stinky smell! You should also wash off after playing sports or other activities where there’s potential for bacteria growth (like when swimming).
Most importantly, make sure that you’re washing all the areas of your body thoroughly. You may want to use soap or a body wash (preferably one without strong fragrances), but it’s unnecessary. Just make sure that you cover every part of your skin—including between your fingers and toes!
Brush your teeth daily
Brushing your teeth every day is one of the most important things you can do for your dental health. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes at least twice daily, with an optimal time of three minutes per session. They recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to achieve gingival health and maximum teeth protection.
Timely replacing your toothbrush is also essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and getting rid of potentially harmful bacteria that build up on the bristles over time. The ADA suggests replacing your brush every 3-4 months or when it shows signs of wear (such as fraying), whichever comes first. Brushing your teeth is the most important thing you can do to maintain good dental health, but it’s not the only thing.
You should also see your local dentist and ask them for a dental health check regularly, if necessary. However, going to the dentist can be a problem for some, especially kids, since they get scared just seeing sharp objects in their mouths. But don’t worry, because nowadays, there are many professional dentists you can find and rely on in one of the biggest cities in the United States.
Use deodorant
The most important thing you can do to keep your body odor under control is to use deodorant. Deodorant is essential in hot, humid weather when sweat tends to be more intense and visible.
You should be aware that the terms ‘deodorant’ and ‘antiperspirant’ are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two very different products:
- Deodorants remove or mask body odor with fragrances or antimicrobial ingredients that kill bacteria that cause odors. They’re usually less effective than antiperspirants at controlling excessive sweating (hence the name), which makes them ideal for people who don’t have this problem but want a product that keeps their armpits fresh-smelling when they wear tank tops on summer days.
- Antiperspirants contain active ingredients like aluminum salts that temporarily plug up sweat ducts, so less moisture gets released into the air as water vapor through the pores in your skin.
If you’re concerned about excessive sweating, it’s best to use both types of products together—for example, by applying antiperspirant at night before bedtime and then using a deodorant upon waking up to freshen up before heading out into public spaces throughout your day.
Trim your nails
Trimming your nails regularly is an essential part of personal hygiene. Nails should never be so long that they can scratch, tear or irritate the surrounding skin. To ensure that your nails do not become so long as to cause damage, you should use a nail cutter and cut them straight across at the tips every few days (or whenever your nails grow too long).
If you have a particularly tough time trimming long nails, try holding one finger at a time and using the sides of the clippers against each side of it. Once you have trimmed all of your nails straight across, run a nail file over the edges to smooth any rough patches caused by clipping them too short.
Never bite or chew on your nails because doing so can cause damage not only to the surface of your tooth enamel but also to its structure, making future dental work more challenging than ever.
In Closing
Taking care of your hygiene is something you can do to keep yourself healthy, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how you feel about yourself and how much you value your health. What will happen when you get older if you don’t take care of yourself now? You want to ensure that everyone around you knows they can trust your character because this isn’t just about looking good; it’s about acting right too!
