From a young age, the importance of personal hygiene is
instilled in us by our parents. Even if we are not explained why, we are taught
to brush our teeth every day, take regular showers and mind our appearance. The
fact of the matter is that good personal hygiene is crucial for both your
physical and mental health. Neglecting your personal hygiene not only results
in disease-causing germs accumulating on your body, but it will also negatively
affect your self-esteem. Here are a few crucial tips to stay on top of your
personal hygiene.
Wash
your hands often
Regardless of whether there is a global pandemic, washing
your hands frequently is paramount. It prevents the spread of bacteria and
viruses and protects both you and other people around you. Make sure you know
how to wash your hands properly: use soap and thoroughly clean both sides of
your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails. Don’t forget
to dry your hands afterward as touching anything with wet hands will ruin all
your efforts since bacteria will stick to them more easily.
Keep
your body clean
The next personal hygiene tip to live by is washing your
body. It both helps remove bacteria and dead skin cells and keeps body odor at
bay. The ideal frequency of taking a bath or shower will vary, though. While
you should certainly clean your body if you’re sweaty –after work or exercise–
to prevent irritation, keep in mind that showering too frequently can
dry out your skin and thus remove its protective barrier, which is not a
desirable scenario either. As for your hair, it’s even trickier to give exact
advice. Wash it at intervals that are suitable to your hair type and steer
clear of over washing since, again, this will strip it of its natural oils.
Makeup
considerations
Many of us use makeup on a daily basis but fail to consider
the risks that can come from ignoring the hygiene concerns. Products you use
every day can easily accumulate bacteria which you then transfer to your face.
Eye makeup products are a special concern. Clean your makeup brushes on a
weekly basis and wipe or sharpen your pencils to remove bacteria. Wash your
hands before applying makeup with your fingers or don’t use your fingers at
all. Throw away old and expired products. In addition, refrain from sharing
your makeup products with other people to minimize the risk of infection.
Take
care of your oral hygiene
Naturally, your personal hygiene also includes oral hygiene.
Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day, and switching your
toothbrush at regular intervals are all paramount. You might also want to visit
a dentist or dental hygienist at least once every six months. Don’t skip your
dental checkups because of financial concerns because you may end up with much more
expensive issues down the line. Instead, look into insurance that will cover a
good chunk of your dental bills. For instance, if you are a Bupa member, you
will be able to frequent Bupa dental providers
without worrying about your budget.
Mind
your clothes
When talking about personal hygiene, there are a few things
to keep in mind regarding clothes, too. Naturally, for a clean, put-together
appearance, your clothes must be clean, too. Do laundry frequently and always
wear clean clothes. Change your socks often to manage odor-causing bacteria.
You should also mind the material your clothes are made of – especially your
underwear and socks. Go for breathable materials like cotton so that bacteria
don’t multiply due to a lack of ventilation.
Maintaining your personal hygiene might seem like a lot of
work. However, it all boils down to having a solid routine that will keep you
on track. Create a good morning and bedtime routine and don’t neglect any
aspect of your personal hygiene for a healthy and fulfilled life.