Personal hygiene isn't just personal. It can affect people close to you as well as people around you who don't even know you. Personal hygiene is about keeping your body clean and well-maintained. There are several basic activities you can do to ensure that your personal hygiene is up to par.
Hand Washing
One of the most basic personal hygiene activities, hand washing is especially important in social settings because people constantly use their hands to greet each other. Because hands contact a number of surfaces daily, they are one of the easiest transporters of germs and bacteria. Wash your hands regularly to keep them clean and free of germs. You should adhere to strict hand washing, especially after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing or handling food.
Dental Care
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily. These activities will not only give you healthy teeth, they will help you avoid awkward social situations caused by bad breath. Proper tooth care through regular brushing and flossing will help rid your mouth of leftover food particles that can cause bad breath.
Showering
The body is constantly collecting dirt, grime and sweat and must be washed regularly. Failure to do this can often lead to body odor. Regular showering or bathing, including washing all parts of the body, including the hair, will lead to clean, pleasant-smelling skin and hair that is free from rank odors. Regular hair washing will also prevent dandruff, lice and similar conditions.
Applying Deodorant/Antiperspirant
The regular use of deodorant or antiperspirant will also help decrease or eliminate body odor. The body is constantly secreting sweat from glands all over the body, but especially from under the arms. Applying deodorant masks the unappealing scent of sweat, while antiperspirant causes that area of the body to produce less sweat.
Feminine Hygiene
Proper care during a woman's menstrual cycle is essential to personal hygiene. As the body flushes out blood and other fluids, proper washing and use of pads or tampons is essential to preventing odor and even infection. Change your pad or tampon on a regular basis to avoid odor and prevent yeast infection, which can be caused by bacteria lingering in and around the vagina.
Member Comments