Personal hygiene is about more than vanity. Keeping yourself clean not only helps prevent the spreading of diseases, it also reduces your chances of catching them. In addition to health concerns, some societies see good personal hygiene as an indication of class or even intelligence. Poor hygiene can be a sign of mental illness or emotional problems. Following basic personal hygiene tips are simple in this modern world.
Bathe Every Day
Several factors work in combination to produce body odor, according to the Better Health Channel. These include pheromones -- chemicals your body makes to attract or repel people sexually -- wastes like alcohol that are secreted through your skin, bacteria that feed on dead skin and sweat and unwashed clothing. Whether you take a shower, soak in a bathtub or run a wet washcloth over your more aromatic parts, it is important to keep your skin clean. If you are traveling or don't have daily access to enough water for a full-body wash, concentrate on your face, neck, armpits, groin area and feet.
Keep Hair Clean
Your scalp has sweat glands just as the rest of your skin does. Sweat and the oils from your hair follicles can mix with bacteria and get smelly if they are not washed away. Hair should be washed at least two to three times per week. If you prefer to wash your hair every day, and it is prone to dryness, you can dilute your shampoo or skip it entirely one time per week.
Keep Teeth Clean
Many kinds of bacteria live in our mouths, and they can contribute to bad breath. It's important to brush and floss your teeth every morning because your mouth does not produce saliva while you're sleeping, and the accumulated bacteria are what cause "morning breath." Brush after every meal, if possible, to remove any traces of food. Brush and floss before bed to keep bacteria from sitting on your teeth all night. Stay hydrated, and keep mints in your purse or pocket to help keep your breath fresh all day.
Wash Your Hands
Hands are the biggest culprits in passing germs from person to person. Wash yours after using the bathroom, after sneezing or blowing your nose and after handling pets or small children. Always wash your hands before preparing or serving food.
Pay Attention to Details
Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed and filed. Many people lavish care on their hands and completely neglect their feet. Change your socks every day, and be aware of changes in the skin of your feet that can signal the arrival of a fungus such as athlete's foot.
Wear Clean Clothes
It does no good to keep your body spotless if you put dirty clothes on it. Dry skin cells and bacteria can get trapped in fabric and develop that peculiar, funky smell you remember from gym class. Change socks and underwear every day. Hang clothing you intend to wear more than once between launderings so that it can air out.
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