Personal hygiene includes the frequent grooming, washing and general care of your body. Hygiene is not just important because of the social aspects (who wants to go out in public with body odor?), but also due to the fact that personal hygiene can help prevent certain types of diseases and conditions. There are some simple, everyday things you can do to make sure your personal hygiene is the best it can be.
Showering and Bathing
Showering or bathing daily is one of the best ways to stay on top of personal hygiene. A shower or bath gives you the opportunity to clean your entire body and get rid of the dirt and grime you've accumulated during the day or overnight. Some people prefer to shower or bathe in the morning to help them wake up. Others prefer to do it at night to get the grime of the day off and help them sleep better. If you have a particularly dirty job, such as construction or working in a restaurant, you may want to consider showering once in the morning and again after your work shift to avoid sleeping in the grime you've accumulated at work.
Hair and Nails
As part of showering or bathing, you should wash your hair at least a few times per week. This will help your hair look and feel clean and also can prevent conditions such as dandruff, lice and other things that might cause embarrassment in public. You also can occasionally use hair conditioner in addition to shampoo to make your hair shiny and bright.
Your nails are another important area that need special attention. Nails that are kept trim and groomed will prevent germs and grime from spreading over everything you touch, including food.
Dental Care
Brushing and flossing of your teeth not only leads to good dental health, but it also can help to prevent bad breath and yellow, stained teeth. Dentists advise brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once daily. This will prevent food from staying in your teeth. Dentists also advise brushing your tongue and the roof of your mouth to eliminate bad breath.
Menstrual Hygiene
The menstrual cycle can be the most uncomfortable time of the month for women, but it is important to make sure to take proper care of your body during this time. Using tampons or menstrual pads is essential to controlling the flow of your period, and you should take extra time when you bathe or shower to ensure proper cleansing. Failing to properly account for menstrual hygiene can lead to strong odors and even infection.
Hand Washing
One of the more overlooked but easiest ways to ensure good personal hygiene--and prevent the spread of disease--is frequent hand washing. Pay special attention to washing your hands after handling foods like raw meat and after using the restroom, as bacteria can get on your hands and be transported to other places and people. Your hands are one of the most used parts of your body on a daily basis, so it is important to make sure they are clean as often as possible.
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