Practicing good personal hygiene can literally be the difference between getting a coveted job or not. Good hygiene also can mean that others are going to want to be be around you rather than trying to avoid you and associated bad odors. Those who neglect good hygiene practices can spread illnesses and germs to others.
Significance
You use personal hygiene to prevent illness--food-borne, airborne and waterborne. When you wash your hands after using the bathroom, you prevent others from coming into contact with any germs, viruses or bacteria that may be in your body, according to Hygiene Expert. You also should practice good personal hygiene to maintain good personal and professional relationships with others. When you're clean, others may be less likely to avoid being close to you or working with you.
Types
Your personal hygiene should include practices such as bathing or showering on a daily basis, using antiperspirant or deodorant, shampooing your hair for cleanliness and brushing and flossing your teeth to maintain good dental health.
Restaurants and fast food outlets require their employees to wash their hands after using the restroom. Intestinal illnesses, bacteria and viruses can be spread easily by those who are sick or who are carrying the germs, according to Health Buffer.
Good personal hygiene includes clean clothing and shoes. Washing your clothes or having them dry-cleaned regularly helps to remove stains and old body odor. Taking care of your shoes so they don't begin to harbor foot odor also is important.
Effects
You should habitually step into the shower every morning before you go to school or work or you should take a shower at night before going to bed. If you skip your shower, others around you will notice body odor and will start to distance themselves from you physically. If you don't brush your teeth regularly, others may be offended by your bad breath. Your dental health also will suffer because you won't be brushing food particles and plaque from your teeth and mouth.
These social and health implications can have a serious impact on you, personally and professionally. If you're looking for a job and you have all the qualifications required but your hygiene is lacking, the company you've applied to could pass you over because of their concern that you look as if you're unable to care for yourself, according to Hygiene Expert.
Considerations
Toddlers can begin to learn good personal hygiene practices by watching their parents and older siblings. Their parents can help them develop the habit by brushing their teeth for them, helping them wash their hands, giving them daily baths and changing their clothes when needed, according to Hygiene Expert. The parents can further help to make personal hygiene practices a daily habit by talking to their children and explaining the need for good hygiene.
Benefits
You benefit from good personal hygiene because you help your body to fight off germs you encounter every day, according to Hygiene Expert. If you have a cut on your hand, washing your hands regularly helps you to get rid of the germs that could cause a skin infection. If you or a family member are suffering from an intestinal illness, washing your hands every time you've been in the bathroom helps to prevent the spread of the illness to other family members.
Food service workers, medical personnel, emergency medical technicians and teachers who are conscientious about practicing good personal hygiene are instrumental in helping to slow the spread of communicable diseases.
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