Maintaining quality personal hygiene is one of the most important aspects of having good health and being a socially acceptable individual. The practice of personal hygiene includes some of the most basic human acts such as bathing, washing hands, brushing, and more. The aim is to keep your body clean, neat and prevent the spread of germs. As grown adults, we interact with a countless number of people every day and from that, we come in contact with germs and viruses. These germs can linger on for long periods and cause a plethora of diseases. Personal hygiene is not only the key to keep yourself healthy but also the people around you. When talking about maintaining a presentable physique, personal hygiene and grooming go hand in hand. Grooming is more about maintaining a tidy exterior whereas hygiene is more about body wellness and health. The idea of personal hygiene differs from person to person; it’s about how you want to care for your own body. Each individual makes their own intuitive decision when it comes to maintaining good hygiene. Let’s break it down and look at some of the different types of personal hygiene.
Toilet hygiene This has to be one of the most basic and important acts of maintaining good hygiene. Restrooms are usually used by multiple people and are filled with germs at all times. Therefore, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap after each use. If running water is not easily available, another solution is to use good quality, alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Shower hygiene This one is not just about keeping your body healthy and away from germs, but also about looking neat, tidy and making a good impression. Showering with soap every day helps get rid of dead skin cells and leaves your body looking fresh. Try and make it a point to wash your hair at least 2-3 times a week, since dirty/greasy hair is easily noticed and is frowned upon.
Teeth hygiene It is crucial to maintain good dental health, and this is not just about attaining pearly white teeth but also about the smell, and gum health. Bad breath can lead to a severely poor first impression and have a negative impact on your presentation of yourself.
Nail hygiene Keeping your nails clean and tidy is important as it prevents the spread of germs into your mouth or other openings in the body. Long, dirty nails are easily spottable and considered to be a sign of bad grooming. Trim your nails on a regular basis and use a nail brush to remove any buildup or dirt.
Hand hygiene Last, but definitely not the least, is the most basic hygiene tip. Keep your hands clean at all times. Germs on your hands can easily enter your body through the mouth, nose, ear or eyes. Make it a point to wash your hands throughout the day. Especially before meals, after you sneeze or cough, and anytime you touch an animal or encounter anything that’s unclean. Bad hygiene is directly related to poor health and illnesses. The immediate side effect of poor personal hygiene is greasy skin and bad body odor. These side effects can play a major role in determining the kind of impression you leave on people. Once you realize the importance of maintaining good hygiene and practice it on a daily basis, it slowly becomes a part of your routine and gets easier day by day. Some tips to achieve good personal hygiene: • Set reminders to do things like a shower, cut your nails, brush your teeth, etc. • Use visual reminders such as signs in the bathroom and kitchen that remind you to wash your hands etc. • Practice and patience is the key. Remember it takes a while to change your lifestyle and incorporate new habits into your day-to-day life.
