Personal hygiene should always be among your top priorities in self-care and personal development. And it has a wide variety of positive implications ranging from better health to higher self-esteem.
If you've been struggling with self-care lately (it happens to everyone) or you need to teach the kids why it’s important, here are the best reasons why!
Look and smell good
An obvious benefit of good personal hygiene is presentation. Let’s face it. Regardless of your age and gender, we all want to look better. And there is, of course, more than one factor that goes into how we appear to others. But the starting point is always good personal hygiene.
You may have the latest designer clothing and a winning personality. But if you smell like you need a shower, it's not great for making impressions. Or if your smile is literally golden because you didn't brush in the morning, it shows during the day. The bottom line is that nothing can conceal the disheveled appearance or odor of poor personal hygiene. And whether it’s a first date or a business meeting, you owe it to yourself to be at your best.
Keep infections at bay
If the recent pandemic has anything to teach, it’s washing your hands frequently. And it’s not just your hands; you need to keep the whole body clean. The thing with viruses is that they’ll latch on to living beings that offer accommodation. And poor personal hygiene can be a favorite hangout for these organisms.
There’s a good reason why surgeons give their hands a thorough wash before and after any medical procedure. And we may not be a practicing doctor, but we all need the same health benefits of good hygiene.
Healthier eating
You may be splurging on a gourmet chef's latest dish or your own homemade cooking. But how healthy it is, depends on your own personal cleanliness. Closely related to avoiding infections, good hygiene can ensure that your food stays clean and nutritious. After all, it’s you who’s putting the food in your mouth. Why wouldn’t you want yourself clean before, during, and after eating?
If you're a lover of street food or fast food, this is even more important. These instant foods come from hands that are interacting with other customers and staff the whole day. And keeping yourself clean is the best way of avoiding health issues from your diet.
Prevent unnecessary health issues
There are countless medical conditions associated with poor hygiene. Everything from rashes and diarrhea to lice and tooth decay can come from unhygienic lifestyles. Other conditions like swimmer’s ear and athlete’s foot aren’t just confined to the Olympics. Unhealthy self-care can bring any of these conditions to your body.
The good news is that basic self-care routines like regular showers and good dental hygiene can help avoid all of these issues. So, even in these cases, the power is truly in your hands and control.
Easy tips for good personal hygiene
So, we know how crucial it is to stay clean and all the benefits that come with it. What are some basic ways we can ensure it in our lives? Here are some easy tips you can build as habits.
- Take at least one nice, full shower every 1-2 days.
- Always wash your hands after any activity where you touched possibly contaminated surfaces. Good examples of this are after going to the bathroom, petting an animal, grocery shopping in a public place, etc.
- Regularly brushing your teeth (at least once on a daily basis).
- Cover your mouth with a handkerchief, tissue, or your hands if you feel the need to cough/sneeze.
These are basic hygiene practices that will come naturally if you build them as habits. And before you know it, you’ll be your healthiest and most presentable self in any situation.