How To Manage Personal Hygiene

Shower daily

This is the best way to get rid of any dirt, sweat, and/or germs that your body may have accumulated throughout the day, and prevents hygiene-related diseases.[1] As a plus, showering daily helps you feel, look, and smell your best throughout the day. Use a hand towel to gently scrub your entire body, removing dead skin cells and dirt. Remember to replace these items regularly as they can easily harbor bacteria.  If you don't want to wash your hair every day, then invest in a shower cap and wash your body with soap and water.  If you don't have time to shower, then use a hand towel to rinse your face and underarms at the end of the day.

Wash Your Face Daily 

Remember that the skin on your face is more sensitive than on other parts of your body. You can either use your face cleanser in the shower or wash your face separately at the sink.

Brush your teeth every morning and evening. 

Regular tooth-brushing helps prevent gum disease, which has been linked to other illnesses elsewhere in the body like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.[2] It is especially important to brush teeth after eating sweets or acidic foods that cause tooth erosion.  Floss your teeth every night to prevent the gum disease gingivitis.

Wear deodorant. 

Antiperspirant helps control excessive sweat, while deodorant covers up unpleasant body odor caused by sweat. Consider using a natural, aluminum-free deodorant to reduce potential health risks associated with conventional deodorants.  If you don't wear deodorant, then rinse your underarms with soap and water throughout the day to remove unpleasant odor.

Wash your clothes after wearing them. 

In general, shirts should be washed after every use, while pants and shorts can be worn a few times before they require washing. Use your best judgment to determine how often to wash your clothes.  

Clip your fingernails and toenails regularly. 

Not only will this keep your hands and feet looking their best, it will prevent hangnails, breakage, and other potential damage to your nails. Short nails can't trap dirt under them the way long nails do. How often you clip your fingernails will depend on your personal desired length. To decide, take into account what you use your hands for on a daily basis.  Use an orange stick to remove dirt from underneath the fingernails to prevent bacterial infections.

Personal Hygiene Steps to Prevent Illnesses

Wash your hands with soap and water. 

This is one of the most important ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.[4] Wash your hands after using the restroom, before, during, and after preparing food; before eating food; before and after caring for someone who is sick; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; and after handling animals and/or animal waste. 

Clean the surfaces in your home regularly. 

You should wipe the kitchen counter, floors, shower, and dining tables at least once a week using either soap and water or conventional household cleaning products. If you live with other people, consider coming up with a system of chores and alternate cleaning jobs every week.  Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products that contain less harsh chemicals than the conventional brands.  Always wipe your shoes on a doormat before entering the home. Consider taking your shoes off and leaving them at the door before entering the home, and asking guests to do the same. This will prevent the spread of dirt and mud throughout the house.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. 

This is extremely important if you want to avoid spreading germs to those around you. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after you cough or sneeze.

Don't share razors or towels with other people. 

Sharing personal items like these with other people increases the likelihood of spreading Staph infections.[5] If you do share towels or clothing, be sure to wash them both before and after lending them to others.

If you are a woman change your tampon/pad regularly. 

Women who use pads should change them every 4-8 hours. If you plan on sleeping more than eight hours, then wear an overnight pad while you sleep.

Keep up with doctor's visits. 

Seeing your doctor regularly can help catch illnesses and infections early, making it much easier to treat them. Visit your primary care physician, dentist, gynecologist, cardiologist, or any other physician you may be seeing on a regular basis. Visit your doctor when you are feeling sick or think you may have an infection, and be sure to keep up with routine check-ups.
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