EXCLUSIVE PERSONAL HYGIENE GUIDE FOR BETTER HEALTH

Personal Hygiene 101

Personal hygiene is your first step towards leading a healthy and happy life. It can protect you and your loved ones against the spread of infectious diseases. Hygiene has been a virtue known to society since ancient times. Yet, many fail in practising hygiene and cleanliness, even in the modern world. It is essential for the safety and well-being of everyone.

What is personal hygiene?

Hygiene, in simple terms, refers to the conditions and practices that one needs to maintain good health and prevent the spread of diseases. Good personal hygiene includes specific rules associated with promoting good health. Habits such as washing hands, brushing teeth, taking a bath, and more, can keep bacteria, viruses, and other germs away, which is good for your physical and mental health. As the world tackles the COVID-19 pandemic, personal hygiene has become the best prevention method. The battle to fight COVID-19 has become easy for those practising good hygiene.

Some advantages of personal hygiene are that it can help to get rid of:

• •Body odour
• •Dirty hair
• •Bad breath
• •Dirty clothes
• •Unhealthy nails
• •Greasy skin
• •Underlying physical and mental issues

Some people may not have access to soap and clean water, while some might not be interested in maintaining good hygiene. However, personal hygiene for men, women, and kids is essential, and you should not ignore it. If we work towards keeping better hygiene, it will help you and the generations to follow.

Benefits of personal hygiene

Personal hygiene and good grooming come with many benefits for the body and mind. Some apparent reasons why people focus on the importance of personal hygiene in day-to-day life are to:

• Lower the risk of infectious diseases that spreads through viruses and bacteria
• Enhance the quality of life and social acceptance
• Improve self-esteem and confidence
• Maintain physical and mental health
• Make you look neat and clean
• Keep your body strong and healthy
• Help with speedy recovery in case of injury 
• Prevent itching, dryness, foul body odor, and more

Both female hygiene and male hygiene involve a set of essential practices that are vital for health. These practices will form the bedrock of good health and wellness in years to come. So the earlier you start, the better it is. Here is a personal hygiene guide that can come in handy.

Personal hygiene guide

There are different ways of maintaining personal hygiene. Here are six fundamental ways:

Hand hygiene

Having a good hygiene regimen for your hands is one of the most important gifts you give to your body to stay healthy and fit. Most of the viruses and diseases spread because of dirty hands. It doesn't matter if you have a cold or cough, are just touching different surfaces, or are in a contaminated place: you must be careful. You must never forget to clean your hands before touching your face or food after this kind of exposure. Here are other instances when you should wash your hands:

• •Before and after preparing food
• •Before and after eating food
• •Before and after helping a sick person
• •Before and after touching pets
• •After blowing your nose
• •After touching dirty surfaces 
• •After entering a home or office

Make sure to carry an alcohol-based sanitizer when stepping out of the house. It will help you constantly keep your hands clean. We suggest Godrej Protekt sanitizer for you to choose, click here  That said, remember that a sanitizer is no substitute for a 20-second wash with an antibacterial soap under clean running water. So, every chance you get, try and wash your hands. Also, always moisturize your hands because you don't want dry skin at the cost of having clean hands.

Dental hygiene

A dental regimen will help reduce issues such as discolouration of the teeth, reduce plaque, remove odour, reduce gum problems, stop bleeding of the gums, and more. You have to brush at least twice a day and gargle with a good mouthwash. Remember, right after you do both, do not eat or drink anything for at least half an hour. It will help the ingredients to do their work on your teeth. For more information on products clicks here.

People underestimate the importance of flossing. We suggest these flossing products, click here. It helps remove the hidden plaque that, over some time, tends to create tooth decay. Eating right and rinsing your mouth well after each meal is also one of the steps for personal hygiene. Get regular check-ups with a dentist. Based on your dental condition, they will suggest the frequency of visits and give you tips for personal cleanliness and hygiene.

Body hygiene

Body hygiene is fundamental but crucial among different types of personal hygiene. Start with taking a shower once or twice every day. Ensure to clean all the body parts, including your armpits, privates, and back. You should wash your hair once every three days. Get some personal hygiene products to help you have a refreshing and rejuvenating body hygiene regime. These products include essential oils, loofah, intimate wash, a fragrant shower gel, a good and calming shampoo, and conditioner. You must get suitable products based on your skin type.

Proper bathing will ensure you are clean and free of skin irritation and remove bacteria that cause body odour. Clean yourself with a wet cloth or sponge if running water is not available. Other personal hygiene and cleanliness practices include:

• •Cutting nails regularly
• •Washing clothes with quality detergents
• •Drying clothes under the sun, including undergarments and towel
• •Trimming hair every three months
• •Changing clothes every day
• •Wash feet after coming home and before bed
•  

Intimate hygiene

Intimate hygiene keeps our private areas clean, dry, and fresh. It goes for both men and women. The pH of the genital area is more acidic than the rest of the body, so it requires special care. Intimate hygiene typically means washing the genital area, wearing soft and breathable underwear, washing after using the toilet, washing after sexual intercourse, shaving pubic hair, and eating healthy.

Intimate area hygiene for females is a little more elaborate, especially true during menstruation and pregnancy. Make sure you avoid spraying water directly on the vagina and use only a soft towel to wipe it dry. Always wipe your privates clean from front to back with vaginal wipes or napkins. Avoid wearing tight jeans, pants, and underwear, especially during pregnancy and menstruation. Visit a doctor if you experience any unusual vaginal discharge or infection in the genital area, and treat it without delay.

Menstrual hygiene

There are a lot of stigmas and social exclusion associated with menstruation. However, awareness is the key to getting things right. Educating young girls and women about menstrual hygiene can go a long way. Washing your body, including the private area during menstruation, remains the same every day. However, women are at the centre of household activities in most families, and their hygiene impacts the entire household. Thus, having access to menstrual hygiene products to protect them is necessary. It is among the essential personal hygiene for women.

Use clean tampons, sanitary pads, and menstrual cups during your periods. Change them regularly, at least every 4-5 times a day. Also, wash hands before and after using pads and tampons and sanitise menstrual cups before and after every use. Take the necessary rest during your periods, as it will only help you get better. We have shortlisted these products for menstrual hygiene, click here.

Travel hygiene

As much as the travel bug may bite you, the last thing you need is for you to catch an infection or some sickness at the end of it. Therefore, you need to take special care while travelling or using public toilets. Use personal hygiene products to stay clean, fresh, and away from potential disease when travelling. Whether you travel by rail, road, or other means of transport, it is always better to have a travel hygiene kit handy.

Travel hygiene products for men and women should include wet wipes, hand sanitiser, intimate wash, toilet seat cover, male grooming products, waste disposal bags, sanitary napkins, SOS medication, dental kit, and more. They all work during an emergency and can come in handy in the unlikely case that you have lost your baggage in transit or require something that is easily accessible. However, a word of caution—do not make your travel kit heavy and not easy to carry. Just carry stuff you need, and you will be good to embark on your adventure.

Conclusion

A personal hygiene guide should not be limited to our bodies. You should also focus on maintaining clean surroundings. This includes keeping our home, office, and every place we travel clean. Personal hygiene products you must include in your daily regimen are toothbrush, intimate wash, nail cutter, men grooming kit, body wash, shampoo, among others.