The Importance of Personal Hygiene
One of the best ways to maintain good overall health and wellness is to maintain proper personal hygiene. Good personal hygiene reduces the risk for disease and negative medical conditions that stem from poor cleanliness practices. Plus, it helps you to stay clean, gives you a boost in confidence and positively impacts personal relationships. Keep reading for ways you can practice proper personal hygiene.
Good Personal Hygiene Practices
Wash Your Hands: Washing your hands is perhaps the most effective way to maintain cleanliness and prevent the spread of disease, as it helps rid your hands of germs and dirt. Follow these steps to properly wash your hands:
- Wet your hands with clean water and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them thoroughly with soap.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands well.
- Dry your hands with a towel or air dry.
It is recommended that you wash your hands frequently throughout the day, including after you use the bathroom, before and after preparing and eating food, when you come into contact with someone who may be sick and after taking out the trash.
Bathe: While older adults don’t necessarily need to bathe daily, it is recommended to shower or take a bath at least twice a week. Similar to washing your hands, washing your body removes dead skin cells and dirt and is a preventative measure to reduce the risk and spread of disease.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth Daily: Oral hygiene is crucial to keep in mind when considering personal hygiene practices. Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss once a day. Also be sure to maintain regular dental checkups.
Get Restful Sleep: Restful sleep is essential to wellbeing, no matter your age. Contrary to popular opinion, seniors don’t need less sleep than the average person –in fact, all adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
Avoid Spreading Sickness: If you aren’t feeling well, try your best to avoid the spread of your sickness. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and clean all the surfaces you touch with a disinfectant.
Create a Routine: It’s best to create a routine when it comes to personal hygiene. This way, you’ll have a mental checklist of the things you need to do daily in order to stay clean and healthy.
Discover Wellness Opportunities at Springpoint
At Springpoint, your wellness is our top priority. That’s why we offer LivWell, our award-winning holistic wellness program that touches on all seven dimensions of wellness. Each of our eight Life Plan communities offers LivWell through various activities and amenities. The best part about LivWell? The program is entirely driven by choice. We work with you to discover your top goals and priorities and lead you to ways you’re able to contribute positively to your health.
Have questions about LivWell? Contact our team today. We’re here to answer any questions you may have about maintaining wellness in our communities.
