“Personal hygiene is one of the fundamental components of a healthy lifestyle and is related to other topics such as food, physical exercise and mental health,” explains the doctor and surgeon, Katherin López. In other words, to maintain good health at all levels it is necessary to seek daily hygiene practices both in the home and in other work and coexistence spaces.
In all the environments in which we develop and develop daily activities there are different microorganisms, among these, Bacteriafungus, virus and parasites found on different surfaces and objects. That is why it is vital to maintain adequate hygiene habits, to prevent these pathogenic organisms from entering and replicating in the body, causing diseases or discomfort. The consequences can be from a common cold to a generalized blood infection.
Common hygiene errors
Do not wash your hands: For lack of habit or time, many people avoid Hand washing In important moments. For example, before each meal, after going to the bathroom or after touching surfaces or pets. This is one of the most common errors, since this facilitates the spread of bacteria that abound in the environment. If you do not have access to soap and water, another option is to use a disinfectant product while finding a space to make the appropriate hand washing.
Do not use mask at certain times: Upon contacting sick people, with some symptom of respiratory diseases, it is important to use mask to avoid contagion. In the same way it is advisable not to have contact with sick people since this increases the probability of contamination to our body.
Maintain a messy and dirty environment: Just as it is important to maintain good body hygiene, it is to ensure that home spaces, work and other places are in perfect order and free of dirt, since in this way we can also reduce the risk of diseases and at the same time improve mood.
Do not use dental thread: Brushing after each meal is one of the most basic habits to guarantee good oral health. However, so is the use of dental thread as a way to avoid diseases in gums, caries and bacterial plaque formation in gums. Many people do not take this step in their brushing routine, leaving a space to the accumulation of bacteria.
Do not bathe daily: Bad odors and skin rashes can be an effect of low body hygiene. One of the ways to avoid these discomfort is through the daily shower with soap and water. This habit prevents the spread of bacteria and dirt.
In addition to avoiding these errors, other recommendations to guarantee good health through hygiene, are the following: Use own personal hygiene products, drink two to three liters of water a day, maintain a balanced diet, sleep about eight hours a day and perform physical activity for at least thirty minutes a day, suggests López.
Hygiene habits for adults and children
According to López, to cultivate daily hygiene habits in children and adults, the following steps can be followed:
- Establish a daily hygiene routine, including washing your hands, bathing or showering, and brushing your teeth.
- Provide education about the importance of hygiene.
- Make hygiene fun and accessible, especially for children.