Simple Hygiene Habits That Can Improve Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
We’re all taught proper hygiene habits from the time that we’re young children. We’re taught to take baths regularly, keep our fingernails clean, and brush our hair. These kinds of habits are taught in order to function with others in society. But hygiene habits are about much more than the way we look. Good hygiene can also promote better health for the body as a whole. Take a look at these simple hygiene habits that should be a part of the everyday routine in order to boost overall health and wellness for good.
Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth is about more than eliminating bad breath. It’s also about removing plaque and preventing decay. When plaque builds up, it can lead to gum disease, which has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and other serious health complications. To keep the teeth (and the body!) clean and healthy, brush a minimum of twice a day. Brushing after every meal and flossing at night is the best for the teeth as well as your long-term health.
Exfoliating
Though most people exfoliate to reduce or treat acne, this healthy habit brings other benefits as well. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, which cleanses the body and promotes the production of new, healthy skin cells. It can also, when done in the right location, encourage circulation in the body. For some, exfoliating is done to get blood moving, promote healing of an area of the body, and encourage a look of newness and freshness of the skin as a whole.
Washing Your Hands
Though this should seem like an absolute no-brainer, you might be shocked to find out the number of people who skip this step all day long. Before cooking or preparing food, after sneezing or coughing into the hand, after using the restroom, and after touching questionable objects are all great times to wash your hands with a disinfectant soap. Unfortunately, many people skip the hand scrubbing and continue on with their day. This spreads germs to others, and can even reinfect yourself. Make this a habit that is repeated all day long, and you’ll undoubtedly find yourself healthier than ever.
It’s easy to think that our hygiene is perfect, but most people let a few areas slide a bit. While it’s probably OK if you skipped brushing your hair before bedtime, these habits are some that should not be skipped often, if at all. Make sure that they are a part of your regular routine, and you may find your health improve significantly as a result.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.