Taking Care of Yourself

Personal hygiene habits such as washing your hands and brushing and flossing your teeth will help keep bacteria, viruses, and illnesses at bay. And there are mental as well as physical benefits.Practicing good body hygiene helps you feel good about yourself, which is important for your mental health.

• Bathe regularly. Wash your body and your hair often. “I’m not saying that you need to shower or bathe every day.But you should clean your body and shampoo your hair at regular intervals that work for you. Your body is constantly shedding skin.That skin needs to come off. Otherwise, it will cake up and can cause illnesses.

• Trim your nails. Keeping your finger and toenails trimmed and in good shape will prevent problems such as hang nails and infected nail beds. Feet that are clean and dry are less likely to contract athlete’s foot.

• Brush and floss. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal. At the very least, brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Brushing minimizes the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing, too, helps maintain strong, healthy gums.Unhealthy gums also can cause your teeth to loosen, which makes it difficult to chew and to eat properly.To maintain a healthy smile, visit the dentist at six-month intervals for checkups and cleanings.

• Wash your hands. Washing your hands before preparing or eating food, after going to the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and after handling garbage, goes a long way toward preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses. Keep a hygiene product, like an alcohol-based sanitizing gel, handy for when soap and water isn't available.

• Sleep tight. Get plenty of rest — 8 to 10 hours a night — so that you are refreshed and are ready to take on the day every morning. Lack of sleep can leave you feeling run down and can compromise your body's natural defenses, your immune system.