Photo: Marmotto / Flickr

We’re all keenly aware of the value of good hygiene practice. There’s a direct relationship between how hygienic you are and your health, as well as your appearance, and even the quality of the food you eat. And while most people are moderately competent at keeping clean, there is still a chance that there are areas you can improve on. This simple hygiene 101 guide will give tips on what you already know, as well as snippets of advice for improving your personal hygiene further.

Wash your hands – frequently

Being mindful of washing your hands whenever the opportunity presents itself is a good idea. Naturally wash your hands before you handle food, and always wash your hands after you’ve used a restroom. Wash your hands directly after contact with something you know is likely not the cleanest of things – pets especially – and even wash your hands when you stop for a glass of water.

The point is washing your hands frequently is as good a hygiene practice as there is.

One way I’ve made washing my hands a fun exercise is by purchasing exotic soaps so as to make every wash an adventure.

Wash daily

This might seem ridiculous to even need to suggest, but having a wash every day is hygiene 101 at the core. Taking a shower twice a day is even better, though most people consider this overkill. Washing in the morning before your day starts is a good way to ensure you feel fresh and look your best for the world, while washing at night lets you wash off the day’s activities, while relaxing your body, making for a good night’s rest.

Share very little

While sharing is caring, there are some things you should absolutely never share. Toothbrushes, face cloths, and towels are obvious examples. Some people take this a step further by never sharing certain items of cutlery, drinking cups, foods, and in the most extreme cases, even a handshake. Remember, people transfer germs between each other, and good hygiene 101 practices require you limit this, but don’t go overboard since personal contact is an important part of being human.

Remember, hygiene 101 requires you wash your hands, yourself and other objects frequently, while limiting the amount of contact you have with anything that could be carrying germs. Even people.

Tags: hygiene