Daily Hygiene and Habits

Your body is incredible — but it needs your help to stay healthy. The small habits you do every single day have a big effect on how your body feels and fights off illness. Hygiene means keeping your body clean and healthy to stop germs from spreading.

What are germs?

• Germs are tiny living things — bacteria and viruses — that can make you sick. They are so small you cannot see them without a microscope.
• Germs spread when you touch your face, share objects, sneeze, or cough without covering your mouth.
• Good hygiene habits stop germs from entering your body or spreading to others.

Washing your hands — the most important habit

• Hands touch hundreds of surfaces every day, picking up germs along the way.
• Always wash your hands: before eating, after using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, after touching animals, and after playing outside.
• The correct steps: 1) Wet hands with clean water, 2) Apply soap, 3) Scrub for at least 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday twice), 4) Rinse well, 5) Dry with a clean towel.
• Soap works by breaking apart the outer layer of viruses and washing bacteria away — water alone is not enough.

Brushing your teeth

• Brush twice a day — morning and before bed — for at least two minutes each time.
• Bacteria in your mouth feed on leftover food and produce acid. That acid erodes your tooth enamel and causes cavities.
• Brushing removes the bacteria and food before they can cause damage. Flossing cleans between teeth where your brush cannot reach.

Bathing and other daily habits

• Bathe or shower daily to remove sweat, dirt, and dead skin cells that can harbor bacteria.
• Wear clean clothes each day — yesterday’s clothes carry sweat and bacteria.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when you sneeze or cough to stop droplets spreading germs.
• Trim nails regularly — dirt and bacteria collect under long nails.