Reasons for Personal Grooming
Personal grooming may seem like a matter of individual preference, but how you present yourself can have a significant impact on your life. Whether you are interested in attracting a member of the opposite sex or making a good impression in the workforce, good personal grooming is essential. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
What Is Personal Grooming?
-
Personal grooming---also referred to as personal hygiene---is the act of taking care of your body through proper cleanliness and self-care. Personal grooming not only affects the way others see you, but also has an impact on how you feel about yourself. When you look and feel your best you are able to present yourself confidently with others.
Reasons for Personal Grooming
-
Proper hygiene and body care are important for the following reasons:
1. Poor dental hygiene results in an increased incidence of systemic health problems. Dr. Nelson Wood says that "a clean mouth contains several hundred billion bacteria, and this number increases tenfold when the mouth is not sufficiently cleaned. Using saliva and gingival fluid as their main nutrients, bacteria inhabit tooth surfaces...threatening oral and systemic health. Oral health care, primarily mouth cleaning, is an important component of a healthy lifestyle." He goes to draw connections between poor oral health and significant health problems including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, obesity and respiratory disease.
2. Not showering immediately after exercise increases your risk of MRSA (methicillian-resistant staphylococcus aureus), which can lead to potentially life-threatening staph infections, according to an article by Mark Constatine at The Saginaw News in Michigan.
3. Your physical appearance is the first impression that people have of who you are. Choosing to ignore common personal grooming habits may indicate to those around you that are not detail oriented; that you do not take pride in your work because you don't take pride in your appearance; or that you are not someone who desires to be taken seriously. Just as curb appeal is important in marketing a home for sale, your image is what helps "sell" you to potential employers, members of the opposite sex, peers and any other groups of people you come in contact with. Your resume may tell the story of a highly educated and accomplished individual, but if your appearance and cleanliness don't follow suit then you put yourself at a disadvantage, possibly missing out on opportunities for advancement at work and fulfillment in personal relationships.
4. Poor grooming can indicate to others that you lack self-esteem. In turn, presenting yourself at less-than-your-best contributes to further declines in how you feel about yourself, creating a vicious cycle of poor self-image and discomfort in social settings.
-
Personal Grooming Essentials
-
To put your best foot forward, follow these basics of personal hygiene to increase your self-esteem and give you more success in your interactions with others.
Shower or bathe frequently, either daily or every other day. Use body soap to cleanse the all-over surface of your skin, paying special attention to areas that tend to get sweaty and hold odor, and shampoo/condition your hair. Use anti-perspirant/deodorant each day after showering to cut down on body odor.
For men, shave or trim your facial hair neatly every day or every couple of days depending on how fast your hair grows.Trim nose and ear hair monthly. For women, shave your armpits and leg hair two to three times a week.
Keep your hair trimmed for a healthy appearance and avoid hairstyles or hair colors that are shocking or unprofessional (such as a mohawk, bright unnatural colors or stripes).
Wear clothing that is clean, in good repair and wrinkle-free. Avoid clothing that shows excessive cleavage or that is too tight. Cover your tattoos, if possible. Avoid wearing clothing with offensive images or wording.
Limit your use of perfume or cologne so as not to overpower those around you. Do not attempt to use fragrances to cover body odor caused by lack of hygiene.
Keep your hands and fingernails clean and trimmed.
Remember that excessive body jewelry, piercings and ear plugs can have a negative effect in how you are perceived by others.
Brush and floss your teeth three times a day and use mouthwash for extra freshening. Have your teeth cleaned professionally once every six months.
-
