Recently, Northeastern Center's Zero Suicide Committee gathered donations from employees to create hygiene kits for clients in need. Keeley Vaught, New Hope Clubhouse manager, and Tammy Campbell, Risk Management nurse, put together some information on how hygiene impacts your mental health.
Ever wonder why you feel better after a shower? That's because hygiene plays a huge role in your mental health! Here are four ways good hygiene impacts your well-being.
- Good hygiene boosts self-esteem and confidence.
Have you ever heard the expression "look good, feel good"? Well, it does have some truth to it! Feeling clean and fresh can lead to feeling more confident in social settings.
- Good hygiene prevents feelings of isolation.
Feeling fresh and clean can lead to feeling more confident. When you feel confident, you are more likely to participate in social situations, decreasing isolation. Humans aren't meant to be alone; interacting with others can help improve your mental health as well!
- Good hygiene reduces stress and anxiety.
A good personal hygiene routine can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Simple acts like a warm shower can put you into a calmer frame of mind. If you're up to it, you can even incorporate some simple breathing exercises into your shower routine for an extra boost of relaxation and calm!
- Good hygiene improves sleep quality.
Did you know hygiene doesn't just mean showering and brushing your hair? You can have good hygiene with your sleep and nighttime routine, too! Good sleep hygiene, including changing into clean clothes before bed and brushing your teeth, can improve mental health by decreasing stress, irritability, and depression.
When good hygiene doesn't help
Sometimes, it takes more than a shower and some good sleep to feel better. If you want to explore options for mental health treatment with Northeastern Center, visit the How to Become a New Client section of our website to get started.
