Good health is important if we are going to enjoy our lives at all. Taking simple protective steps can help you avoid much sickness and misery, as well as loss of time and money. Here are four things that can help protect your health:
Keep Yourself Clean
Hand washing is the single most important thing that you can do to help prevent the spread of infection and to stay healthy and well. As many as 80% of infections are said to be passed on by unclean hands. So wash them often throughout the day. Do so especially before eating, preparing food, dressing or even touching a wound, and do so after touching an animal, using the toilet, or changing a baby’s diaper. Bathing every day and keeping your clothes and bed linens fresh and clean also contribute to better health.
Keep your Home Clean
Make whatever extra effort is needed to keep your home tidy and clean, inside and out. Eliminate any places where water can collect and mosquitoes can breed. Litter, filth, and uncovered food and garbage can attract insects and rats, all of which can cause and spread diseases. If there is no toilet, build a simple latrine rather than practice open defecation. Cover the latrine to keep out flies, which transmit eye infections and other diseases.
Avoid Infectious Diseases.
Avoid close physical contact or the sharing of eating utensils with any who are sick. Their saliva and nasal secretions can pass the illness on to you. Such blood-borne diseases as hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS are transmitted primarily through sexual contact, intravenous drug use, and transfusion. Vaccination can help to prevent some infections, but a wise person must still take necessary precautions when with someone who has an infectious disease. Avoid insect bites. Do not sit or sleep outdoors unprotected when mosquitoes or other disease-carrying insects are active. Use bed nets, especially for children, and use insect repellents.
Avoid Injuring Yourself
Obey safety laws when working, riding a bicycle or motorcycle, or driving a car. Make sure your vehicle is safe to drive. Use appropriate protective equipment and clothing, such as safety glasses, headgear, and footwear, as well as seat belts and hearing protection. If you’re not a gearhead, we have tips here on taking care of your vehicles to ensure safety. Avoid excessive sun exposure, which causes cancer and premature ageing of the skin. If you smoke, stop. Quitting now will significantly lower your risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke.
In summary, personal hygiene, a clean home and environment, and avoiding infectious diseases and injury can help protect your health.
