Our day-to-day routines have changed dramatically over the past few months. Everyone has made sacrifices and adopted new habits to help keep ourselves and those that we come in contact with healthy.
With these changes, we need to think about hygiene in a few different ways.
Carry and use Hand Sanitizer – Washing hands with soap is your best option, but many times, that is not an option. These days, hand sanitizer has become your best friend. Alcohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is your best option when it comes to killing germs (try to avoid sanitizers with benzalkonium chloride).
Wash Your Mask – Cloth masks have become all the rage in our new normal. You can express yourself while following recommendations of the CDC by wearing a cloth mask in public. However, don’t forget to wash your masks. Best practice is washing your mask after daily use. The good news … you can wash it with your regular laundry with your favorite laundry detergent in warm or hot water. You can air dry or throw it in your dryer on the highest setting.
Wipe Down Your Everyday High Touch Surfaces – Keep antibacterial wipes in your car and around your house for those daily use items like door handles, your cell phone and even the gas pump.
Say Goodbye to Handshakes – As hard as it may be to do, it is time to shift to an elbow bump or “Air” high five when greeting others.
Be Aware of What You Touch – As you go through your day, you can’t help but to touch hundreds of things. That is why it is important to keep that hand sanitizer handy! The one surface to avoid touching … Your FACE! It’s a habit that can be difficult to stop but is a must for improved hygiene during these times. Be consciously aware of when and how often you touch your face and you’ll begin to do it less and less. And, if you must scratch that itch, wash your hands before you act.
With these tips, you can remain healthy while you go about your daily activities.
