Essay on Health and Hygiene: The best practices for maintaining the good frame of our body includes health and hygiene. They are like two sides of the same coin. If we keep our surroundings clean and hygienic, we can maintain good health and well being. Living in unhygienic surroundings causes infections and brings down the overall health of a person causing diseases. The key elements of living a good life include basic cleanliness practices and inculcating personal and environmental hygiene habits.
Essay on Health and Hygiene 500 Words in English
Below we have provided Health and Hygiene Essay in English, suitable for class 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
It is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. – Mahatma Gandhi
Health is the mental as well as physical well being of an individual. It is a state in which the person is free from any injury or illness. It also means being socially and spiritually sound and well. Hygiene is a practice carried out to preserve health and prevent diseases. It is dominantly done through the habit of cleanliness.
Characteristics of a Healthy and Hygienic Person
A physically healthy person will always be fit. He or she will neither be too thin nor too fat. One has to keep a balanced and appropriate weight because being obese can lead to several fatal diseases like cancer and diabetes. Obese people are also more prone to the risk of heart attacks. A hygienic person will always wash his or her hands regularly. Washing hands is necessary before and after meals, after coming back home from outside, after playing in the park, etc. This is because various germs get onto our hands and our nails.
Hence it becomes crucial to get rid of them, or they may cause illnesses like stomach aches, diarrhoea, etc. A mentally healthy person is always contented and self-satisfied. He or she is calm, composed and understanding. A mentally well individual has determination and self-respect. He or she continually adjusts with other people and doesn’t believe in complaining. Another trait of a healthy person is stable and regular breathing. The average breath rate is 14 to 20 breaths per minute.
If the breathing of a person is irregular, heavy or unsteady, then that person may be unhealthy and may be suffering from some illness. A hygienic person will always have the basic courtesy to cover their mouth and nose or turn away from other people while coughing or sneezing. Wearing a mask while one is ill can also be a good practice. If this is not done, then the germ droplets can fall on other people’s face, hands or body and thus cause them to fall ill as well.
Factors Leading to ill Health
Certain diseases are known to be hereditary and can cause a negative effect on a person’s health. Genetic diseases include diabetes, schizophrenia, baldness, etc. There are always ways which a person can adopt not to fall victim to these hereditary illnesses. For example, a person who has a family history of diabetes can make changes in one’s lifestyle and cut down his or her fat and sugar intake.
Social factors can also contribute majorly to a person’s health. It can lead to betterment as well as the development of ill health. Worries, anxieties, broken marriages, stress, etc. all lead to ill health. If a person is not satisfied with his or her employment or if the neighbourhood that he or she lives in is not safe, then this can lead to deterioration of the person’s mental as well as physical health.
A person indulged in alcohol, smoking, drugs, weed and other narcotics becomes mentally unstable and physically ill. The reasons for them giving into the usage of these hazardous products can be numerous. It may be peer pressure, broken homes, loss of a near and dear one, getting fired from a job, etc. The intake of these products can lead to permanent damages which can often be fatal to a human body.
Practices to Follow for Good Health and Hygiene
Always follow good and regular oral hygiene. It is the duty of parents to instil healthy oral hygiene practices in their children. Brushing one’s teeth at least twice a day is necessary. Along with brushing, the habit of flossing and rinsing with mouthwash should also be inculcated. Rinsing should be done after the consumption of every meal so that there is no bacteria growth and tooth decay. Good oral hygiene can prevent a person from having bad breath, cavities, etc.
Taking a bath or a shower daily is vital to maintain a clean and hygienic body. Our skin is the largest part of our body, and it is essential to keep it free of germs and other bacteria. A bath helps one have clear skin and body and also gets rid of the old and dead skin cells, thus paving the way for the new ones to take their place. Consumption of a nutritious and balanced diet is critical to have good health. Intake of all nutrients in fair amounts is essential to provide the body with the required energy and keep it strong.
A major component in our body is water. Consumption of pure water is necessary to live healthily. Intake of water unfit for drinking can lead to diseases such as cholera, typhoid, etc. Each person should treat their body like a temple. You can keep yourself and your loved ones happy by maintaining good health and hygiene. Always adopt necessary practices and habits that lead you to be fit physically as well as mentally.