Personal hygiene for most women includes monotonous activities such as brushing, flossing, bathing, and deodorizing. And that is all. However, personal hygiene is more than just keeping bad breath and body odor away.

As a woman, special care should be placed on feminine hygiene care. Taking good care of yourself is an important part of growing up. Maintaining feminine personal hygiene not only helps you to battle infections and detrimental diseases, (In some cases, bacterial infections may lead to sterility, disease, cancer, and other health problems.) but it creates an aura of freshness around, when you get busy with your chores.

So, ladies, just spare a few moments to look through the following 10 steps to maintain your vaginal hygiene.

1. Wear loose, breathable, bottom clothing. Tight pants, shorts, or panties made from synthetic fabrics can reduce the air circulation around your vagina and cause it to sweat, which can increase your chances for odors and infection.

 

2. Wear loose panties that allow for air circulation or that are made from a natural, breathable fabric such as cotton.

3. Eat a balanced diet high in nutrition. A diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains such as brown rice will help prevent your body and vagina from experiencing infections or ailments.

4. Wash your vaginal area daily with mild soap and water. Mild soap will help prevent your vaginal region from becoming irritated or infected due to exposure from harsh chemicals found in antibacterial or astringent soaps.

5. Rinse your vaginal region with fresh water after washing with soap, then dry off immediately with a clean, towel to prevent moisture build-up.

6. Wipe your genital area thoroughly after urination. This will help keep your vaginal area dry and clean throughout the day.

7. Wipe yourself from front to back after experiencing a bowel movement to prevent fecal matter from coming into contact with your vagina, which can cause a bacterial infection.

8. Wash your vaginal area after sexual intercourse. Bodily fluids and residue from condoms and other intimate products can cause infection, irritation, and odors if not removed from your vaginal region following intercourse.

9. Change tampons, sanitary napkins, and pantyliners frequently. When these menstrual products become soiled and are worn for long periods of time, they can cause you to experience foul odors and increase the risk of infection.

10. Use menstrual products that do not contain scents or dyes, as these products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health.

 

 

Mouthwash plays a very important role in oral care and mind you,  a mouthwash or rinse does not replace a regular oral hygiene routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. It might look like an extra step but it is necessary and important to keep your teeth and gums healthy. There are a lot of mouthwashes in the market but they all contain alcohol and can give you an unpleasant burning sensation. Below is an easy and all natural homemade mouthwash recipe that you need to try:

BENEFITS:

Aloe vera- Aloe vera has great anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It keeps mouth fresh, clean and free of microbes.

Baking soda- Baking soda helps cleanse your teeth and crevices in the bums and cavities/spaces. It freshens breath and is a great ingredient for oral hygiene.

Tea tree oil- Tea tree oil has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It balances the natural microbiota of mouth and keeps odor and bacteria away.

RECIPE FOR ALOE VERA MOUTHWASH FOR HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS:

Things you need-

  • Aloe vera- 2 tsp
  • Baking soda – 1 tsp
  • Distilled water – 1/2 cup
  • 5 drops of tea tree oil

Method:

Mix all the ingredients in a container and then store it in a bottle and the mouthwash is ready for use. Take a bottle and mix the given ingredients well and it is ready to use. Shake well before you use, take 1-2 teaspoons and swirl around the mouth, split out and rinse the mouth with water to get rid of odor by killing off odor causing bacteria.

Water
Add Aloe vera- 2 tsp
Add Baking soda – 1 tsp

 

*Caution: Patch test before using.

Originally Appeared On: theindianspot

Ladies, I know it’s sometimes tempting to just lay on the sofa and wolf down an entire pizza, watch TV, daydream and sleep over and over instead of hitting the gym and doing something productive with your lives (I know because I have been there too) but we all know that isn’t a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, so darling you need to pick yourself up and break a sweat. Healthy living isn’t all about following a strict regimen however, it’s also about knowing your body and mind as well as practicing a routine that is easy to maintain and energizing. Below are 5 simple ways to energize your lifestyle as a woman.

NO BAD VIBES
Don’t I repeat don’t let your thoughts become your reality. When you start feeling overwhelmed, adopt a strategy I call ‘stop’ because once you start thinking about the negatives, it becomes your reality. Try playing your favorite piece of song or recall a happy experience. Reframe your mindset. For example when your spouse says “we need to talk” instead of fearing the worst, you should think of something more positive. Keep in mind, the aim is to lose the stress. Don’t live for others’ expectations. Alas, too many of us try to please parents, colleagues, a spouse and or even bosses. Stop it now! Aim to achieve what you want. I personally think no one can ever please anyone, for no matter what one does, someone would find a fault.

Last but not the least be mindful of who you spend time with. Don’t hang with people who are constantly complaining about everything instead hang about with people who give you positive vibes and good emotions.

EAT AND DRINK HEALTHY
Always eat before you starve to avoid overeating, try as much as possible to always eat clean (less junk food) and keep it balance but of course once in a while you can indulge yourself just to stay sane (LOL). For those who do the late night eating please put a stop to it. I have a beautiful and lustrous skin because I drink a lot of water, they say water is life and there is no doubt that is true so be sure to drink enough water every day. It keeps the body awake.

EXERCISE AND YOGA
I am not the type that goes to the gym regularly but am an active person and enjoys different kinds of physical activity, like dance, yoga and leisure walks. If you are not one for the gym just like me, you could take up walking, dancing and practice some yoga poses right in the comfort of your room. Yoga however is more than physical exercise; it has a meditative and spiritual core and I find it soothing to the soul and mind. If you are a ‘gymthusiasts’ keep a workout diary, you just have to record the date, what type of exercise you did, and for how long. Remember, have goals that are simple and realistic. If you haven’t been doing much exercise for the past year or more, just don’t pick a goal like running a marathon. First try to see how your body responds to working out three times a week.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL
Sometimes to feel good about yourself, you need to reinvent yourself. Makeover! Do something new to your hair, I recently had a haircut and I feel more confident, edgy and even sexier than I felt before. Change your wardrobe if you can afford it….. Go on a shopping spree and spend some money on yourself, you deserve it girl. Go for something chic, colorful; daring and sexy but not trashy. Figure hugging clothes will bring out all those curves you been hiding, trust me at that moment, you will appreciate hitting the gym or taking up some physical activities. Change your routine. Change your look.
You are allowed to change your mind. Mix it up ladies and step out in style and class. I strongly feel that positive self-encouragement also boost your confidence. Look in the mirror and practicing affirmations every morning, celebrate your body inside and out and tell yourself you are ‘THE BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL’

LIFESTYLE
Don’t dwell in the past; you need to keep moving forward. Time waits for no man. If you are a gossip, stop it now and channel your energy into something positive and fruitful. Be sure to be getting enough sleep. Have a positive attitude towards life no matter the number of times it beats you down. You can cry like a baby if you want but you need to get off that pretty butt like the strong woman you are and deal with it, remember this, life is how you make it and believe you me, no one is going to take care of you forever and or make you happy, it’s all you girl, it’s all you!

“It’s not about how long you live; it’s about how well you live”