Ward off colds and the flu with proper hand washing

Okay, we all know how important hand washing is but how many of us actually do it right? Knowing the right way to wash our hands can really cut down on germs and illness especially colds and the flu. Read on for some simple tips on how to keep your hands clean and the rest of your body healthy.

We all know that it is important to wash our hands frequently but if we aren’t doing it right then we are simply wasting our time.

How can you do it wrong you ask? What’s so complicated about washing your hands – you run your hands under the tap, add a little soap, rub your hands together and rinse – right?

It’s easier said then done. With the wrong technique you would almost be better not to have washed at all.

Start by wetting your hands with warm water, add a generous amount of soap and then lather up. Scrub both sides of your hands including between your fingers and under you nails.

Proper hand washing takes a minimum of 15 seconds or the time that it takes to hum ‘Happy Birthday’.

Rinsing your hands well after washing is also important.

Wet or damp hands are also a breeding ground for germs.

If you spend a lot of time in public washrooms, be warned that studies have shown that faucets are usually the germiest areas in the entire bathroom. The toilet seat is usually the cleanest.

So my suggestion here would be to cover your hand with a paper towel and then turn on the tap. Be sure to pat (rubbing encourages chapping) your hands with a clean paper towel or dry using a hand dryer.

Use the paper you dried your hands on to pick up the paper towel you turned the tap on with and to cover the door handle when you leave. Fortunately most bathrooms have a garbage can close to the door.