Protect Yourself with The Right Handwashing Technique
It's become very clear the past few months just how many germs surround us all the time. There is major virus pandemic raging right now, and that's not even the only germ, virus, bacteria, dirt, or grime we don't want on our body. Did you know that properly washing your hands is one of the best ways to combat getting sick?
The Power of Proper Handwashing Technique
"I know how to wash my hands!" you may be saying. Quickly rubbing and moving your hands under running water is not sufficient to achieve the adequate cleanliness you need. It’s best to take a few extra seconds to properly wash with soap and water. Washing your hands correctly could make the difference between staying healthy and becoming ill with the Coronavirus.
The type of soap isn’t as important as the handwashing technique, meaning the regular stuff works just as well as antibacterial soap as long as you follow the right procedure. First, you need to create friction. Experts recommend scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds. This approach is effective because soap is made up of pin-shaped molecules that have a hydrophilic head (water attracting), and hydrophobic tail (water repelling). These molecules act as a bridge connecting the hydrophilic head to a water molecule and the hydrophobic tail to lipids and germs that may lounge on your hands.
When you wash your hands with soap and water, you are surrounding the germs with the soap molecules that effectively neutralizes them. This is great news! Viruses aren’t technically "alive," so they cannot be killed. However, soap molecules compete with the lipids on and within the virus membrane to help pry it apart, rendering it harmless. When you rinse off the soap with water, it washes the vast majority of these germs down the drain where they won't harm you or anyone else again.
Lastly, dry your hands using a clean towel or paper towel. You can also allow them to air dry. Don’t dry them on your clothes, because you may be putting germs right back onto your hands.
Additional Steps to Staying Healthy
Your health cannot be achieved by handwashing alone. It's also important to get the right nutrients in your body so you can fight off any germs or viruses that do make it inside. This is where daily vitamins and other essential antioxidants can help. Of course, you don't want to leave the house and go to the store to get them because this would needlessly expose you to the virus. Order your essential vitamins online!
In order to keep yourself and those around you healthy, you'll also want to wear a mask whenever you leave the house. Try to stay at least six feet apart from those who aren't in your household.
We can all get through this together! Wash your hands, take your vitamins, wear a mask, stay six feet apart, and stay healthy!