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healthline.com
article
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mental-illness-can-impact-hyg…
“Those suffering from chronic anxiety may find that they are overly concerned with personal hygiene and may check a mirror frequently to ensure that their appearance is ‘perfect,’” Manly says. “Some anxiety sufferers become highly anxious about attire and appearance and may change clothing several times before leaving home.” [...] “To reduce the level of washing in conjunction with therapy, the individual can also strive to reduce anxiety by learning to use calming breathing techniques, short meditations, and positive mantras,” Manly says. “Tools such as these can be used to calm the mind and body as they encourage self-soothing and self-control.”
No matter which self-care tools help you, it’s important to remind yourself that moralizing hygiene helps nobody. [...] Therapy is a great place to start. You might feel ashamed, as I did, to tell your therapist that you struggle to practice good hygiene. Please remember that this is a fairly common symptom of mental illness, and your therapist has probably helped people in your shoes before — and they’re there to help you, not judge you for your mental state.
As for washing excessively, Manly says that the root of the anxiety must be addressed in order to address the issue. This also often requires therapy.
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nec.org
article
https://www.nec.org/good-hygiene-and-mental-health
A good personal hygiene routine can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Simple acts like a warm shower can put you into a calmer frame of mind. If you're up to it, you can even incorporate some simple breathing exercises into your shower routine for an extra boost of relaxation and calm!
1. Good hygiene improves sleep quality. [...] Feeling fresh and clean can lead to feeling more confident. When you feel confident, you are more likely to participate in social situations, decreasing isolation. Humans aren't meant to be alone; interacting with others can help improve your mental health as well!
1. Good hygiene reduces stress and anxiety. [...] Did you know hygiene doesn't just mean showering and brushing your hair? You can have good hygiene with your sleep and nighttime routine, too! Good sleep hygiene, including changing into clean clothes before bed and brushing your teeth, can improve mental health by decreasing stress, irritability, and depression.
When good hygiene doesn't help
F
facebook.com
news
https://www.facebook.com/wavenews/posts/did-you-know-that-your-hygiene-can-af…
Neglecting hygiene can lead to feelings of shame, anxiety, and potentially exacerbate existing mental health conditions.
R
reddit.com
article
https://www.reddit.com/r/Anxiety/comments/16nbjt4/hygiene
As someone who struggles with hygiene and tends to avoid it because of my severe anxiety, these tips help a lot!Read more
Z
zaidimd.com
article
https://www.zaidimd.com/depression-and-hygiene
Depression and hygiene may be linked, but with patience, compassion, and small steps, it’s possible to work through this challenge and establish routines that promote both mental and physical health. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, and every small effort counts toward feeling better.
## Related Posts
Understanding Anxiety
### Understanding Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms, and Types
health / By Syed Zaidi
Physical Health and Anxiety
### The Link Between Physical Health and Anxiety [...] Rather than thinking of hygiene as one big task, break it down into smaller steps. For example, instead of focusing on a full shower, start with just washing your face or rinsing your body. By taking small steps, you can make hygiene feel less overwhelming.
#### 2. Set Realistic Goals
Set achievable goals, such as brushing your teeth once a day or taking a shower twice a week. Over time, as you feel more comfortable, you can gradually increase these goals.
#### 3. Use Hygiene Reminders [...] Depression is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, influencing every aspect of life. For many individuals, one of the areas where depression has a profound impact is personal hygiene. Activities like showering, brushing teeth, or even basic grooming can feel overwhelming when someone is dealing with depression. Understanding the link between depression and hygiene can help in developing supportive strategies to improve self-care.
M
med.stanford.edu
research
https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2022/05/mental-health-hygiene-can-impr…
For most people, the concept of hygiene conjures up images of brushing your teeth, applying deodorant or taking a shower: simple, daily practices to keep your body clean and healthy.
But mental health providers say your mind can also benefit from a quick morning tune-up. Spending even 15 minutes on mental health hygiene each day can bring a host of benefits, from improved mood and better relationships to even deeper concentration and enhanced creativity. [...] Tong recommends starting with one activity you do every day. Brushing your teeth is one of the most popular choices of participants in her courses. "To begin," she said, "you simply make sure that from now on, whenever you are brushing your teeth, you stay with the activity of brushing."
This means not planning out your day or mulling over what your partner said at breakfast, but instead focusing on the myriad sensory experiences associated with toothbrushing. [...] For some people, mental health hygiene means dedicating a few minutes of their morning routine to meditation, stretching or walking — but Tong says just about any activity can qualify, as long as you are paying attention to what you are doing while you perform the task. In fact, even brushing your teeth can become part of mental health hygiene when practiced with deliberation.
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nami.org
article
https://www.nami.org/blog/hygiene-indifference-the-symptom-we-dont-talk-about
Feb 10, 2023 — indifference to hygiene tasks, including showering, brushing teeth, doing laundry or brushing hair, is a common symptom of mental health
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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
official
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10721104
by EY Ghassemi · 2023 · Cited by 12 — However, literature from high-income settings indicates that some personal hygiene behaviours, including handwashing, may be affected by mental health. For ...Read more