Importance of Cleanliness for Healthy Lifestyle

In a country like Pakistan it seems there is no concept of cleanliness, wherever you see, you witness heaps of garbage lying on the streets.  People throw garbage everywhere other


Piles of Garbage blocking the sewage: Online

than the dustbins. These trashes are a hotbed for severe illnesses, if you want to know how?  So the answer is quite simple; Unhygienic conditions such as dirty linen, leftover food or overflowing garbage attract pests and flies that serve as hosts for transmitting preventable diseases like diarrhea, food poisoning and gastric related illnesses.

unhyienic food

Gastric Disease is prevalent due to Unhygienic Roadside eateries

Around 60-70 million people are affected annually with gastric diseases.  Half of country’s population is without proper sanitation and hygiene.  The economic impact of poor sanitation has resulted in an annual loss of 3.94% or more of Gross Domestic Products (GDP).  Much is said about cleanliness and hygiene but its application is missing in our society.

Several factors contribute to the quality of life; however, cleanliness and hygiene are one of the basic essentials. There is a need to inform and educate people about the importance of cleanliness in our society.  While we can’t control what goes on in our environment, we do have control over our immediate surroundings. Government along with civilians and corporate organizations together need to play their due role in improving sanitation conditions of the country.

The importance of cleanliness cannot be ignored in individual as well as in community level. On one hand it is an important factor for human health whereas on the other hand it is essential for environmental development as well. “Cleanliness is half part of faith”, therefore as an individual, one is liable to clean up its own act (not in literal sense) but rather contribute in cleaning up its surrounding.

The best place to start off is ‘house’ where people spend a lot of their time.  Hygiene environment plays a vital role in contributing to living a healthy life. It’s important to root out dirt and pests that can make you sick and eventually cost you money.  If cleanliness of your home environment is important to you, you will ensure that it is kept clean all the time. Basic hygienic tips for instance washing hands after coming from outside; cleaning sink and counter-tops regularly while sweeping and moping with cleaning agents avoid the spread of dirt to oneself and others. These are some of the basics which if follow daily reduce the risk of bacterial growth at home.


unhygienic food

Making Chaat in Unhygienic Condition

suffer from enteric diseases caused by contaminated food in developing countries of the world. Food contamination occurs due to different reasons like unsafe food packaging, food transportation under unhygienic conditions etc. One cannot control the contamination of food in external environment but can avoid food contamination in their home environment.  Decaying food leads to food contamination. It’s important to have a proactive approach towards food preservation.  Raw food like vegetables, fruits should be kept in the lower part of the fridge while cooked food needs to be covered it properly and keep in top section of the fridge.  One also ensures to utilize cooked food within two days before rotting.

Overflowing trash

Heaps of Garbage Outside Trash bins

The sight of overflowing trash cans looks horrible.  On the top of that, majority of the people throw garbage in the bins irrespective of the fact that it’s soggy or dry. Most of the people have trash bins without lid, contributing to a stinky odor, and hence attract flies at homes. To avoid this stinky smell,   place a couple of dryer sheets or other absorbent material in the bottom of the trash to absorb spills or dampness.

Many people nowadays prefer health-centric appliances for their homes. Keeping in perspective the hassle of today’s fast paced life, corporate organizations have introduced innovative home appliances such as refrigerator, washing machine and air conditioners, equipped with insect repellent technology.  The advanced technology has an ability to ward off insects or pests, from inside of the appliances and its surrounding area.

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Hygiene for Healthy Living: Online photo

By adopting the hygienic lifestyle, one can be saved from a lot of preventable diseases. ‘Prevention is better than cure’ there is a dire need to make conscious efforts to educate people about the significance of cleanliness and hygiene. In this regard, the government should also play its vital role in legislating stringent laws against littering and implement it at the grassroots level.