PERSONAL HYGIENE AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE IN THE WORKPLACE
Personal Hygiene
Good health is like a fine instrument. This means your mind and body are in tune with each other. People define health many ways, but basically, health is the condition of your body and mind. It includes:
1. Physical health - the condition of your body
2. Mental and emotional health - as reflected in your thinking, attitudes, and feelings.
3. Social health - as reflected in your relationships with others.
All three of the aspects of health are interconnected, like the parts of an instrument. All are affected by your day-to-day actions and decisions. Wellness is a way of living based on healthy attitudes and actions. When a person is not feeling well, that person may not think about how to have a positive attitude. If you take care of your body and keep a positive attitude, you are more likely to enjoy good health.
Physical Health
Everyday activities, such as sleeping, eating, grooming and exercising – all contribute to your physical health. When a person enjoys physical health, that person has enough energy for all the things that is needed to do daily tasks. The person also looks and feels his or her best.
It makes good physical and mental sense to seek regular medical check-ups. This gives you the chance to talk to a doctor about any health problems or questions you have. It is better to deal with smaller problems than to wait until they turn into major ones.
Sleep and Rest
Sleep is very important to our good health. While you sleep, your body repairs itself, removes waste products from cells, and builds a supply of energy for action during the next day. You might think you can get more done if you just stay up late and get less sleep, however, when you do not get enough sleep, everything feels like an effort. It is hard to concentrate, and you are more likely to make mistakes. You should try to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. You will feel much better the next day and will more than likely accomplish what you want to do.
Exercise and Nutrition
Exercise and good nutrition is a powerful combination. It has been shown that people who are more physically active and maintain a healthy weight have trimmer bodies, fewer health problems, more energy, a better mental outlook, and better co-ordination. In many ways, your body is like a machine. Machines need oil and gas to function properly, just as your body needs the proper food to function smoothly and efficiently. Eating a variety of foods keeps you well-nourished and gives you the energy to get through your day. Practicing healthy habits when you are young will reduce the chances for problems as you get older. Eating well will improve both your physical and mental health.
Good Grooming
Grooming is the personal care routine you follow to keep yourself clean and attractive. Everyone can be attractive by making the most of what he or she has. Cleanliness is important for your health and appearance.
1. Your Skin – Your skin is the covering that protects your body. It will warn you if you are hot, cold, or in pain. It also produces oils to regulate your body’s temperature and to keep skin soft. You should take a shower or bath each day to regulate the oil production in your body and to stay fresh. Soap and water will wash dirt away and will remove dried skin, extra oil and surface bacteria that can cause odours and infections. Perspiration is the body’s way of regulating temperature. When you perspire, skin bacteria react with the perspiration to produce an odour. Using a deodorant or antiperspirant every day will help control this odour and keep your skin drier.
2. Your Hair – The condition of our hair reflects our general health. Nice-looking hair begins on the inside with good dietary habits, reduced stress and general health. Knowing how often to shampoo your hair can be a struggle for young people. Many young people have so much natural oil that they need to wash it every day. Others need to shampoo less often. A rule of thumb is to wash your hair enough to keep it looking clean and healthy. If you suffer from dandruff (scales and flakes on the scalp), keep your hair clean, avoid scratching your scalp with sharp combs or fingernails. If dandruff is severe, see your doctor.
3. Your Teeth – Brushing your teeth after eating and before going to bed helps to remove decay-causing plaque (a sticky film that clings to your teeth). Plaque is formed by the food, bacteria, and air in your mouth. If plaque is allowed to stay in your mouth, it combines with the sugar in foods and causes acid to be produced. If the acid is not removed, a cavity can result. You should remember to brush your teeth between eating, floss regularly, and see a dentist regularly.
Emotional and Social Health
In your day-to-day activities, you will want to strike a balance between your emotional, mental and physical health. If one of these areas is out of balance, it will have an effect on the other two areas as well. When you balance the physical, emotional, and social parts of your life, you feel positive about yourself. You are able to get along with others and manage problems and stress in a mature, responsible way. You will perform better on the job.
Health Practices
1. Think about your health practices and habits. In what areas do you think you could make improvements? Identify three specific areas you would like to change and improve. State why you would like to improve these areas.
2. How can poor grooming habits affect other areas of your life?
3. Why do society and the workplace place such a high value on being well-groomed?
4. Make a list of three people you know who demonstrate balance in their physical, emotional and social life. Explain why you selected these people.
Staying Fit
Exercise helps you become physically fit. You will have more energy, and be more alert mentally. You will feel good about yourself and gain more self-confidence. You will reduce your stress levels and learn how to react to change. You will improve your muscle tone and your overall appearance and health level. The end result is you will be healthier and do better on the job and in your everyday activities.
Managing weight can be a challenge for some. You can’t change your natural development, but you can determine the direction it takes. Your weight is affected by:
1. Your metabolic rate (your resting energy needs).
2. Your genetic make-up (what you inherited from your parents).
3. Your body composition (amount of muscle and fat on your body).
4. Your level of physical activity (active or inactive).
5. The food you eat (nutritious or not).
If you want to lose weight, do it gradually. It is much easier to stick with a diet over a longer period of time. People who lose weight quickly often gain it right back. If you want to gain weight, you will need to eat more calories than you burn through activity. Either way, it is best to consult with a doctor before going on a weight loss or gaining program.
Positive Attitude in the Workplace
Employees who have a positive attitude often achieve job satisfaction and stay with employers for longer periods of time. Businesses can help employees achieve job satisfaction by providing good compensation (wages or salary), maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, offering employee benefits, and providing opportunities to grow and advance in the company.
The law requires businesses to provide and maintain a healthy and safe work environment. Businesses that focus on health and safety also create positive employee attitudes. Some of the health and wellness programs offered by businesses include:
1. fitness programs
2. anti-smoking programs
3. addiction treatment programs
4. social activities
5. flexible hours
6. working from home
7. family counselling
8. professional development
9. paid vacations
10. sick or bereavement leaves
11. employee discounts
12. company car
13. medical, optical and dental benefits
14. life insurance
15. day care
16. expense accounts
17. free parking
Employability Traits
Employers often complain that many employees lack the necessary personal qualities to do a job well. Often, the claim is that employees have poor working relationships with their bosses, co-workers, and customers. Employability traits are those necessary for success in the workplace. The following list of traits is those listed by employers as being ideal for an employee.
Employability Traits
Common Sense / ConcentrationConsistency / Creativity
Dedication / Dependablility
Drive / Duty
Empathy / Enthusiasm
Fairness / Flexibility
Honesty / Honour
Humility / Initiative
Integrity / Optimism
Professionalism / Respect
Self-Control / Self-Discipline
Self-Esteem / Sense of Humour
Sociability / Willingness to Learn
Wisdom
Healthy Diet
You have been studying about the importance of eating a healthy diet, getting regular sleep and exercise and good grooming. If you had a friend who spent all of his or her spare time in front of the TV eating snack foods, how would you encourage your friend to develop healthier habits?
Employability Traits
1. Read over the list of employability traits listed in the lesson material. State the seven employability traits that you feel are most important at work. State why you selected each of the seven traits.
2. Think about a manager you have worked for (or talk to someone who has had a good manager). What qualities made that person an excellent manager? List five qualities.