The word hygiene will remind you of daily routines like brushing your teeth, washing your hands or taking a shower. These routines help to keep your body clean and healthy and all of you are well aware of these dental or physical hygiene practices. However, there is something called mental hygiene. It involves practices like self-awareness, self-care and stress management techniques to maintain mental well-being.

The concept of mental hygiene was first developed in the early 20th century with the aim of preventing mental health problems and treating less severe psychological conditions. Similar to other hygienic practices, mental hygiene is also a sort of preventive maintenance. Mental hygiene is the promotion and maintenance of your state of mind that allows for successful and consistent adjustments to your ever-changing life situations. It includes encouraging good mental health, locating and avoiding potential risk factors as well as restoring damaged brain functions. The most important principle of mental hygiene is to create a comfortable living atmosphere that includes not only the physical environment that provides sanitation but also the psychological environment that supports positive communication.

Practicing proper mental hygiene is just as important as practicing good physical hygiene. It is defined as a science dealing with the preservation and promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illness apart from treating mental conditions or abnormalities. Maintaining mental hygiene helps your mind regulate cortisol, the primary stress hormone, similar to keeping your body free of harmful bacteria. You will also benefit from deeper attention, increased concentration, better creativity, stronger relationships and a more positive outlook towards life by dedicating at least fifteen minutes each day to your mental hygiene.

The best part is that you can begin to maintain good mental hygiene wherever you are!