10 Essential Tips for Taking Care of Your Hands

You open the restaurant door and you greet your friend with a handshake. You sit down, pick up the menu, and point out your selection to the waitress. You then proceed to tell an elaborate anecdote, using your hands to express the important details until your order arrives.

You respond by eagerly picking up your knife and fork, getting ready to dig in. Now imagine the above sequence without the use of your hands. By looking at it from this perspective, you may realize that within a very small time frame, your hands were the true main character of your life’s story.

Every day, you use these anatomical assets tirelessly, often without sparing a thought as to how necessary they are to your survival. The very least you could do is take good care of their health while pampering them every so often.

Read the following list for the top 10 essential tips on how to treat your hands with love.

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Washing hands; image source: pexels.com

1. Washing Properly

Washing your hands may seem like a simple affair, but there are a few details which need extra consideration. Keep in mind that water which is too hot or too cold can remove your natural oils, while many antibacterial soaps will dry your hands out.

Instead aim for a lukewarm temperature with a gentle soap, washing before every meal and whenever you use the bathroom.

2. The Best Desk Practices

An improper posture coupled with an incorrectly set up work environment can lead to repetitive stress injuries, and this will quickly put your hands out of order. Always ensure that your eyes are in line with the top of your monitor, your feet are flat on the floor, and your elbows relax at a 45-degree angle.

3. Moisturize Regularly

When it comes to something as precious as your hands, only the best will do. That’s why you should splurge on a high-quality moisturizer and use it daily to maintain adequate hydration.

applying-hand-cream
Applying hand cream; image source: pexels.com

4. Know Your Injuries

No matter how careful you are, accidents are an unavoidable part of life. Your best defense is to learn how to recognize common traumas (such as dislocated fingers or thumb sprains) and then tend to them as best you can.

Nothing will hinder your day faster than an unusable hand, so stabilize the sprained body part immediately and seek medical attention if you are struggling to move or bend anything.

5. Get a Massage

The theory of reflexology is that one can heal the whole body simply by applying pressure on certain points, such as the hands, feet, and head. There is no hard evidence to support such a bold claim, but the act will at very least assist circulation, relieve stress, and feel incredibly pleasurable.

6. Wear Protection

When the hands come into contact with any chemicals or dirt (for example, when cleaning the house or nurturing your garden), your skin is susceptible to an array of negative consequences. As a safety precaution, always wear protective gloves during these tasks.

7. Proper Nail Care

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Nails; image source: pexels.com

Your fingernails require additional attention due to their annoying tendency of trapping dirt beneath them. Use a scrubbing brush to clear out the impurities followed by nail clippers to trim the ends into smooth straight lines.

Furthermore, any nail-biting habits need to stop, as this can cause a finger infection while introducing unwanted germs into your mouth.

8. Take Stretch Breaks

If your profession demands ceaseless hand work, then it is imperative that you incorporate stretch breaks into your routine. This will help your blood to flow easier while preventing any repetitive stress injuries.

Start by bending your fingers back one by one, then place your hands in a prayer position, pushing them together. It may also be in your best interest to keep a stress ball on your person at all times.

9. Wear Sunscreen

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Sunscreen; image source: pixabay.com

The fact that so many people overlook their hands when applying sunblock is an extremely dangerous mistake. No matter what the weather, your hands are often the most exposed part of your body, which places them at a high risk of sun-related conditions.

Please remember that skin cancer is the most common form of the disease while around 9,320 Americans die yearly from melanoma. Always be safe rather than sorry.

10. Eat the Right Foods

One of the easiest methods of improving your overall health is via the food you consume, and this goes for your hands too. Some key nutrients to focus upon would be vitamin E for your nails (such as vegetable oils or seeds), omega 3 for anti-inflammatory properties (such as fish or nuts), and calcium for strong bones (such as dairy or tofu). Alternatively, just take a daily supplement to cover all bases.

 

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