Summer has a way of bringing warmth and sunshine into our lives. Still, it can also make things a bit more complicated for teenagers who are experiencing a lot of hormonal changes while on the rollercoaster of puberty. As temperatures rise, you might feel more concerned about your skin breaking out, staying fresh while the sweat glands are going into overdrive, and experiencing a wide array of new sensations and emotions for the first time that can affect your self-esteem and mental well-being.
It’s important that you know this transition you’re facing into early adolescence is marked by increases in morbidity and mortality, often associated with mental health disorders, substance use, and the consequences of risk-taking and poor decision-making (Blum and Nelson-Mmari 2004; Williams, Holmbeck, and Greenley 2002). All these can significantly impact your hygiene, worsening your well-being and creating a vicious cycle.
Hygiene is deeply connected to how you see yourself and interact with others. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), personal hygiene practices—regularly cleaning your body and hair with soap and water (including washing your hands and feet), grooming nails, facial cleanliness, and menstrual hygiene—can help you feel fresh and healthy.
When you feel confident about your cleanliness, it often reflects on your mental health, too. A positive self-image boosts confidence and can lead to more successful social interactions and academic achievements. On the other side, teens who struggle with their appearance due to hygiene issues might experience increased feelings of stress and anxiety.
Self-care can have mental health benefits. Engaging in routines that make you feel clean is a form of self-respect and an acknowledgment of your own worth—a fundamental component of mental well-being. Self-care practices, including personal hygiene routines, are associated with lower levels of stress and depression among adolescents.
Maintaining cleanliness is one of those practices that has a surprisingly profound effect on our mental and emotional well-being. Taking the time to care for your body can send a powerful message to your brain about your self-worth.
The article “Social support, resilience, and self-esteem protect against common mental health problems in early adolescence” provides a comprehensive look at how self-esteem, resilience, and social support interact in the context of common mental health problems among adolescents. This study points to a significant mutual relationship between self-esteem and common mental health issues like depression and anxiety in adolescents. Research has shown that high self-esteem is associated with a reduced risk of common mental health problems.
Peer interactions are more frequent and emotionally significant during adolescence. Good personal hygiene can ease social anxiety, removing one layer of worry about how others perceive you. Making a big difference in how comfortably you engage with friends and acquaintances.
Cleanliness has a notable effect on mood. Engaging in regular hygiene routines can lead to reductions in stress and improvements in mood. Healthline notes that physical cleanliness activities can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators. Establishing a hygiene routine can give you a sense of control, especially when other things may feel out of control. The proper hygiene routine and skincare designed for your face’s unique challenges can empower you to feel more secure while going through puberty and prepare you to face summer’s heat challenges.