- Stay hydrated to flush out toxins and reduce sweat-related body odor.
- Eat a balanced diet low in fat, high in carbohydrates, and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables for a fresher-smelling body odor.
- Take regular baths or showers, and use deodorant/antiperspirant to stay fresh all day.
- Practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and swishing with mouthwash.
- Care for your clothing by washing and replacing them regularly, and use natural alternatives such as essential oils.
We all want to smell amazing without needing to douse ourselves in perfume. But how do we make sure that happens? Well, with a few simple and easily achievable habits, you can always be sure that you smell great no matter where you go.
Let’s look at some of the habits that will ensure your freshness!
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is the most important habit for smelling great throughout the day. Not only does drinking enough water keep us feeling energetic and refreshed, but it also helps to flush out toxins from our bodies. Plus, this also ensures that we don’t emit unpleasant odors from our bodies due to dehydration or poor digestion.
Research studies have shown that dehydration can lead to body odor in several ways. When the body is dehydrated, sweat glands become active and secrete more sweat which can cause a foul odor. When sweat cannot evaporate due to lack of hydration, it can mix with bacteria on the skin and create a strong, unpleasant smell. So make sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day!
Eat Smart
The food we eat has a direct impact on how we smell. One research study looked at how diet affects sweat production and body odor. The findings revealed that high-fat foods could lead to more pungent body odor, whereas low-fat diets did not cause any noticeable change.
What to Avoid
Research has found that eating a diet high in proteins increases sulfur-containing compounds in the sweat, which causes a more pungent body odor. Here are some common examples of food that are high in protein:
- Eggs
- Lean meats
- Fish
- Tofu
- Beans and legumes
- Greek yogurt
- Nuts and seeds
- Soy products
Not only that, but certain foods such as garlic and onions can cause an unpleasant smell on the breath and skin if consumed heavily. So make sure to eat a balanced diet and pay particular attention to the types of foods you eat.
Food Types to Consider
On the other hand, eating a diet high in carbohydrates resulted in lower levels of sulfur-containing compounds, leading to weaker body odor. Plus, eating a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to keep body odor at bay. They are packed with antioxidants, which help fight off free radicals that can cause an unpleasant smell in sweat. Additionally, they contain many other beneficial compounds, such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber, that help to keep the body healthy and smelling great at the same time.
Some food you can include in your diet are:
- Fruits (e.g., apples, oranges, bananas)
- Vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale, broccoli)
- Whole grains (e.g., oats, brown rice)
- Nuts and seeds
- Beans and legumes
Stay Clean
Of course, proper hygiene is vital to smelling great. Taking regular baths or showers helps to keep the body clean and free from bacteria that can cause an unpleasant smell. Here are some ways you can stay clean.
Body Care
This might sound obvious but bathing regularly is key for having pleasant-smelling skin! Not only does this remove excess oils from the skin, which can cause foul odors, but it also allows us to use products like deodorant/ antiperspirants, which keep us feeling fresh all day long.
To take it one step further, adding essential oils or fragrant salts into warm baths can provide additional benefits such as relaxation and improved moods — both of which can help us feel more confident in ourselves!
Oral Health
We all know that brushing our teeth at least twice a day is important for maintaining good oral health, but it also helps us maintain good-smelling breath! Make sure you’re using an antibacterial toothpaste and flossing regularly to eliminate any hidden food particles between the teeth. Swishing with mouthwash can also help kill any bacteria that have built up in the mouth, leaving your breath smelling fresh.
Regular visits to the dentist are also important for keeping bad breath at bay. They can identify any underlying dental issues causing bad breath, such as cavities or gum disease—both of which need to be treated to eliminate unpleasant odors.
If applicable, this is the perfect time to take advantage of your insurance if it covers dentistry. Dental insurance covers all or part of the costs associated with dental care, such as routine checkups, fillings, extractions, braces, and more. It usually works like any other type of health insurance—when you go to the dentist, you submit a claim form to your insurance provider, and they cover some of the costs associated with your dental care.
Keep Your Clothes Clean
Finally, taking care of our clothing is also essential for smelling great. Washing and replacing clothes can keep unpleasant odors away. But there are other ways you can keep your clothes fresh.
As much as possible, you can try hanging clothes outside on a sunny day—this will allow them to get a natural freshness and reduce the amount of detergent needed when washing them.
If hanging clothes outside on a sunny day isn’t an option, there are other ways to keep them smelling fresh. Add sheets to the dryer to help reduce static and add a pleasant scent. You could also try incorporating essential oils into your laundry routine as a natural alternative—either by adding them directly to the washing machine or mixing them with water and spraying them onto clothes.
On top of that, using fragrance-free laundry detergents or fabric softeners can help keep your clothes smelling great for longer, too. Using fragrance-free laundry detergents has various benefits that can contribute to smelling great, even without using perfume. Fragrance-free detergents are ideal for sensitive skin or allergies as they don’t contain any added fragrances that may irritate the skin. They also don’t leave behind any harsh chemical residues, which can cause unpleasant smells on our clothing and skin.
Smelling great doesn’t need to be complicated—just a few simple habits are enough to ensure you create an aura of freshness wherever you go. Stay hydrated, eat smart and bathe regularly—these three habits should be enough to keep yourself smelling amazing!
