What does hygiene refer to?

Hygiene refers to practices and conditions that help maintain health and prevent the spread of disease, primarily through cleanliness. This encompasses a variety of actions, such as washing hands, bathing, and keeping living spaces clean, which are all essential for promoting individual and public health. The focus of hygiene is specifically on cleanliness and the measures taken to ensure sanitation, which directly contributes to overall well-being.

In contrast, dietary habits focus on nutrition and the types of food consumed, while exercise routines concentrate on physical fitness and maintaining an active lifestyle. Social practices may involve interactions and behaviors that promote communal well-being but do not directly address the individual practices that maintain cleanliness and health. Therefore, the emphasis on measures that contribute to cleanliness and good health encapsulates the essence of hygiene accurately.