Daily Fit Tip: Wash your hands

You hear it all the time, but do you do it all the time? Really? Hand washing is one of the simplest, cheapest, easiest ways to stay healthy, yet a surprising number of people don't pay as much attention and put as much effort into it as they should.

The basics of washing your hands are as simple as using warm water and soap, but if you're really interested in doing it as effectively as possible then follow these steps:

• Using running warm water, create a good lather with a liquid or bar soap (surprisingly, non-antibacterial may be best).
• Rub your hands together vigorously for at least 15 seconds.
• Make sure you consciously rub all surfaces, including between fingers, fingernails, and the backs of your hands & wrists.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Use a clean or disposable towel to dry hands completely.
• Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

See the full article for additional tips on things like using hand sanitizer properly, and special issues around kids and hand washing.