• Bathe or shower every day.
• Wash your face with mild soap and water twice a day: morning and bedtime.
• Wash your hair at least two to three times per week, or as often as necessary.
• Use a combination deodorant/anti-perspirant product under your arms. Puberty increases the production of sweat and changes the odor.
• This may seem obvious, but changing your underwear every day is very important, particularly when you reach or approach puberty.
• When you shower or bathe, make sure to clean your genital area and your underarms.
• You can take a bath or shower when you have your period. It's the best way to keep your body clean and fresh.

Exercise

Everybody knows that exercise is important. But did you know that if you are active for just 30 minutes, three times a week you will actually feel better, look better, and have a lot more energy. That's all you need to stay fit. Easy. Choose an activity that keeps your heart pumping - walking, running, dancing, biking, playing sports, in-line skating. It can be anything, as long as you're working it and having fun! Want to know something else that's cool about exercise? It can help to reduce menstrual cramps. That pretty much makes it worth it, don't you think?

Eating Right

The earlier you develop good eating habits, the healthier you'll be as an adult. We hate to nag, but it's really true. You need your three square meals a day to stay healthy and have enough energy in that growing body of yours.

So, what are good eating habits?

• Variety. Try to get food from all the basic food groups: grains, vegetables, fruit, milk, and meat and beans.
• Proportion. Look at the nutritional food pyramid to help you figure out what foods are better to eat than others. The nutritional pyramid is conveniently located on the side of many cereal boxes!
• Moderation. Not too much and not too little. You are growing and are probably active right now. You need the right amount of energy from food.