The Best Monsoon Health Tips For You And Your Family

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The showers bring with them the much-needed relief from the scorching heat, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of your problems. Yes, the season brings its own host of problems, which is why you need to be armed with monsoon health tips to stay on top of the game.

Give importance to your health right from the start so that you can enjoy the monsoons without falling sick. Use these easy tips and hacks for yourself as well as for your family.

1. How Can We Stay Healthy In Rainy Season?
2. Focus On Your Diet
3. Exercise Regularly
4. Care For Your Nails
5. Protect Yourself Against The Allergens
6. Say No To Wet Shoes
7. FAQs:

How Can We Stay Healthy In Rainy Season?

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Staying healthy in the monsoon season is about taking care of your skin, diet, hydration levels, the clothes you wear, and more.

Let’s start with the basic do’s and don’ts in the rainy season:

• Avoid getting drenched in the rain as that can make you prone to viruses or bacteria; if you do, shower or dry off immediately.
• Shower with disinfected water to avoid infections and diseases.
• Practise good hand hygiene by always washing your hands with soap and water or sanitising them before eating anything.
• Eat healthy food and drink enough water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel as thirsty.

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• Avoid mold in clothes by ironing them to make them completely dry before putting them away in the closet.
• Wear loose cotton clothes to prevent skin infections.
• Make sure your gym clothes are made of a material that wicks away moisture. Sweat sitting on the skin can cause skin infections, so be sure to shower immediately after working out.
• Clear out stagnant water in and around your house to prevent mosquito proliferation. Use mosquito repellent, coils, and sprays to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, etc.
• Don’t forget the lessons the COVID-19 pandemic taught us – practice social distancing and wear a face mask to avoid contagious diseases.

Tip: Using antifungal powder helps you stay dry and prevent fungal skin infections.

Focus On Your Diet

The above infographic lists some dietary changes that you can make during monsoon for your health. Read on for some extra points.

• Increase Vitamin C Intake: Bacterial and viral infections, allergic reactions are most rampant in monsoon. To combat these, increase your immunity by simply upping your intake of vitamin C. Consult your doctor and take a supplement, or just add sprouts, oranges, and green vegetables to your daily diet.
• Increase Probiotic Intake: Probiotics are nothing but microorganisms that support your health. So, increase your intake of yoghurt and buttermilk to improve gut health and boost nutrient absorption.

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• Drink Safe Water: Be it at home or outside, make sure the water you drink is purified to avoid water-borne illnesses. Avoid drinking water or beverages at places where hygiene is compromised. Carry your own water if you’re heading out.
• Avoid Junk Food: Junk food is laden with calories, so don’t overdo it. If you feel like having fried foods, opt for grilled instead. Avoid eating out at places where the food might have been sitting out for long.
• Care For Your Fruits And Vegetables: Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming them.

Exercise Regularly

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Exercise is a must for overall health. In monsoon, exercising regularly will keep your body prepared to fight off infections. Also, if you happen to indulge in fried foods, working out will help you burn the extra calories. Another benefit is that exercising boosts mood; so, if you feel down in the dumps this season, you know exactly what to do!

Tip: Start with light exercise like walking at a slow pace, jogging, or cycling. If you don’t want to step out, doing household chores like cooking and dusting also count.

Care For Your Nails

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Hand hygiene is of utmost importance, more so in the monsoon. Make sure you keep your nails clipped short and scrub underneath them thoroughly every day to keep germs and grime from accumulating. Otherwise, you’ll end up transferring them to your stomach while eating, leading to health problems.

Tip: Touching your face with dirty hands or nails can lead to breakouts or acne.

Protect Yourself Against The Allergens

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If you know you have an allergy to pollen, mold, or other allergens, always keep your allergy medicine with you. Minimise reactions by wearing a face mask when you step out.

Tip: Eating onions, tomatoes, ginger, turmeric, bee pollen, and citrus fruits can help alleviate seasonal allergies.

Say No To Wet Shoes

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Avoid wearing closed-toe shoes in the monsoon as keeping feet packed in sweat and humidity can lead to fungal infections. If you do wear shoes, allow them to breathe between wears, alternating with other shoes or sandals.

Tip: If you happen to get your shoes drenched in the rain, leave them to dry on their own. Once the water seems to have drained out, you can stuff newspaper inside to help draw moisture out.

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FAQs:

Q. What type of food should we take in the monsoon?

A. Eat healthy food this season to keep your health in check. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and grilled foods, instead of fried foods. Add spices like turmeric, pepper, ginger and garlic to your food to boost immunity. Sip on hot beverages like tea and eat soups. Buttermilk and yoghurt will keep your gut healthy.

Q. What should not eat in the rainy season?

A. Avoid eating outside, especially if you’re not sure of the hygiene practices followed at the eatery. Do not eat foods that have been left out uncovered. Avoid fried foods to keep tummy troubles like diarrhea at bay.

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Q. Can we eat lemon during the rainy season?

A. Lemon is packed with vitamin C which helps boost immunity. Its other bioactive compounds promote overall wellness. Add a zing to dishes with a spritz of fresh lemon or start your day with a glass of warm lemon water. Lemon juice is also a good addition to your monsoon diet as it can hydrate your body and replenish electrolytes lost through excessive sweating.

Q. Should we drink milk in monsoon?

A. Warm milk with turmeric can be the best thing to have right before bedtime. Remember to not leave milk outside the fridge for too long or it will go bad.