Rain in India provides respite from extreme heat, humidity, dust, and consistent sweating. The arrival of the monsoon cheers up nature, agricultural fields, streams, ponds, and rivers. No doubt, it’s a happy time. But with the initiation of the rainy season come bacteria, viruses, mosquitoes, and others. So, while we may enjoy walking or dancing in the rain, leaping into a pond, or just relishing freshly sliced and spiced-up mixed fruits from the roadside vendor, it certainly isn’t completely harmless or mild on your health. There is various health hazards associated with the above things. Therefore, how to stay safe during the monsoon season?
So, to stay safe and revel in the rains to the utmost level, some basic yet important guidelines need to be followed and those are –
- Consume Clean Drinking Water for better health
Our natural tendency is to drink less water during the wet season. Contrary to our belief, our body demands more water and require staying hydrated in the rainy season to remain vigorous. Since monsoons trigger many diseases, make certain you are drinking uncontaminated and properly purified water, whether at home or outdoors. If you’re consuming beverages outside, ensure those are prepared using only pure water and ice cubes. Carrying your own bottle of water is the best option to be on the harmless side.
- Increase Your Probiotic & Vegetable Intake
Increase your intake of adequate probiotics like curd, yogurt, and others. This guarantees healthy levels of fantastic gut bacteria. Always shun stale food items as they might draw infection-causing germs. Add a lot of garden-fresh vegetables to your dietary items to get an immense amount of proteins, fibre, and other nutrients. Wash and clean the vegetables with care and caution and escape eating raw or uncooked foods without hesitation.
- Escape Junk Food
Junk food, recently cut fruits and street side tea and coffee, and other types of foodstuffs readily available on the street should always be shunned. Since the roads are generally dotted with potholes completely overflowing with water and sludge, these make perfect incubators for numerous types of damaging microbes. If the food substances are exposed for a prolonged period to the open air, they are expectedly to become a safe refuge for the microbes. Therefore, every time you enjoy your favorite street food, there’s every possibility that you are going to contract a disease.
- Improve Your Vitamin C Intake
Since monsoon is the impeccable time for viruses and bacteria to boom, diseases like viral fevers, coughs and colds, allergic reactions, and many other viral infections are widespread among people. Likewise, the air has more bacteria during this period. So, to stay fit, you need to enhance your resistance power. The straightforward way of doing that is to increase your Vitamin C consumption. So, go for sprouts, fresh green vegetables, and fruits like oranges and lemons to enrich your Vitamin C-based diet.
- Be Cautious About Breeding Grounds for Mosquitoes
Before the monsoon sets in clear out stagnant water in and around your residence. But being extra careful against mosquitoes does not conclude with clearing our stagnant water and keeping garden areas clean. Mosquitoes can disturb you everywhere and at any time. So never forget to generously rub on mosquito repellants when you decide to move outdoors. Also, in your home, don’t be casual about using mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, and more. Make maximum use of these things to protect yourself. Visit your doctor for systematic health checkups and consult a specialist if you feel sick.
- Iron Soggy Garments
This might look like a bizarre suggestion. The monsoon is perfect for moulds. You usually use the cupboards, wardrobes, and almirahs to store attire, bed sheets, and linen. The storage part of this furniture generally stays cool and without any exposure to sunlight. It starts to get soggy as the rainy season advances. The dampness and moisture within the furniture invite moulds. As, there’s rarely any sunlight to warm your clothes and linens, ironing them is the next most logical alternative you have at your disposal.
- Don’t be Careless with Hand Hygiene
Please wash or clean your hands cautiously before you use them to consume something when you are at your residence or away from it, especially during the monsoon season. Practicing and propagating decent hand cleanliness habits destroys nearly all microbes that may occur on the skin of your hand. As we recognize, the populace of injurious germs increases during the monsoon so take care.
- Use Disinfectant in Bathwater
It’s normal to be lured to get wet in the rain after the hot and humid spell of the summer season. Though, the impurities and dirt can get stuck on your skin and hair and hurt you in the future. So, always ensure to wash with decontaminators like Dettol, Betadine, and others each time you get wet. It will protect you from the dangerous microorganisms you transmit at home and assist you to stay vigorous and fit.
Please wash your hands, feet, face, and legs as you return home. Use only unpolluted water to clean your face.
- Move into an Air-conditioned Area Only When You are Dry
It can be monsoon or summer; the humidity is never fully gone. So during your commute, you usually get drenched in sweat. If your office or residence is air-conditioned, wait patiently before entering. Dry yourself as much as possible with a towel. The sudden explosion of cold air from air conditioners can cause common cough and cold if your skin and clothes are wet.
- Get Adequate Sleep
Avoid staying up late at night. A minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep boosts immunity and this aids to lessen the probabilities of infection and cough and cold which are common health issues suffered by people during monsoons.
The above elaborated ten points are crucial for maintaining good health during the rainy season.
