The cooling showers of monsoon bring much respite from the summer heat. But along with the showers, comes the threat of viral and bacterial infections, some of which can be life threatening. However, if you take some simple precautions you can enjoy the showers without falling prey to such infections.
Here are 6 Simple and Effective Ways of staying healthy this monsoon:
1 . Pay Attention To Personal Hygiene
-Maintaining high levels of hygiene can nip 80% fevers and infections in the bud.
-Make sure you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap everytime you sue the washroom, before and after eating and after you come back from work.
-Carry a hand sanitizer with you for times when you have no access to sap and water
-Get into the habit of washing your feet every time you enter the house. Pay special attention to your toes and nails. Dry them well too to avoid fungal infections thereafter.
2 . Stay Safe From Mosquitoes
-Monsoon equals mosquitoes just about everywhere. These mosquitoes have the potential of causing deadly diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya.
-Protect yourself from mosquitoes by means of nets on windows and bed nets.
-Do not let any water to collect in your flower pots, coolers and neighborhood.
-Use mosquito repellent creams, lotions and patches even during daytime.
-The smell of sweat attracts mosquitoes and feet tend to smell the most.
-Apply a thick layer of repellent on your footwear and trousers as most mosquito bites occur on feet and legs.
3 . Be Careful When Eating Out
-Avoid food from roadside vendors where hygiene levels are low. If you do have to eat, then go for freshly toasted sandwiches or piping hot food items.
-Skip the chutneys and sauces for good, as contaminated water is a big source of gut infections and food poisoning during monsoons.
-Avoid tap water and get your water purifier serviced and cleaned before the rains. Opt for mineral water when outside or in doubt.
-Drink enough water to keep yourself well hydrated and maintain immunity levels.
4 . Go For Home-Made Soups And Teas
-Herbal teas are packed with antioxidants, increase immunity and protect against diseases.
-Get in the habit of brewing a jug full of green tea with ginger, cinnamon and cardamom to sip and serve throughout the day.
Also Read: Cardamom Health Benefits
-Include hot vegetable soups with ginger in your diet. Grate well washed and peeled ginger in your vegetables while cooking and sprinkle crushed black pepper on soups and teas. Have milk with a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder.
-Squeeze lemon juice on everything and anything to increase Vitamin C content of your diet. Freshly squeezed lemon juice on dal helps absorb the iron from the pulses and iron rich foods.
5 . Make Tulsi A Part Of Your Routine
-The humble, inexpensive Tulsi is a powerful immune builder and disease fighter. We tend to pop our multivitamins, but ignore this potent herb from our own backyard.
-Simply boil crushed ginger, crushed tulsi and black pepper powder in water and sip a cup every single day.
-Tulsi is a powerful antioxidant, builds immunity, and is proven as an antibacterial, antiviral, detoxifying, purifying agent that is good for the respiratory system, skin and hair.
6 . Stay Away From Certain Foods
-Monsoon makes the leafy greens especially susceptible to germs. So, steer clear of vegetables like spinach, cabbage and cauliflower.
-Carbonated beverages and fizzy drinks are best avoided as they reduce the minerals in our body.
-Go easy on dairy products as our digestive systems are sluggish in monsoon and these foods are difficult to digest. Also, they are an easy breeding ground for bacteria.
-Fresh roadside juices should not be consumed as these fruits are cut or peeled in advance and are a source for contamination. In addition, the containers used to store them are usually unhygienic.
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So, go ahead and follow these simple tips and enjoy the monsoon season in a healthy way. Stay Healthy, Stay Happy!