Top 20 health tips that work best for Monsoon

Monsoons bring refreshing rains, offering relief from the scorching summer heat, but they also come with health challenges. The weather during this time can lead to troublesome stomach infections, skin infections, colds, malaria, dengue, chikungunya and Typhoid. The high humidity and frequent rainfall, combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices, can disrupt your digestive system, making you more susceptible to infections and discomfort. To fully enjoy the beauty of the monsoons while staying healthy, it’s important to follow some health tips for this season. Simple changes in your diet and hygiene can keep you healthy and prevent common monsoon illnesses. Here are 20 monsoon tips to help you stay healthy during this season:

1) Avoid Fried Food and Street Food

Avoid or limit eating streetside or deep-fried items during monsoon. Humid weather slows down digestion, so steer clear of fried and street food. These can cause indigestion, bloating diarrhoea, or stomach infections. Avoid Items like golgappa from the streets, instead try making it at home. You can also relish homemade hot and steamy snacks. This will satisfy your monsoon cravings without disturbing your digestion.

2) Say No to Seafood

Monsoons breed water-borne diseases, and seafood consumption during this time is risky. Wait until the rainy season ends to enjoy fish and prawns.

3) Choice of Grains for Monsoon

During the monsoon season, it’s important to consume grains that are light on the stomach and easy to digest. Barley, rice, and wheat are ideal choices because they provide the necessary energy and nutrition without overburdening the digestive system. Preparing these grains in fresh, hot meals ensures that the food is free from contaminants and helps maintain body warmth, which is crucial during the damp and cool monsoon weather.

4) Wear Loose and Breathable Clothing

Opt for clothing that is loose-fitting and made from breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. This type of clothing allows air circulation, keeping the body cool and preventing excessive sweating, which can lead to skin infections and discomfort. Loose clothing also ensures better movement and comfort during the humid monsoon season, reducing the risk of fungal infections that are common in tight, non-breathable fabrics.

5) Choice of Fruits

Include peaches, plums, cherries, pomegranate, pear, and mangoes during the monsoon season. These fruits are particularly beneficial during the monsoon because they are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential nutrients that boost immunity and help fight infections. Peaches, plums, and cherries are high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which protect the body from free radicals.

6) Choices of vegetables

Add bitter and astringent vegetables to your daily diet. These vegetables are known to reduce water retention and are good for your stomach during the monsoons. These vegetables also reduce nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, acid reflux, or heartburn. If you are having leafy greens, clean them thoroughly and cook them well.

7) Avoid Day time Naps

Taking naps during the day can negatively impact your digestive system and overall metabolism. When you nap, your body’s natural digestive processes slow down, which can lead to indigestion and a feeling of heaviness.

8) Fasting in monsoon

Fasting is especially recommended during the monsoon season, particularly for people who enjoy socialising and have irregular eating habits. You can enjoy many health benefits by fasting once a week or every two weeks during this season. It helps improve your digestion.

9) Stay active

During the monsoon season, outdoor activities can be limited due to heavy rains and slippery conditions. To stay active and maintain your fitness, it’s important to find ways to exercise indoors. This can include activities such as yoga, pilates, home workouts, dancing, or even simple exercises like stretching and bodyweight exercises.

10) Include ginger

Crush a little piece of ginger with rock salt and have it before each meal. It will reduce bloating, increase gastrointestinal motility, and protect your gut. You can also drink a small cup of ginger tea after a heavy meal. To make ginger tea, add ¼ teaspoon of finely powdered or dried ginger root or a ginger tea bag to a cup of boiling water. Allow it to infuse for 5 minutes. Alternatively, boil 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped ginger in 250 ml of water for 10 minutes, then drain and add honey and lemon as desired.

11) Detox water

Drink enough of water/detox water to eliminate toxins, infections, and gut and kidney disorders and to strengthen your immune system. Adults who engage in moderate physical activity are advised to drink 12 glasses of water each day, whereas children and the elderly are advised to drink 4-5 and 9-13 glasses, respectively.

12) Have easy-to-digest food

Avoid foods that take several hours to digest. The proteins and fats in red meat and fish might take up to two days to properly digest. Fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, are easy to digest and high in fibre. In addition, the monsoon season is fish breeding season, and there is a heightened risk of contamination during this time. So avoid eating fish during the monsoons.

13) Include probiotics

Having curd during the monsoon is a thought. Curd is a naturally fermented milk product made from cow or buffalo milk that contains Lactobacillus Bulgaricus (good bacteria). These bacteria already exist in the gut and help digestion. As a result, consuming curd will aid digestion and ease the gastrointestinal tract during the monsoon.

14) Add herbs and spices

Add additional herbs and spices to your meals, such as basil, spearmint, cloves, ginger, garlic, and turmeric. It will improve your health and immunity during the monsoon. Furthermore, herbs and spices have low calorie, salt, and fat content and are cholesterol-free.

15) Boost your vitamin C intake

Lemon is a superfood that should be added to drinks or food during the monsoon season to help digestion. It is high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which help the immune system fight off viruses that cause the common cold and flu. A glass of hot water with full lemon juice and a generous spoonful of honey will not only start your day off right, but will also boost your immunity and keep you healthy during the rainy season.

16) Keep your skin dry

To avoid fungal infections, dry your body properly after being wet in the rain. Pay extra attention to moisture-prone areas, such as the skin’s creases and feet.

17) Use an antifungal soap

Increased moisture and humidity can lead to fungal diseases such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, and flare dermatitis. Use antifungal soap instead of conventional soap in your daily bathing regimen. Look for one that has clotrimazole, which is known for its antifungal properties.

18) Use Mosquito repellents

To avoid mosquito bites, apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin, particularly in the early morning and evening when mosquitoes are most active.

19) Avoid getting soaked in the rain

Avoid getting drenched in the rain. Staying wet for prolonged periods can lower your body temperature, making you more susceptible to colds and other illnesses. However, if this occurs, changing into dry clothes as soon as possible is vital to avoid illness, as immunity is naturally low during the rainy season.

20) Prevent the breeding of mosquitoes

Eliminate any stagnant water sources around your home, such as flower pots, coolers, and containers. Stagnant water serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. You may add mosquito dunks, Copper Sulfate, salt or vegetable oil to the containers to stop mosquito breeding. This proactive measure will help reduce the risk of malaria, dengue, chikungunya and typhoid in your area.

Takeaway

As the monsoon season approaches, it’s important to be proactive in safeguarding your health and well-being. By following these valuable tips and precautions, you can minimise the risk of monsoon-related health concerns and fully enjoy the rainy season. Prioritise personal hygiene, water and food choices, mosquito control, skincare, and immune-boosting practices. Remember, your health is your responsibility, and by taking the necessary precautions, you can have a safe and healthy monsoon season. Stay safe, and enjoy the rains!