5 Ways you can stay healthy this Monsoon
The monsoon season brings much needed respite after the scorching hot months of summer. Where the heavy downpour may have us spend more time indoors, it also has the potential to usher in various health problems that can possibly manifest themselves in a more serious fashion.
Today, the situation of the world we live in has worsened to a great extent with the unforeseen arrival of the Covid-19 Pandemic. With chaos among the public about how the virus spreads and a strong emphasis on the word ‘immunity’, the world has plunged into chaos trying to strengthen their immunity as a means to battle the pandemic. It is wise to remember that the monsoons are known to be a time when immunity may take a hit and staying healthy must be made a priority.
In light of the arrival of the rainy season, here are 5 ways you can stay healthy this monsoon:
1.Focus on Personal Hygiene:
As a responsibility to one’s own personal health, cleanliness and personal hygiene are of utmost importance in the kind of weather that we experience during the monsoons. With moisture in the air and the increased possibility of sweat building up under our clothes, there is a great chance of the impurities and toxins from the sweat festering onto the skin. The best way to avoid such dermatological conditions is to bathe twice a day and keep the nooks and crannies of the body clean. Not doing so could lead to severe skin problems that can be detrimental to overall body immunity. Washing your hands regularly and keeping your nails trimmed and clean is also of vital importance since it curbs the spread of disease significantly. Ensure that you seek out a dermatologist if you have persistent skin issues.
2. Workout, Indoors:
Exercise is of prime importance on any day of the week, since it promotes bodily movement and gets rid of lethargy building up. Staying indoors this monsoon may have made us a bit too comfortable with our homes being our safe environments and thus may have led us to take our physical health for granted.
The lack of movement that comes from living a sedentary lifestyle can cause obesity. It also brings along with it a slew of health problems that can prove detrimental to joints such as the hip and knees, and also have a permanent adverse effect on posture. Obesity has its problems tied up with heart conditions and high blood pressure which can lead to further complications if not taken seriously. Therefore it is highly recommended that you perform exercises for building stamina, flexibility and physical strength can be beneficial even when performed indoors.
3. Watch what you eat:
Obesity however can be only one of the possible concerns when it comes to a sedentary and lethargic life during the monsoons. It can also be due to unhealthy eating habits like binge eating, and uncontrollable consumption of unhealthy food can lead to complications such as diabetes and gastrointestinal problems that may cause long term damage to the body constitution.
Watching what you eat is important since outside food can carry more contaminants in a moisture laden environment rather than one with heat. Thus, food stored in the cold or room temperatures are best avoided and hot, fresh food is advised to be consumed. This is because bacteria and viruses thrive in cooler temperatures and can find incubation in the body once you are exposed to them. Do not forget to clean the produce you purchase for each meal. Also keep in mind that avoiding a healthy meal for long periods of time can cause muscles to atrophy and malnourishment over time. Neither extreme condition is safe for the human body and thus a healthy and balanced, dietary regimen that includes mainly home cooked meals is recommended during this unpredictable weather cycle.
4. A healthy mind is a healthy kind:
It is often misunderstood that Monsoon blues are a myth. However, as is deemed by many psychologists today, Monsoon Depression is a very real mental health condition that, though rare, can be severely detrimental to the mental health of the individual experiencing it. This type of seasonal depression brings with it bouts of mood swings, lethargy, tiredness, overeating and either excessive sleep or insomnia.
These are the signs that can be seen during the early arrival of the monsoons and fades away as the weather changes. Though seasonal, this kind of mental health disorder can lead to further triggers and deteriorate mental health over time, if not addressed by a professional. It is therefore advised that you seek mental health aid online from a qualified psychiatrist who can help prevent further damage.
5. Keep your surroundings Clean:
It goes without saying but having a clean environment can define your personal life to a great extent. A messy house can indirectly tie itself into being a sign of or manifesting as a mental health disorder, lead to hygiene and personal health problems and also be a hotbed for mold, insects, funguses and other life that may find solace in a messy environment.
Additionally, a dusty environment can lead to respiratory distress such as asthma and wheezing. Whereas long term effects of mold in the house can lead to skin rashes and permanent respiratory damage leading to long term lung disorders.
It is therefore recommended to clean every corner of the house thoroughly at least once a week to avoid the adverse effects of the natural environment festering a polluted space. Find appropriate cleaning services or equipment that can aid you in eliminating any sources of potential health problems.
It is understandable that it may be difficult to follow each and every point to ensure good health for you and your loved ones. However, beginning to establish certain changes within your lifestyle can be the impetus to improve overall health slowly but steadily in the foreseeable future. If you feel that there is a health condition that requires urgent examination and diagnosis, it is advised that you seek the help of a Doctor with an appointment at their clinic, or online over Whatsapp. While visiting a hospital ensure that you wear protective gear such as a mask and gloves as a means to help hospitals maintain a sanitized environment and prevent the spread of diseases.