Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : The monsoon season brings welcome relief from the heat, but it also creates a perfect breeding ground for germs, leading to a spike in colds, coughs, and other seasonal infections. While we often blame the weather, sometimes it's our own everyday habits that make us more vulnerable to getting sick.
By being mindful and making a few small adjustments, you can enjoy the rainy season while keeping your immune system strong. Here are five common habits you should avoid during the monsoon.
1. Skipping on Handwashing
The increased humidity during monsoon allows viruses and bacteria to thrive on surfaces for longer. Touching a contaminated doorknob, railing, or phone and then touching your face is one of the fastest ways to catch an infection.
What to do instead: Make frequent handwashing a non-negotiable habit. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after returning home.
2. Indulging in Street Food
As tempting as a plate of hot pakoras from a street vendor might be, monsoon is the riskiest time to indulge. The water used for cooking and washing can be contaminated, leading to serious waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera, and stomach infections.
What to do instead: Satisfy your cravings with fresh, home-cooked meals and snacks. This ensures hygiene and safety.
3. Staying in Damp Clothes or Shoes
Getting caught in a downpour is common, but staying in wet clothes for a prolonged period can lower your body temperature, making you more susceptible to catching a cold. Dampness also encourages the growth of fungus, leading to skin infections like ringworm and athlete's foot.
What to do instead: Change out of wet clothes and footwear as soon as you get home. Dry yourself completely to stay warm and keep fungal infections at bay.
4. Reaching for Cold Food and Drinks
According to traditional health wisdom, consuming cold items like ice cream, cold juices, and iced drinks can weaken your digestive system and make you more prone to throat infections and colds during the monsoon.
What to do instead: Opt for warm foods and drinks. A bowl of hot soup or a cup of herbal tea can be both comforting and beneficial for your immunity.
5. Forgetting to Drink Enough Water
When the weather is cool and pleasant, we often don't feel as thirsty and tend to drink less water. However, staying hydrated is crucial for flushing out toxins from the body and supporting your immune system's ability to fight off infections.
What to do instead: Keep a water bottle handy and sip throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. Warm water or herbal infusions are great options.
Read More: One Simple Ten Minute Daily Habit Can Cut Heart Attack Risk by Half
