The arrival of monsoon brings welcome relief from the scorching heat, but this shifting weather also carries the risk of several illnesses. From children to the elderly, cases of viral infections, stomach trouble, colds and fever tend to rise quickly during this season. A little extra care in diet, hygiene and daily routine, however, can keep the body's immunity strong. The right diet, enough water and regular physical activity are considered the biggest keys to staying healthy through the rains.
Dr Reena Sharma, senior dietician at Sarvodaya Hospital in Faridabad, says the first thing to focus on as monsoon sets in is cleanliness. This hygiene should not be limited to the home alone but must extend to food and drink as well. According to her, it is best to use whichever fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits are available.
Water needs do not actually drop during the rains
Dr Sharma points to a common misconception. People assume that once the rains arrive, the body needs less water, but in reality the heat and humidity during this season remain just as high. That is why maintaining hydration matters and drinking enough water should never be skipped. She also recommends including whatever food is locally and seasonally available in the daily diet.
Feeding children often, and a special antioxidant drink
On children's health, Dr Sharma says the practice should be to feed them something at short intervals and to give them more liquids. At a recent health resolution event, she prepared a special drink named Antioxidant Plus. It is made from the Aparajita flower. To prepare it, the Aparajita flower is boiled in hot water, and once a single drop of lemon is added, its colour changes from blue to purple. As interesting as it looks, it is equally beneficial for health. According to Dr Sharma, this antioxidant drink helps protect the body from infection, and it can be consumed by children and adults alike. It is described as quite effective for staying healthy through the monsoon.
Even a busy schedule leaves room for yoga
Dr Sharma says including yoga in daily life does not have to be difficult. If someone's routine is too busy to set aside separate time for yoga, they can meditate right where they are seated, and even do light stretching in the same spot. For people working in offices, small movement breaks and stretching can also be worked into the daily routine. This keeps the body active and supports better overall health.
Trust the home kitchen over fast food
Dr Sharma notes that people's lives have become extremely fast paced these days, with everyone caught up in a rush. Some skip breakfast entirely, while others never get the chance to have lunch on time. As a result, people end up relying more on processed and fast food, even though healthier alternatives already exist in the home kitchen. She points to dry fruits, nuts, makhana and roasted chana as healthy snacks that are easy to eat and good for the body. During both summer and monsoon, drinks like lassi, sattu and lemon water help keep the body hydrated. Sattu has a cooling nature, so it can be mixed with lassi as well, and it can be consumed all year round rather than being limited to any one season.
The advice: make one healthy choice every day
Dr Sharma says her aim is for everyone to resolve to make at least one healthy food choice every single day. If a good eating habit is adopted daily, a person can not only keep themselves healthy but also inspire the people around them to follow a better lifestyle.
