What precautions you need to avoid common cold and flu this rainy season?

The rainy season is already peeping at us. We enjoy watching the drops of rain glittering on leaves and taking a sip from a cup of tea during the rainy season. However, viruses and bacteria tend to spread more during the rainy season. Hence, flu and cold get widely common. It does not mean that we will stop appreciating the beauty of the rainy season.

As prevention is always better than cure, let's look at some of the useful tips to protect ourselves from the common cold and flu this monsoon.

Basic hygiene: With the coronavirus outbreak, we are widely aware of the importance of basic hygiene like using hand sanitisers, washing hands for at least 20 seconds and covering the face while sneezing. As common flu is highly contagious, we should maintain basic hygiene to prevent its spreading. Moreover, we should be more cautious regarding hygiene while going to public places and using public transport and maintain distance from a sick person.

Adequate amount of sleep: Sleeping for 8 hours allows the body to rest. Sleep assists in the release of cytokine, a group of protein which regulates immunity and inflammation. Hence, a sufficient amount of sleep is a must-have for a strong immune system and to prevent viral diseases.

Eat a balanced diet: Eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for boosting our immune system. We should include vitamins, minerals and proteins in our meal. It is recommended to eat vegetables of all colours to get different vitamins in ample amount. Vitamin D deficiency can result in a weaker immune system. Sunlight is a good source of vitamin D. However, we should eat seafood, cheese, milk and egg yolk to add vitamin D to our diet.

Exercise: Regular exercise sets a barrier against various chronic diseases ranging from physiological diseases to neurological disease. Even the simplest exercise like walking plays an effective role in keeping us healthy.

Avoid junk food:  It's very unlikely that proper hygiene is maintained while our favourite street food is prepared. It is better to avoid junk food to prevent the potential spread of germs; instead, we should consume homemade healthy foods.

Hot drinks and meals: Drinking green tea and ginger tea are beneficial as tea is packed with antioxidants. A bowl of warm vegetable soup is also helpful in enhancing the immunity system and keeping the body warm.

Pack your umbrella or raincoat: Even if it is sunny in the morning, we might encounter heavy rain by noon. Hence, it's better to carry an umbrella or raincoat to avoid drenching in the rain.

Take a shower after drenching: If we drench in the rain and remain in drenched cloth for a long time, our body temperature would drop and be more vulnerable to catching a cold. Hence, it is advisable to take a shower and wear dry clothes to adjust the body temperature.   

 Add turmeric to diet: Adding a pinch of turmeric to warm milk is believed to have innumerable health benefits in our country. Turmeric is scientifically proven to improve the immunity system, and its anti-inflammatory properties help to fight foreign invaders in your body. Natural living ideas.com says; Turmeric accelerates mucus production, which assists in naturally flushing out microbes that clog our respiratory tract.