Your Monsoon Wellness Guide ??

The monsoon season holds a mirror to life itself. It teaches the appreciation for nature's beauty and resilience, bringing joy and challenges, in turn instilling hope and caution. However, the season also has multiple health concerns that demand our attention and care.??

Data from NCBI shows that India's peak malaria cases coincide with monsoon season — nature's beauty with drawbacks!

Let’s discuss more about how this welcome break from the scorching summer can affect our health and overall well-being.

The ‘Monsoon blues’

Ever felt down or sluggish on a rainy day? That's not just a coincidence. There's a term for it - "monsoon blues", introduced by researchers at the Brigham Young University. It represents mood disorders on rainy, sun-scarce days. The decreased sunlight and the gloomy weather can mess with your "internal biological clock" or circadian rhythm, leading to depression, lethargy, and a general sense of not feeling like your usual self.?

Here’s the secret sauce to beat monsoon blues:

1. Embrace a healthy and balanced diet to combat reduced sunlight exposure during monsoons.?
2. Practice mindfulness and meditation to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

3. Stay socially connected to overcome feelings of depression and loneliness.

Food Troubles

On a cool, rainy evening, the appeal of a hot, crispy samosa is undeniable. Who can resist the perfect combination of a monsoon shower and a delicious snack? But there's a catch.

The high humidity during the monsoon season leads to quicker food spoilage, causing food-borne illnesses. “Because of the high moisture content in the air, viruses survive longer”. — says Dr Rhea Punjabi, a medical superintendent in Pune*.?

Your samosas may appear enticing externally. But it could be a different story inside, with bacteria and viruses thriving. This contaminated food can hit you with symptoms like nausea, stomach cramps, and even fever.?

How to be safe from food-borne diseases?

• Always wash hands for at least 20 sec before and after food handling.
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry, and seafood to avoid cross-contamination.??
• Refrigerate perishable foods to ensure their freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

The Unseen Culprits

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. They're responsible for spreading severe diseases, including Malaria, Dengue, and Chikungunya. Water-logging during heavy rainfall becomes the perfect hangout spot for mosquitoes to breed and multiply.?

Stagnant water also is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and parasites. If people unknowingly consume this contaminated water, it can lead to diarrheal diseases. Diseases like Cholera and Typhoid, and even Hepatitis-E, kill over 400,000 people each year.

Tips to steer-clear of these diseases?

1. Use water purification methods to eliminate harmful microorganisms.
2. Avoid consuming water from questionable or contaminated supplies.
3. Install water treatment systems to ensure safe drinking water for households.

Respiratory Risks

High humidity means there's a lot of moisture in the air, right? This could be problematic for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma. Moist air makes breathing harder for them; it’s like trying to breathe while swimming.

To make matters worse, the humidity can even trigger respiratory fungal infections. Inhaling these fungi leads to coughing, fatigue, and high fever.

Here are some remedies to ease your discomfort.?

1. Use air conditioning to create a more comfortable breathing environment.?
2. Avoid allergens like dust mites which can inflame respiratory conditions.?
3. Keep track of weather updates to plan your activities during less humid periods.

That’s all for this edition of our newsletter. Let this monsoon season be a time of rejuvenation and joy.

Until next time, stay healthy and happy! :)

Rishika Bidasaria

*Source: Hindustan Times