Staying healthy this rainy season

MANILA, Philippines - Unfortunately, doing the “sun dance” would not really make the heavy rainstorm go away. So protecting yourself in full gear this rainy season is always a must.

Congested gutters and grubby puddles are sources of water-borne diseases, which are frequently acquired during the rainy season. Therefore, it is important to take good care of your health, as well as diet during monsoon. Here are some healthful tips:

Make umbrella your favorite accessory
A sudden change in body temperature is brought by getting wet from an abrupt downpour. Never forget to bring your umbrella. Just in case you get soaked, remember to take bath after coming back to home as taking a bath helps in normalizing our body temperature.

Eat healthy and drink clean water
Defense that comes from within is essential. A strong immune system will protect you from sickness. A hot soup does not just make your day a little warmer, it also refreshes and energizes your body. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C will boost your immune system.  Do not forget to wash your foods as it may be contaminated. Be vigilant of contaminated water sources that could bring water borne diseases such as amoebiasis and cholera.

Wash your hands and feet, avoid puddles
Prevent viruses and bacteria from spreading by washing your hands and your feet regularly.  Wearing the proper rain boots will protect your feet from getting wet. Leptospirosis is a common disease during rainy season. Avoid wading in floodwaters to protect yourself from this disease.

Keep your surroundings clean
Filthy surroundings will most likely breed diseases. Aside from leptospirosis, dengue is also a widespread disease during the monsoon. To avoid this, do not leave any water stagnant and keep your waterways clean.

Stay active indoors
The sprinkles and trickles this season might impede your exercise routine. You may be tempted to curl up under the covers, but it is always advisable to stay active and shed some pounds. Staying active will also help normalize the circulation in your body.