Boosting Immunity During the Monsoon: Essential Tips and Practices

The rainy season is well and truly upon us. During this season, you may naturally be inclined to embrace the soothing atmosphere of the cosy weather. But to enjoy the monsoon to the fullest, you must keep your health in check. You must ensure your body is capable enough to fight against common illnesses and infections during monsoons, and that your immune system is strong. A robust immune system not only helps ward off ailments but also plays a significant role in reducing the severity and the duration of the infections you might encounter. If you wish to make the most of this beautiful rainy season, consider following these simple monsoon immunity tips.

Tips to Boost Immunity During the Monsoon

Some helpful tips to strengthen your immunity during monsoons are as under:

1. Maintain a balanced diet

   A balanced diet ensures your body gets the essential nutrients it requires to support the immune system. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that help protect your body from infections. Combining them with whole grains and proteins provides you with energy and amino acids, which are necessary for immune functions.

2. Stay hydrated

   Drinking enough water is crucial to maintain the proper functioning of the body’s organs, including the immune system. Water flushes out toxins and supports the circulation of nutrients throughout the body. Hence, keeping a check on your water intake is one of the best ways to boost your immunity during the monsoon season.

3. Get enough sleep

   A good night’s sleep helps maintain the immune function and overall health. When you sleep, your body repairs and rejuvenates itself. Lack of sleep hinders this process and ultimately weakens your immune system, which increases your risk of contracting infections. Hence, you must take measures to ensure you sleep well.

4. Manage stress

   Work and life stress can suppress the immune system, making you susceptible to infections. If you get overwhelmed easily, feel burnt out, or are struggling with chronic tension, you should take steps to address these issues. You can keep your stress levels in check by engaging in relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, which helps reduce stress while boosting immunity.

5. Exercise regularly

   Regular physical activity can enhance your immune function through good blood circulation. Exercising also helps reduce inflammation, which causes several diseases. If the idea of a workout seems overwhelming to you, you may try moderate exercises like walking, jogging, and stretching to keep your immune system strong.

6. Avoid spicy and oily food

   Spicy and oily food items are harmful during monsoons as they tend to cause inflammation and digestive issues. These foods may disrupt your gut health and weaken your immune system’s ability to defend the body against infections. To maintain a strong immune system, it is best to avoid excessive consumption of spicy and oily food.

7. Consume seasonal fruits

   Freshly harvested seasonal fruits are packed with essential immunity-boosting nutrients like vitamin A, potassium, and fibre that your body requires to ward off infections. Consuming seasonal fruits like oranges, plums, cherries, papaya, pomegranate, pears, etc., is one of the easiest ways to boost immunity during the monsoon.

8. Add protein-rich foods to your diet

   Proteins play a vital role in building and repairing tissues in the body, including immune cells. They provide essential amino acids that support various immune functions, which help in combating infections and diseases. Therefore, adding protein-rich foods like lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, lentils, and nuts is good for your immunity during monsoons.

9. Prioritise probiotics

   Probiotics help maintain the balance of good bacteria in the gut. A healthy gut microbiome is closely linked to a good functioning immune system. It strengthens the body’s defence against pathogens, while reducing the risk of falling sick during the rainy season. Some probiotic-rich foods you can include in your diet include yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods like idli, dosa, dhokla, etc.

10. Consider herbal teas

    Herbal teas contain various medicinal herbs that offer immunity-boosting properties. Herbs like ginger, tulsi, and cinnamon are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that support the body’s immune response. By drinking herbal teas, you can soothe your throat and alleviate congestion, which are common symptoms during the rainy season.

Exercising precautions and following the above-listed immunity boosting tips during the monsoon goes a long way in protecting your overall well-being. Besides taking care of yourself, you should also prepare for the unpredictable medical complications that can arise during the rainy season. These include water-borne diseases, accidents on slippery roads, and other medical emergencies. You can invest in a health insurance policy online to combat such possibilities without any financial burden.

FAQs

During monsoons, you should limit the consumption of sugary and processed foods, as they can affect immune function. It also helps to reduce the intake of high-sodium foods, which cause inflammation.

If you follow a poor diet or lead a sedentary lifestyle, you should consider adopting a balanced diet. It also helps to keep yourself active, get enough sleep, and avoid consumption of intoxicating substances.

You can make a hearty vegetable soup and a hot bowl of oatmeal with berries and honey. Other dishes worth trying are homemade chicken/tofu broth or lentil curry to pack in the proteins in your diet.

Some of the common signs of a weakened immune system include frequent infections, such as cold, cough, flu, and other respiratory illnesses.

Yes, there are certain superfoods that you can try to specifically boost your immunity. They include citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc. You can also add antibacterial ingredients, specifically herbs like ginger, garlic, and turmeric in your daily meals.