The rainy season is the time of year when most of a region’s average annual rainfall occurs. Generally, the season lasts at least a month. The term “green season” is also sometimes used as a euphemism by tourist authorities. Areas with wet seasons are dispersed across portions of the tropics and subtropics. The rainy season is right around the corner! Hence, Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System has brought out some tips for our readers by which, they can prevent themselves and family members from falling victim to various infections and diseases during the rainy season.
Rainy season Definition
The portion of the year during which rainfall amounts are greatest.
Areas affected
Areas with a savanna climate in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Darfur, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Botswana have a distinct rainy season.
Also, subtropical areas like Florida, South Texas, and southern Louisiana have a rainy season.
Monsoon regions include the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia (including Indonesia and Philippines), Northern sections of Australia’s North, Polynesia, Central America, western and southern Mexico, the Desert Southwest of the United States, southern Guyana, portions of northeast Brazil.
Northern Guyana has two rainy seasons:
- One in early spring, and
- Other in early winter
In western Africa, there are two rainy seasons across southern sections, but only one across the north. Within the Mediterranean climate regime, the west coast of the United States and the Mediterranean coastline of Italy, Greece, and Turkey experience a rainy season in the winter months.
Similarly, the rainy season in the Negev desert of Israel extends from October through May. At the boundary between the Mediterranean and monsoon climates lies the Sonoran desert, which receives the two rainy seasons associated with each climate regime.
The rainy season is known by many different local names throughout the world. For example, in Mexico, it is known as “storm season”.
Different names are given to the various short “seasons” of the year by the Aboriginal tribes of Northern Australia: the rainy season typically experienced there from December to March is called Gudjewg. The precise meaning of the word is disputed, although it is widely accepted to relate to the severe thunderstorms, flooding, and abundant vegetation growth commonly experienced at this time.
Rainy season Effects
In tropical areas, when the monsoon arrives, high daytime high temperatures drop and overnight low temperatures increase, thus reducing diurnal temperature variation.
During the monsoon, a combination of heavy rainfall and, in some places such as Hong Kong, an onshore wind, improve air quality.
In Brazil, the wet season is correlated with weaker trade winds off the ocean. The level of water becomes more balanced due to the charging of local aquifers during the wet season. Water also softens, as the concentration of dissolved materials reduces during the wet season. Erosion is also increased during rainy periods.
Arroyos that are dry at other times of the year fill with runoff, in some cases with water as deep as 10 feet (3.0 m). Leaching of soils during periods of heavy rainfall depletes nutrients. The higher runoff from land masses affects nearby ocean areas, which are more stratified, or less mixed, due to stronger surface currents forced by the heavy rainfall runoff.
Diseases
The rains bring along with its dollops of relief from the scorching heat and also a sense of ecstasy amongst children and youngsters who love drenching themselves out in the rain. But, it is a busy season for laboratories, clinics and hospitals all across the country as with monsoon arrives swarms of unwanted and harmful viruses and diseases that leave no stone unturned to reach out to the common man in various forms:
Important tips
Besides preparing your umbrella and raincoat before leaving home, there are a few things to keep in mind. We hope the following tips will help you stay healthy during this rainy season:
1. Flu vaccine
The National Kidney Foundation, as cited from its website, says the flu vaccine is critical for preventing flu infections and reducing flu symptoms.
2. Enough, good sleep at night
A study in 2009, as published on Health.com, claims that people who sleep less than seven hours a day are three times more prone to flu.
3. Wash your hands regularly, with water and soap
Keeping your hands clean (almost for 20 seconds) is the first step to prevent the spread of germs and infections, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
4. Drink a lot of liquids
Warm drinks, like orange juice or tea, can help to prevent dehydration and reduce sore throat.
5. Consume vegetables and fruits high in antioxidants
The University of California, Berkeley recommends broccoli, cauliflower, and kale for the stronger immune system.
6. Stay away from people who are sick
Keep a distance from people who are sick. If you have to shake hands with them, always wash your hands using warm water and soap afterward for almost 20 seconds.
7. Disinfect your home
Disinfect your house with detergent, especially the door handles and furniture surface.
8. Wash the sheet and pillowcases regularly
Change the sheets and pillowcases regularly, especially when someone at home has got flu, to prevent the spread of the virus.
9. Keep your workout routines
According to the American Heart Association, daily workouts can prevent infections of germs and bacteria.
10. Get under the sun
Even when it is cloudy outside, spend some time under the morning sun to get that healthy vitamin D.
11. Consume foods rich in vitamin D
The Dairy Council of California recommends some foods and drinks rich in vitamin D, which are good for immunity.
12. Use hand sanitizer
WebMD website suggests bringing alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which you can use when you cannot get water and soap for washing your hands.
13. Eat garlic
The Dairy Council of California recommends adding garlic to foods because it is high in selenium and helps to strengthen the immune system.
14. Consume dairies
Cheese and yogurt contain linoleic acid and probiotics, which can help to protect the body from infections.
15. Avoid sharing kitchen utensils
Do not share plates, spoons, forks, and glasses with others, to prevent the transmission of viruses or bacteria from an infected person.
16. Cover your mouth when sneezing
Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper, handkerchief, or part of your clothes when you sneeze or cough. This can reduce the spread of viruses or bacteria.
17. Avoid stress
Carl Charnetski, MD, a psychology professor at Wilkes University has found that doing activities we enjoy can improve immunity.
18. Wear a warm outfit
When it is cold, wear a warm outfit to keep the body warm and prevent shivering.
19. Take a warm bath or shower
According to a study in 2009 as published on Health.com, a warm bath or shower can help to combat the spread of the virus as well as reducing sore throat that often comes with flu.
20. Put your mask on when you are in a public area
This is quite effective in reducing viruses or bacteria then enter the body through the respiratory channel.
21. Avoid touching your face
Touching your eyes and face increases the risk of infection, because your hands may have been contaminated with bacteria or viruses.
22. Get a nice, relaxing massage
A great massage can reduce stress, so the body will be able to strengthen its immune system.
23. Stop smoking
Cigarette smoking can deteriorate the immune system, thus making the body more prone to virus infection.
24. Gargle with warm saltwater
A study in 2005 as published on Health.com claims that people who gurgle with salt water three times a day are less likely to get infected with influenza.
25. Avoid unhealthy snacks
Avoid consuming snacks that may be unhygienic, because they may cause food poisoning or other digestive problems.
26. Avoid antibiotics
Flu is caused by viruses, so antibiotics are not the right remedy. Improper use of antibiotics will also make the bacteria resistant to them.
27. Take a day off, or more
Avoid infecting other people at school or at work by staying home and resting when you are ill.
28. Avoid Allergens
Avoid allergens like dust and smoke because they can trigger allergies that will make you sick.
29. Take time to relax
Prolonged stress can deteriorate the immune system and make us prone to influenza.
30. Take the right medicines
When you start experiencing flu symptoms, take proper medication like aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.
31. Avoid biting your nails
Other than making your nails look bad, this will increase the risk of infection from the bacteria under the nails.
32. Consume foods with high fiber
High-fiber foods can help to get a stronger immune system and protect the body from flu and digestive infections.
33. Avoid playing in the puddles
Although it may be fun, playing in the puddles will expose you to the risk of worm and skin infections.
34. Wash your feet after spending time outdoors
In addition to handwashing, you also need to wash your feet after spending time outdoors, to avoid the risk of worm infections, rashes, etc.
35. Wear footwear
Worms and fungi can get into the body through the feet, so always put your footwear on when you get out of the house.
36. Cut down on soda
The sugar contained in a can of soda, soft drinks can reduce the immune function by 30%, according to Mark Moyad, MD from the Medical Center of the University of Michigan.
37. Take an afternoon nap
When you have some free time, use it for taking an afternoon nap. It is good for the immune system to perform its best.
38. Consume green tea
Drink a cup of hot green tea. The antioxidants and vitamin C in it are good for your immune system.
39. Change your wet clothes immediately
If you get wet because of the rain, change your wet clothes immediately when you get home, to avoid hypothermia.
40. Maintain clog-free gutters
Clogged gutters can become the breeding place for germs, thus causing illnesses that are often epidemic during the rainy season, like dengue.
41. Consume honey
Add honey into a glass of orange juice or hot tea to boost the immune system. Honey is believed to have great anti-bacterial effects.
42. Cut down on salt
Commonly known for increasing the blood pressure, salty foods can cause dehydration if you eat them without consuming a lot of liquids.
43. Only drink cooked water
Only drink cooked water to protect yourselves from food poisoning.
44. Keep your feet dry
When you get wet because of the rain, wash your feet clean and dry them to avoid rashes and fungal infections.
45. Try steam therapy
If you get nose congestion due to flu or allergy, clear it by adding a few drops of cajuput oil into a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam coming from it. Aromatherapy would also help give relief.
46. Drive carefully
Inspect your vehicle. Make sure your windshield wipers are working correctly, and replace cracked or poor ones. Allow extra time. Traffic congestion is worse in bad weather. Slow Down. Don’t Tailgate. Pullover correctly. Don’t drive through flooded areas. Downed Power Lines: Stay. Don’t take pictures!
47. Training of SHLS
Try to undergo training of Swami Hardas Life System for maintaining health during monsoon, which would help secure from all possible health hazards.
Try these important tips and stay safe, well, and healthy!
Reference:
http://www.combiphar.com/en/healthy-living/45-tips-stay-healthy-rainy-season, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_season,
https://www.icicilombard.com/IL-Health-Care/wellness/Monsoon_Disease.html
This has come at a good time in Ghana. Thanks a lot for and May Almighty God bless you.
Dear Sir,
Thanks a lot for your quick response and good attitude.
My intention of writing an article about health, peace, and progress is mainly to serve people selflessly. I wish all needy should avail of the provisions made available at my site http://siddhaspirituality.com. I wish you look for many articles to come in the future.
Once again, thanks and wish you health, peace, and progress during your life.
Nivrutti Khirolkar
Siddha Spirituality For Health
Another big problem that we have in Brazil in the rainy season is with Dengue, because the reproduction of the mosquito that transmits the disease reproduces a lot at that time in an environment of non-flowing water, plant pots, unused water tank, for example.
You can read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever
Dear Mr. Philipe,
Thanks for making me conversant about the serious troubles in Brazil regarding Dengue Fever, especially during the rainy season. Based on the Wikipedia article, I would suggest some important tips in my article, which would need at least a week to publish.
Thanks once again for giving me this opportunity to serve people. Once, the article reaches you, kindly share with others too.
Thanks once again!!!
Nivrutti Khirolkar
Siddha Spirituality For Health
Superbly explained.
Useful information
Very knowledgeable contain..