Tips to Help You Stay Healthy This Harmattan Season

2018-12-10T18:26:47+00:00

By Virtue Digest

As we all know that during harmattan, the air can get extremely chilled and dry leading to dry. parched skin and broken lips, I’m a witness to this because I experience it a lot. Cough and catarrh are also usually prevalent due to the dry dirty air inhaled from the surroundings.In addition, the weather makes people susceptible to cold and although the body has adaptive mechanisms that help reduce the effects of cold, it is only wise, we should take care of ourselves in order to prevent infections and keep warm. So, let’s check out some tips to preserve our health this harmattan season:

Drink honey and lemon dissolved in warm water

This will help to soothe the dry irritated areas of the throat and give you the comfort you need. As you should know, honey is a natural remedy for a sore throat and cough. It can also be used by spreading it on a snack or putting in tea/coffee, according to your preference. It is definitely an effective relief for cold and cough.

Take enough water

Water! I don’t joke with water. It is advisable to increase fluid intake at this time to reduce dehydration caused by extreme dryness of the air. Simply ensure you have a bottle of water with you at all times to increase the motility of mucus. Warm drinks like tea or coffee will help provide you with warmth to fight cold.

Eat fruits and veggies

These are good sources of vitamins and minerals. They contain a high water content which helps to reduce dehydration caused by the dry air. The fruit also helps fight infections and build immunity against a chronic cough and other infections associated with common cold.

Wear the right clothes

Wearing the right clothes this season will help to prevent common cold and cough. Thick and heat-absorbable clothes keep heat released from the body trapped inside and limit radiation of heat to the surroundings. Hand gloves and well-covered shoes also provide enough warmth that you need.

Skin care

People usually develop cracked lips and skin during this harmattan period. Good body moisturizers can be used to prevent dryness of the skin. They are easily absorbable and increase the hydration of the skin, and the home-made moisturizers are:Olive oil: This contains many fatty acids and healthy fat that are good for your skin. You can apply this to the skin after taking your bath to reduce skin dryness.Creams with milk content: These are excellent moisturizers as they help to exfoliate dry skin and give room for the rejuvenation of new skin cells to replace worn ones.Coconut oil: You can apply coconut oil to your skin after taking your bath. It is absorbable and makes your skin smooth and soft.Foods like beans, carrots, tomatoes and peas with anti-oxidants and omega3 fatty acids e.g. salmon help to repair damaged cells and contribute to a glowing skinFor dried lips, Vaseline and balms are good to prevent breaking lips if used regularly.