With the beauty of monsoon comes an onset of seasonal diseases. From viral fever to water and foodborne illnesses, monsoon can be harsh on your health if precautions are not taken seriously.

It's not hard to stay healthy during the monsoon months, but it does take conscience, regularity, and a little thought about your ways. Here's how you can best take advantage of the monsoon magic and stay in peak physical and mental condition.

Eat Fresh, Stay Safe

This is when food and water become most contaminated, and therefore there is an increase in gastrointestinal infections, food poisoning, and digestive disorders. Avoid raw street food, chopped fruits from roadside vendors, and anything left for hours. Have warm, home food that is eaten hot. Soups, steamed vegetables, and freshly cooked dals not only make your gut happy but also boost your immunity.

Leafy greens are otherwise okay to consume, but during the monsoon season, they have more insects and soil pathogens. If you add them, at least wash and cook them thoroughly. Bananas, apples, and oranges are safer as they have peels covering them.

Drink Wisely

Clean water is essential during the monsoon. The majority of the illnesses during this period are due to drinking unclean water, especially where there is flooding or stagnant water. Make it a habit to drink boiled or filtered water, even in home. If you are going out, carry your water bottle so that you do not end up using strange sources. Do not drink chilled drinks or ice from unfiltered water because they are likely to be carriers of pathogenic bacteria.

Boost Your Immunity

Monsoon is when immunity is low for everyone, especially due to the sudden decline in temperature and humidity. A balanced diet with antioxidants, vitamin C, and zinc will also boost your immunity. Incorporating spices such as turmeric, black pepper, ginger, and garlic in your food can also fight infection. These spices have natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds that make them perfect for monsoon cooking.

Tulsi teas, ginger teas, and cinnamon teas are soothing and shielding as well. They heat you up, but soothe digestion and breathing as well. Having plenty of warm fluids to stay well-hydrated is another simple and effective means to stay healthy.

Protect Your Skin

Fungal infections of the skin, especially, are very prevalent during rainy weather due to wet clothes, wetness, and sweat. In case you get wet when you go out in the rain, you must change your clothes at once. Take special care of places like the feet, armpits, and between the toes, as they are prone to rashes and fungal infections.

Use mild medicated powder or antifungal powder to avoid infection if you have to wear shoes for a long time. Open shoes are always preferable, but if shoes get wet, dry them out completely before wearing them again.

Stay active indoors

Monsoon can disrupt your outdoor morning walks or runs, but that should not stop you from being active. Light yoga, stretching, or home workouts can keep you flexible and your immune system strong. Sitting down for long hours makes you sleepy and results in a slower metabolism, something you would not wish to have in a season that is already famous for low energy.

Make an attempt to change positions at least once an hour, even if you're indoors or at home during the day. Exercise also puts you in a good mood and prevents monsoon blues.

Safeguard Against Mosquitoes

Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya experience an exponential increase during rainy weather. The collection of water in coolers, pots, and open containers is a breeding site. Keep your environment clean and dry, and ensure no water is allowed to stagnate for over a day. Use mosquito nets or repellents, particularly at dusk, and cover arms and legs with clothing if you are out in the evening.

Take care of your mental health

Grey skies, shorter days, and spending more time indoors than you normally do can affect your mental well-being. Others might get sluggish, feel tired, or even get seasonal low moods. In order to fight against this, make your home a warm and sunny one. Sitting in front of a window with a cup of tea, listening to music, reading, or writing in a journal can help your mood.

Being socially engaged—through phone calls, texts, or meetups when you can—can also boost your mood and drive away loneliness that rainy days sometimes create.

Maintain Your Setting Clean

With water seeping through walls, furniture, and upholstery, your house can turn into a bacteria, fungi, and mold breeding ground in minutes. Open your rooms whenever the sun shines. Clean your floors often, and dry out mats, curtains, and bed linens that can hold moisture. Following basic hygiene like washing hands before eating, bathing when you get wet, and changing your clothes all at once if you get wet can do a lot to keep your health secure. Final Thoughts The monsoon season is one of beauty, romance, and rejuvenation—but also one that requires vigilance and caution. With caution in what you consume and drink, what you wear, and how you keep your surroundings in a clean condition, you can partake in all that the rains have to offer without getting sick. A bit of prevention, a bit of preparation, and lots of self-care is all it takes to remain healthy this monsoon.