In our previous Gist, the bird x-rayed the basis of harmattan, what it is and what you should expect as it aproach.
For some of us harmattan is really not a season to wait for. If it is possible we pray it vanished forever, but unfortunately it has come to stay especially here in West Africa.
It is a sad reality, therefore we must learn to cope with the hassle and live healthy during the harmattan.
This involves simple life style adjustment that will help us not only beat the harsh weather but live all through it as though they never existed.
Thankfully, the Bird has got the following simple tip to help you overcome the challenges of harmattan and associated hassles that come with harsh weather.
- Protect your mouth, nose & Eye
- Put on Nose mask to cover your nose and mouth when outside
- Drink water often to stay hydrated.
- Take more of warm water than cold water
- Feed healthy
- Eats more of fruit and vegetables
- Always put on suitable wears
- Keep your skin Moisturized
- Do Honey and cut lemons therapy
- Avoid steady outdoor exposure
- Seek medical help when necessarily
Ensure to protect your mouth, nose, eye most especially when you are outdoor.
This will protect you from inhalation of harmful dust particles associated with harmattan wind. In addition, you can wear glasses to protect your eyes from dust particles, which causes redness and itchy eyes
much water intake will helps you keep you fresh and protect you from dehydration Wich is common during the harmattan due to excessive dryness of the air.
Most disease causing viruses such as that of common cold and flue tend to thrives more in cold environments. warm water will help you stay warm while making your body uninhibitable for cold viruses. Taking warm liquids such as tea or coffee will also help you fight off cold.
Eating healthy foods reach will boost your immunity and protect against harmattan related sickness like cold and flue.
Fruits and vegetables contain vital vitamins and minerals which aids in the battle against infections. They also provide resistance against a chronic cough and other illnesses linked to the common cold. Fruits also contain much water to keep you hydrated.
Heat-absorbent clothing that will not make you easily catch a cold or develop dry skin is most suitable during harmattan. Such clothes are designed to traps heat from the body and limits heat emission to the environment. You may also wear hand gloves, socks and well-covered footwear to protect you hand and foots as well to keep maximum warmth.
Use moisturizers to keep fresh as well as protect your skin, lips, palms and foot from dryness and cracking which is often experience during harmattan.
olive oil and shea butter have been found most effective for the purpose.This is because Olive oils are high in healthy fatty acids which helps to control dryness while shea butter act as an emollient which help to soften your skin keep you hydrated.
You can also use lip balm to prevent cracked lips
Taking honey and cut lemons in warm water works wonders. This recipe is perfect for dry and irritating parts of your throat. It provids quick relief for the fact that honey is nature’s remedy for cough and sore throat. You can also smear honey on a snack or added to tea or coffee, depending on your preferences.
If possible stay indoors to avoid dust inhalation of harmful particles coming with harmattan wind. Avoiding or reducing outdoor activities will help you alot during harmattan especially if you have allergies. While indoor also, alwayskeep the doors and windows closed.
As have stated above, harmattan comes with several health challenges ranging from
asthmatic attacks, sneezing, coughing, hay fever, eye irritation, nassal congestion, inflammation of the airway and lots of mild to severe allergic reactions. Therefore, visit the hospital when you experience serious symptoms during the harmattan.
