Coping with Change of Seasons in the Desert

The long awaited winter is upon us and so is the season of colds, coughs and all kind of seasonal disorders. Staying healthy during this transition in our desert climate is quite a challenge as there is higher risk of getting sick with the drop in temperature. How do we get through this change in seasons without falling ill?

Here are a few tips to help you cope with the change in seasons:

1.Stay Hydrated

There is notably less moisture in the air during the months from October to February. Make sure you are well hydrated and drink plenty of water to stay healthy. This can help you prevent cracked lips and skin and flush the toxins from your body. It is recommended that you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

2. Eat Plant of Fruits and Vegetables to Boost your immune system

Our immune system can get a shot in the arm from the various vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that are available in fruits and vegetables. Make sure that you get your five a day and take in plenty of vitamin C in the form of oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, cabbage to keep those irritating colds at bay.
3. Stay Committed to Exercise.
If you have the habit of a daily walk or jog, don’t let the weather deter. In fact after experiencing temperatures close to the 50 degrees in the summer the weather in the evening is a welcome relief. Stick to your exercise routine to keep your body active and healthy and your mood up.

4. Wear Appropriate Clothing
If you are planning to go out in the evening, it might be a good idea to wear layers. Though it might be warm enough when you leave home, it can get to be very cold later on in the evening. It might be a good idea to take along long pants and sweaters and layer up.

5. Get a Humidifier and Keep tabs on the AC settings:
Getting a humidifier can make a significant difference to maintaining your health in the winter. Humidifier puts moisture back into the air and reduce the ability of airborne viruses to cause flu and reduce the risk of sinus infection. We are used to keeping the airconditioners on at very low temperatures to keep homes cool in the summer. In the winter, with the temperatures dropping outside, you might not even need the airconditioning.