Lifestyle correction for the season

Much of the credit for one's good health is the result of a well functioning immune system. It protects you from minor infections to major diseases like cancer. Environmental factors play as big a role as your genetic makeup in influencing your immunity. Another important factor that can enhance or influence your immunity is the food you consume. Foods provide you with vitamins, minerals and other compounds that improve your immune functions and help to improve your resistance to various bacterial and viral infections which are high in this particular season or in the rainy months. It is the foods that we consume that help unclog air passages and help to relieve respiratory infections. Such foods are called mucokinetic foods. Examples of these foods are hot and spicy foods, hot liquids like soups, green and herbal teas and ginger teas or plain hot water. These foods help to break up congestion, ease sinus and eliminates irritants. They also help in keeping the respiratory tract moist. This season also sees a rise in diseases like gastroenteritis and other food related problems. Poor food choices often lead to low energy to carry on vital functions and overall weakness.

Here are a few lifestyle recommendations to help you improve health as well as chase away these seasonal blues.

1. Start your day with a good breakfast. Breakfast boosts brain power, lifts our moods and triggers our metabolism. It gives you the required energy to start your day well. Include high fiber foods like oats, fruits, sprouts, dry fruits, wholegrain cereals and breads.

2. Avoid eating raw and exposed foods like salads, and chutneys and sauces as these foods are often kept at room temperature for long hours in restaurants and food stalls. Such foods provide an ideal environment for growth of bacteria and subsequent contamination.

3. Help yourself to plenty of liquids like herbal teas and green teas or ginger teas, These are helpful in clearing sinuses and gives relief to sore throats. These teas are also good sources of antioxidants.

4. Eat right. Cut back on junk foods and fried foods. Choose right snacks like fruits, dry fruits, whole wheat toasts or crackers with peanut butter. Include whole grain cereals like wheat, jowar, bajra, nachni or soya, pulses, fruits and vegetables, These foods provide you with energy, vitamins , minerals and fiber.

5. Include vitamin c rich foods like citrus fruits, berries and broccoli and green vegetables as they help protect the lungs from damage. These foods are highly recommended for smokers who are at high risk for chronic bronchitis.

6. Exercise regularly. Include moderate exercises with yoga and meditation.