Harmattan in February, How do you survive?
You probably didn’t expect it to come again this year but unfortunately, it came late in the year. Harmattan is now upon us! In some parts of Nigeria, this season is usually tough especially for cities close to the Sahara or the gulf of guinea.
These cities are in the direction of the wind so the harmattan may be quite severe in these cities. For many cities like Lagos, the harmattan is characterized by very cold temperatures in the morning and night. The weather may be very hot in the afternoons. The air is usually dusty, the humidity is quite low and this, in turn, causes your skin to get dry easily.
The dry cold weather can make you sick, so you must take the necessary steps to stay healthy during this period.
Here are some tips for staying healthy during this season;
- Moisturize regularly
As stated above, it is very normal for your skin to get dry easily during the harmattan period so you must have the necessary products in place to keep your skin moisturized at all times.
This is the period to let your lip balm and moisturizer/petroleum jelly/oil be your best friends. You must always have these things with you, either in your pocket or bag. By keeping them close you can easily apply your lip balm on your lips and moisturizer on your skin when they are getting dry.
- Stay Hydrated
It’s also very normal to feel dehydrated during this period. You get thirsty easily and so you must avoid drinking carbonated drinks and juices but rather drink at least 1.5 liters of water every day.
You can’t avoid drinking water from time to time because your body will be needing it.
- Wear clothes that keep your body warm
The weather is usually different during this period. It can be very cold at night and very hot in the afternoon. You must find a good balance between these periods. You may need to adjust your clothes during intervals. Wear warm clothes when going to bed and you can loosen up as the day heats up.
- Take Vitamin C
As much as taking vitamin c tablets would help retain saliva in your mouth, it will also help in preventing you from contracting catarrh. Catarrh is usually rampant during these periods and vitamin c can go a long way in helping you.
Generally taking vitamins would go a long way in helping against cold and any other sickness during this period.
- Avoid or reduce outdoor activities
Another way of keeping yourself healthy is to avoid going outside often especially for those that have allergies. You might want to reduce the amount of time you spend outside. When inside keep the doors closed and windows closed. Constant contact with dust, hot weather, or intense cold can be extremely detrimental to your health.
It is, therefore, necessary to plan your movements. If you must go outside you must make sure you wear a mask or use a towel especially when you are in dusty areas.
Did you enjoy this post, let us know what other tips you have in the comment section. Also, share with your friends and family.
