It is important to stay informed and equipped to ensure you breeze
through this period without health hassle especially if you’ve got
little ones to care for!!!
Here are a few tips to care for yourself and the family .
STAY HYDRATED : Water ! Water and more Water!!!!
Since harmattan comes with very dry and humid weather conditions ,
dehydration becomes the order of the day . So staying hydrated is top
priority to be able to function well..Do not replace water with any
other liquid but water only , else you will be doing your body a great
disservice..A great way to encourage kids to remain hydrated is by
feeding them fruits with high water content e.g watermelon etc.
TAKE VITAMINS SUPPLEMENTS : Harmattan comes with all
kinds of related diseases such as flu (which can destabilize children) ,
dry chesty painful coughs etc. Vitamin supplements help prevent some or
reduce the symptoms of this diseases especially vitamin C. I usually go
get some prescribed because my boys don’t do well with cold and it is
always better to prevent it than treat/ cure a full blown one!!
ADJUST YOUR WARDROBE : Wear cloth warm enough to
protect you and the kids from the cold (especially when your kids are
more susceptible to cold) . Unfortunately the weather gets super hot in
the afternoons so keep an extra top in your Nappy bag or kids bag that
they can change into when the weather gets warmer !
BALMS /MOISTURIZERS /PETROLEUM JELLY : Can’t stress
this enough or who wants to go around with dry ashy skin!! Moisturizers
ensure your skin retain its water . They also make the outer skin super
soft . Mixed with Vaseline , your skin will be soft to touch and extreme
drought and skin cracks will be prevented. Balms create that warm
effect attributable to the menthol in most of them.
PROTECTIVE STYLING : Hairstyles that keep your ends
hidden are the most appropriate this season (especially if you carry or
have little girls with kinky 4c natural hair like me ) or alternatively
wrap your hair to protect it from dust. Moisturize hair generously to
ensure your hair doesn’t dry out totally and starts to break..
AVOID DUSTY ENVIRONMENT : Reduce exposure to dusty
areas especially if you are asthmatic or have other respiratory
conditions that can be irritated by dust.Cover your nose , close doors
if you can just to minimize your contact with the dust directly !!!Wash
curtains , wipe windows , fans with wet rags and service air
conditioners as they tend to trap a lot of dust too.
BE FIRE CONSCIOUS: Keep your house warm but remember
harmattan is the season with most fire incidents because everything is
dry and flammable!! Do not leave fire in whatever shape or form
unattended at any time to avoid fire outbreak and indescribable damage
to properties and lives.
