I went to the market a few days to the end of November to buy a cardigan, shea butter, lip gloss and thick socks just so I would be prepared for the harmattan that comes with the dry season, but December came with a shocker.
Instead of the usual cold days that signifies the arrival of the last month of the year, the heat got turned up, and I had to change plans.
In this part of the world, there are only two seasons, the dry and the rainy season, and in the dry season, we have the harmattan that always come with extreme cold and dryness that I always looked forward to, but this year, harmattan is yet to show its face.
My plan for the season, however, goes beyond clothes, and my body demonstrated that a few days ago because the heat dealt with me in a way I didn’t expect. Prior to now, I was always more concerned about my outfits for the season, so, I just switched back to the light textured clothings I have, but what I didn’t prepare for is the part of the food I eat.
Two days ago, I ate beans with fried plantain at around 7:30pm and it seemed early enough for me to eat dinner as a late eater that I used to be, but that one meal troubled my stomach for two days at a stretch. The heat and the food were met with a reaction in my stomach that I had to use the loo multiple times. At first, I thought it was food poisoning, but I confirmed it wasn’t.
Today, after recovering properly from the reaction, I have noted some shifts I have to make in my routine for the season, and that includes watching out for the food I eat and to eat dinner earlier than 6:00pm.
Now, I have realized that more fruits will favour my body much more than ever, and I should stop eating hot food also. The temperature of the food I eat is strictly monitored now because I honestly do not want to return to the state I was two days ago.
Hydration was one of the medications I used, so, I have decided to keep that in check also. I drink a lot of water prior to now, but right now, it is very important for my body, and chilled water is the best for me now because it was part of what I used to regulate my stomach when it was reacting to the heat.
I usually do not go out except it is important, but right now is the time I need to take that seriously to avoid having to dress up all the time. At home, I can wear comfortable outfits that would allow my body to feel the natural breeze, feel more relaxed, reduce sweating, and use the shower as many times as I need to.
This season is not what it used to be, and I so wish that the cold part of it that I usually looked forward to comes soon too. With the cold, I won’t have to be so cautious of many things like I am doing now for this heat period.
Images are mine.