Many of us blame the weather when we fall sick- maybe it’s suddenly too hot, too cold, or raining non-stop! And while we’re not entirely wrong (climate change does affect us), the weather is something we can’t control. What we can do is understand what’s really happening and ensure we aren’t a victim to it.

As a mother, I know the worry that comes with the first sneeze, cough, fever, tummy ache, or rash. But here’s an important reminder: we live in a bug’s world! Every surface around us has tiny germs, like bacteria and fungi, most are harmless, but they tend thrive when the weather changes. New germs also grow during these changes, which means our immune system has to work a little harder to build new antibodies.

Why We Fall Sick During Weather Changes

Our body has its own “internal environment”, which include our blood, fluids in our gut, saliva, and our lymphatic system. All these systems work together to keep us healthy. When the weather changes suddenly, our body has to adjust. If we’re tired, stressed, or not eating well, this adjustment can become harder, and that’s when we may catch a cold, cough, or fever.

But here’s an important truth:
Falling sick doesn’t mean your immune system is weak. It usually means it’s doing its job.

When you develop a fever, or your nose starts running, that’s not your body “failing”; it’s your immune system switching on to clear out viruses or irritants. Think of it as your body doing a seasonal clean-up so you can start fresh.

Some children (and adults) get sick more easily during weather changes simply because their bodies are already juggling a lot- poor sleep, high stress, dehydration, or not enough nourishing foods. And for children, their immune system is still developing, which means they are prone to get sick more often than adults. The body uses symptoms like a cold or loose motions to reset and clear out anything it doesn’t need.

The way we soothe ourselves often comes from what we remember from childhood- the foods we ate, the comfort we received, and what helped us feel better. We therefore do the same with our kids, but it’s also important to remember:

• Foods like milk, biscuits, bread, and packaged snacks may be more processed or adulterated today than they were years ago.
• Many families now live in different countries, so the local bacteria, allergens, and even weather patterns are different.

So, while comfort habits matter, our bodies may need updated care based on today’s environment.

What Actually Helps the Body Heal?

Our body is wonderfully designed with built-in protection aka immune system.
One of its biggest jobs is to notice what’s coming into the body and respond when something isn’t right.

During illness, here’s what the body doesn’t want:

• Greasy or processed foods
• Foods high in refined sugars
• Late nights
• Too much activity

 

Why?
Because digestion takes energy. When the immune system is active, the body needs to use that energy to fight viruses and heal. The foods listed above are, “denatured”; the further a food is from its natural state, the harder it is on the digestive system and liver, overloading the body and hampering the healing and recovery process.

Foods That Support Healing

Instead of “loading the digestive system,” we need to provide the body with foods that help it clean and recover smoothly. It doesn’t want anything acidic, denatured, refined or sticky. It wants foods that will absorb the acids and waste, while cleaning.

Ensure you offer things the child enjoys eating; when we force feed them (or ourselves) foods we don’t like it triggers the sensory nervous system, making that healthy food less effective. In an over stimulated body, we need to keep any and all stress minimum.

When the body gets what it needs, it can clear out the internal environment, reduce inflammation, and bounce back faster.

Here’s what works well:

• Fruits with high water content: your “cleaning crew”- they are easy to digest, rich in vitamins, fibre and glucose, giving your body the much-required energy, without the crash (like most sweet foods do)
• Raw or lightly steamed vegetables: they are gentle, hydrating, and nutrient-rich. They keep us full without overloading the body.
• Reduce grains: they take 2-4 hours to digest so go easy, and ensure it’s teamed with enough vegetables. You can try alternatives like moong daal chillas (they are grain free)
• Stay Hydrated: the body is depleted so load up on coconut water, add some sweet basil seeds (sabza) to your water, include a soup, and drink some veggie juice for the win!
• Rest! Rest! Rest! The only time the body truly heals is when we rest/sleep. Stay in bed longer, skip the after-school activities, and stay warm
• Gentle stretches and deep breathing: the body needs more oxygen to heal- open the chest through gentle stretches, or lie down with a pillow under your back and take 30 deep breathes (do this with your child if they are old enough).

The Bottom Line

Getting sick during weather changes is normal, especially for children whose immune systems are still learning. Symptoms like a runny nose, fever, or tummy trouble are not failures but signs that the body is resetting and protecting itself. It’s an alert system, not an emergency.

By supporting the body with rest, hydration, gentle foods, and patience, we help it do what it’s naturally built to do: keep us healthy.