This cold is upon us and it is time to bring out all the warm clothes, from your warm and cozy blankets to the fuzzy winter sweater! But not only is it time to layer up but it brings a plethora of problems for some people. From seasonal allergies to dry skin, there are a lot of problems that winter comes with, with some people unable to tolerate the colder weather.
Winter can be harsh and despite what you’ve been told about the gloom winter delivers, there is some research which shows that cold weather can actually be really good for your health. you might get some health benefits during the colder months.
1) Alleviates Allergies
If you have outdoor allergies, then colder weather is good news for you because the pollen count is almost zero during this time of the year. But if you have indoor allergies, then you should be more careful. Mold and dust mite allergies can get worse during the winter, especially if you are spending more time indoors!
2) Lowers Inflammation
Another well-known benefit of exposure to cold temperatures is decreasing inflammation. Whenever we hurt our body, we are told to use ice packs to relieve the pain and that's what happens during the cold too! Your joints feel less swollen or puffy in winter because the cold air acts like a natural ice pack and decrease inflammation.
3) Fights Infection
You might catch a cold easily during the winter, but according to a study, your immune system adapts to cold environments and its ability to fight off infection gets stronger.
During the winter, there are no mosquitoes so you're in the clear for mosquito-borne diseases and viruses that are more prevalent in warmer temps. That said, the dry and cold air increases your chances of getting flu, so it's better to get your annual flu shot and wash your hands frequently to reduce that risk.
4) Burn More Calories
The core temperature of your body is typically around 37°C. When it's cold outside, your body works harder to maintain your core temp as the discrepancy between your ideal body temperature and the outside temperature is more. So, our bodies use a significant amount of energy to keep us warm when we are out in the cold.
Apparently, just 15 minutes spent shivering in a cold environment has the same effect as exercising for an hour. But proper dieting and exercising is a must to keep your body healthy.
5) Better Sleep
Research suggests that your body’s core temperature drops when you’re trying to sleep. This process can take up to two hours in the summer, but it’s much faster in winter as the temperature is already cold. Plus, winter days are shorter with darker mornings, so you can naturally sleep in later and better. And disrupted sleep can lead to several health problems which is not an issue in the Winter season.
Studies show that the ideal temperature in our bedrooms for better sleep should be somewhere between 15.5 to 19°C.
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