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The weather impacts your life in many ways, from dictating what is appropriate to wear to whether you need an umbrella. It can also significantly affect your health, from your mood to how much energy you have and how well your body functions. While you probably already know that extreme cold or super-hot days are dangerous, more subtle changes like changing humidity, daylight, or seasons can also affect you. Below are seven surprising ways the weather can affect your health and suggestions for how to protect yourself.
1. Cold Weather Increases Stress On the Heart
Cold periods make you shiver, but did you know they can also negatively affect your heart? The frigid weather causes blood vessels to narrow, raising blood pressure and putting extra stress on the heart. That increases the risks of heart attacks and strokes, especially for people who already have heart problems. So, wearing warm layers of clothing when heading outdoors into the cold makes sense, and avoiding doing too much, like heavy shoveling or tough outdoor activities. Also, limit how long you’re out in minus temperatures.
2. Dry Air Irritates the Skin and Lungs
With winter comes really dry air, and you may notice your body reacting negatively to it. The dryness can aggravate the respiratory system, worsen allergies, trigger asthma attacks, and dry out the skin. What’s happening is that the lack of moisture in the air is stressing your body out. You may also notice that your lips are chapped. Flaky skin and a sore throat can be signs your body is struggling with the lack of humidity around you, and it could be time to use a humidifier to feel and breathe more comfortably. Drinking plenty of water also helps, as does using skin cream.
3. Heat and High Humidity are Hard on the Body
When the air feels humid, especially in the hot summer, your body can find it harder than usual to cool down. That increases the chances of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. And that’s not all. Heat can worsen air quality, especially if there is pollution or smoke from wildfires, increasing lung and heat-related issues. Drinking enough water in this type of weather is a must, as is avoiding highly polluted or smoky environments. Plus, avoid pushing yourself physically when the weather is hot or very humid.
4. Changes in Air Pressure Affect Your Ears
When barometric (air) pressure shifts in a short time, such as before a storm or when seasons change, it can affect your ears in a similar way to what you experience on an airplane. This change in the air can lead to ear “popping,” feeling like the ears are “full,” and short-term hearing problems. If you have sensitive ears or already have an ear condition, you may find these conditions worsen when the weather changes quickly. To help open the Eustachian tubes so your ears can equalize pressure, try sipping water, yawning, or swallowing a lot. If you’re congested, a heat pack over the nose and cheeks can help reduce the swelling.
5. Cold, Windy Days Impact Hearing Aids
Weather can also affect how well hearing aids (and ears generally) work, more so than many people realize. Seasonal shifts, temperature, and wind are examples of weather conditions that lower comfort, sound quality, and the device’s lifespan. Hearing aids depend on the ear canal being healthy and stable, but cold weather can dry out the canal, creating discomfort and increasing your chances of getting an ear infection. Plus, windy fall weather distorts noise, making speech harder to follow. If you use hearing aids, you may need to adjust your routine seasonally to prevent damage and for the best hearing quality. Understanding the connection between autumn weather and hearing aid use can keep the devices performing their best.
6. Seasons Affect Mood and Energy
In fall and winter, the days are shorter, and there is less sunlight, which can lower mood and how much energy you feel you have. The condition Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) impacts about 10 million Americans, although many do not know they have it. You may find hobbies that once interested you no longer do, or that you have difficulty thinking. Maybe you get too much sleep, yet still feel tired all the time. You may feel overall unmotivated. If this sounds familiar, try getting outside more in the darker months to boost serotonin and make the effort to stay social to prevent loneliness. See a professional if your low mood begins to interfere with daily life.
7. Weather Shifts Can Lead to Achy Joints and Muscles
You’re not alone if you have joint pain or aching muscles when the weather changes. These sensitivities happen to many people; changing air pressure and temperature drops seem to inflame the body, and arthritis or chronic pain can flare up. It can help to keep track of how your body responds to different weather conditions so you can be prepared for what may come. Stretching can be helpful, too, being sure not to overdo it, and try to stay at a healthy weight to reduce strain on your joints. Take care to rest when the weather conditions you’re sensitive to arise. Speaking with a healthcare provider about supplements and treatments right for you can improve comfort, as well.
Conclusion
The weather affects what you wear and when you go outside, but it also affects a lot more than that. It can impact your ears, joints, and mental health, among other parts of the body. Fluctuating temperature, humidity, pressure, and seasons can all affect your health, often in surprising ways.
By understanding these effects, you can take steps to protect yourself. For example, staying hydrated, changing the environment you’re in, and caring for your hearing and skin can be helpful. Overall, you are listening to how your body reacts to the changing weather and managing your well-being. That enables you to take more control of how you feel, reducing discomfort, preventing flare-ups, and keeping your energy levels up.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.