Winter is not a season that everyone enjoys due to the freezing temperatures, and because it makes people feel ill. Winter has many benefits, despite the negative health effects. Ever wondered what the benefits of cold weather are for your health? What are they? Grab a hot cup of coffee and read this blog. This blog presents ten surprising health benefits that cold weather can bring.
1. Get Goodnight Sleep
Winter will be easier to wake up in the morning as the temperatures drop. This can be good for preventing insomnia, and improving sleep quality. According to the National Sleep Foundation, it is more natural to sleep for long periods of time in cold weather. Sleep is usually regulated by an internal body clock called the “circadian cycle.” Our body temperature drops and fluctuates when we are trying to sleep. This process can take up to two hours in summer and only a few minutes in winter. The darkness and daylight play an important role in the regulation of melatonin. Darkness can cause the brain to produce more melatonin, which is why you will sleep better.
2. Reduce Your Weight
The human body consumes more energy in winter to produce heat. The body burns calories even without exercise, which increases metabolism. You will still lose weight even though the breakdown of calories is not visible. Burning calories by increasing brown fat is also an option. In our body, there are three different types of fat cell: white, beige, and brown. Some fats can be harmful, but others are essential and helpful. Brown fat is one type of fat that helps burn fatty acid. Our body increases brown fat during the winter.
3. Reduce Your Pain and Inflammation
Winter can be painful for people with arthritis or knee pain. However, exercising in cold weather can help reduce inflammation and stiffness. This is similar to placing an icepack on the inflammation. According to a study, athletes who are exposed to cold temperatures recover more quickly from injuries.
4. Get Glowing Skin
Lack of moisture and a drop in humidity can cause your skin to look dull, flaky, and dry. Winter is not as bad for our skin. You can improve your complexion with a few interesting facts. Colder temperatures can reduce acne by reducing clogged pores, and controlling oil production. Cold weather promotes blood circulation, which reduces puffiness, redness and inflammation around the eyes. Following a winter skincare regimen that includes washing your face in cold water will help you maintain a tight, youthful skin.
Many people experience frosty weather and feel blue. Our brains are more susceptible to seasonal changes. Recent research shows that lower temperatures can increase happiness and reduce anxiety. It is because your body releases endorphins, which are happy hormones, when it works to create warmth in cold weather. The winter blues are lessened by having more endorphins.
6. How to Prevent Mosquito-Borne Diseases
All insects are cold-blooded, including mosquitoes. They disappear in winter because they hibernate and have eggs that are winter-resistant. The dormant insects prevent you from contracting diseases like dengue, the zika virus or malaria.
7. Start Your Heart
To maintain a winter healthy body temperature, the heart has to work harder in cold weather. This is because the blood vessels become constricted during the winter and it becomes difficult to pump the blood to the vital organs. This can sometimes strain your heart muscle, but it will also strengthen them. Your heart health will be improved by working outdoors in the winter.
8. Boost Your Immune System
Cold exposure and the immune systems are not well understood. The cold directly suppresses our immune system. We become sicker and more susceptible. The cold may also have a positive cascade effect on preventing infection by activating white blood cells to prepare them for fighting infections.
9. Quit From Allergies
Winter is a time when allergies are more likely to be triggered by the freezing temperatures. Pollen grains, animal furs and pollution can cause allergies in the air or outdoors. Pollen grains are small seeds that are dispersed by flowering plants, grasses, trees and weeds. If you suffer from airborne allergies, winter may be a good time to avoid them. Pollen and pollutants are at their lowest levels during this season. Dust and mites should be avoided if you suffer from indoor allergies.
10. Being Brainiac
Many of us suspect that mood changes and brain fog are due to the short days and cold temperatures. But science is a continuous process. Recent studies have shown that winter improves the brain’s performance. Winter allows your brain to enter an eco-friendly mode, allowing you to improve cognitive function and think better.