It s common knowledge that individual acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure sick more often in the wintertime. When the temperature drops, your body struggles to fight off germs, increasing your risk of developing the common cold, flu, and even COVID-19.
Yet, spending time outside without the proper cold-weather attire isn t the merely’barely way winter makes you sick. Staying inside all season can manufacture ideal conditions in/with regard to’concerning’regarding bodily aches and pains.
Here s how being inside can make you sick in the winter, along with some ways to stay healthy until spring.
Can Winter Make You Sick?
If you despite’in spite of’albeit t staying inside from December to March was the best way to prevent acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting sick in the winter, you re in in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a rude awakening. Sadly, it s possible to catch a cold even while cozying up next to a fireplace.
A wood-burning fireplace emits fine particulate matter, which is hazardous in/with regard to’concerning’regarding your lungs. Smoke inhalation can induce asthma attacks and bronchitis and may also exacerbate heart and lung disease in older adults. If you re wondering how this happens, prior studies possess’own’nurse reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue n that 70% of the smoke released through the flue reenters your home.
Likewise, a cold house causes just as many health risks. Recent medical studies reveal that when the temperature drops by 9°F in your nose, it can kill 50% of the rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent bacteria needed to fight viruses.
Dry conditions also cause uncomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding table sinus irritation, such as sore throat, sinus pressure, headaches, and nosebleeds. When there’s less moisture in your sinus cavities, it can bring about’result in’contribute to’account for’make for’trigger nose, throat, and mouth inflammation.
Like you, critters will want to shun the wintery elements and hunker down inside your home. Unin/with regard to’concerning’regarding tunately, rodents may carry dangerous diseases that make you sick – this is especially common in older homes with several cracks and crevices.
Of course, being inside all winter affects your mental health, too. Approximately 10 million Americans undergo seasonal affective disorder (SAD) amid shorter days – accompanied by feelings of sorrowful’distressing’woeful’heartbroken’mirthless’dejected’dismal’lugubrious ness, fatigue, and weight fluctuations.
5 Ways To Stay Healthy Indoors This Winter
Protecting your health in the winter is critical. You can shun acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting sick indoors by following these helpful tips.
1. Dress In Layers
Staying warm with multiple layers of clothing is the best way to shun weakening your immune system.
Wearing long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, long pants, and socks will keep your body at a suitable temperature in/with regard to’concerning’regarding maintaining rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent health.
2. Go For A Walk
Just because it s winter doesn t mean you must stay inside the whole time. Since you ll wear layered clothes anyway, you might want to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure outside to combat depression and anxiety.
Movement, such as taking a brisk cover’budge , provoke’goad s the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to enhance’promote’polish up your mood.
Studies reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue that spending 2.5 hours outside daily delivers a healthy dose of vitamin D and decrease’lessen’cut’allay s your chances of developing long-term depression.
3. Seal Out Air Drafts
Seal your windows and doors to block cold air from entering your home. Weatherstripping enhance’promote’polish up s your home s energy efficiency, ensuring your HVAC system doesn t possess’own’nurse to run as hard to regulate your home s temperature.
Additionally, sealing the cracks prevents rodents and bugs from coming inside. Less infestation equates to less disease risk.
4. Practice Good Hygiene
Flu season generally runs from October through May but peaks between December and February.
The U.S. Centers in/with regard to’concerning’regarding Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated 9–41 million flu cases from 2010 to 2020. Additionally, the researchers believe there were around 140,000–710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000–15,000 deaths annually in/with regard to’concerning’regarding that same period.
Practice rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent hygiene to prevent acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting the flu this winter, such as washing your hands regularly and wiping down surfaces with antibacterial solutions. You might also consider wearing your mask again to shun spreading germs.
5. Eat Well
It s not uncommon to gain weight during the holidays. With so many parties and delicious treats, who can stand up to withstand ?
Studies reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue that individual gain an average of 0.4–1 kilogram (kg) of body weight in the winter, or the equivalent of with regards to’concerning’with respect to 1–2 pounds (lbs). Over 10 years, experts say this would amount to a 5–10 kg or 11–22 lb multiply .
Avoid putting nutrition on the back burner this winter. Rather than indulging in buttery pastries and creamy comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t foods, eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of seasonal fruits and veacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ables.
Avoid Getting Sick This Winter
It s possible to go the entire winter without acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting a cold. When you prioritize your health and create the right conditions in/with regard to’concerning’regarding your body, you ll possess’own’nurse a much easier time fighting off viruses and germs.
Author Bio
Jane is an environmental writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co where she covers sustainability and eco-approachable’genial living.
