EVERY THING YOU NEED TO WINTER: Here are some Symptoms;

Cold winter season can bring several changes to your body and surroundings affecting your mood, health, and well-being. Commonly known “symptoms” or effects can be described as:

Physical Symptoms

1.Dry skin and lips:

• Cold air carrying less moisture can dry your skin, which causes flaking and cracking. However, the most commonly known symptom is chapped lips.

2.Seasonal ailments:

• Colds, flu, and respiratory infections might be two to three times higher than that of the summer season, such as time spent indoors among large family gatherings or in winter public spaces.

3.Fatigue or excessive sleepiness:

• Shorter days and longer nights can increase feelings of tiredness, thus disrupting your sleep-wake cycle.

4.Stiffness of joints and muscles:

• Cold temperatures make it hard for the joints and muscles to perform satisfactorily, especially in arthritic persons or with people showing such chronic symptoms.

5.Chilblains:

• Itchy, red, or swollen skin caused primarily on the extremities like fingers and toes when exposed to cold.

6.Cold injuries:

• In extreme cold, these may cause frostbite or hypothermia if not properly treated.

Emotional and mental health symptoms

1.Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):

• A variety of depression brought on specifically by decreased sunlight that leads to feelings of sadness, lethargy, and loss of interest in activities.

2.Irritable or moody person:

• The little light and being caged inside can turn one restless or irritable.

Behavior and lifestyle symptoms

1.Cravings for comfort food:

• People often start pushing throughout the winter months for carbohydrates and sugar, thus pushing the toll number of an average person’s carbohydrate or sugar intake upwards in weight gain.

2.Less physical activity:

• Cold weather and needs for shorter days will reduce not only the activity outdoors, but the actual exercise regimes.

3.Deficiency of vitamin D:

• With less sunlight, getting the desired vitamin D levels would be expected for bone health and mood.

To Counter the Adverse Effects

• Be Well-Hydrated and Moisturized: Use creams and synthetic moisturizing agents and drink plentiful amounts of water.
• Wear Warm Layers: Don loose and somewhat insulated clothing.
• Keep Active: Indoor games and exercises could keep you active.
• Boost Immunity: Eat those vitamin-rich foods. You may think of boosting your immune system with vitamin D supplements.
• Light Therapy: Brighter light therapy for fighting seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
• Cover Extremities: Use gloves, scarves, or hats to avoid frostbite and other disorders such as chilblains.

See your physician if you experience very severe or prolonged symptoms during winter.