While everyone deals with cold weather in their own way, it’s important to remember one thing: the change in temperature can affect your body.
When you prepare in advance, you’ll find it easier to manage these changes, all with your health and well-being in mind.
Here are some of the many ways your body may be vulnerable to cold weather in the months to come:
• Immune system: The more time you spend inside with others, the greater chance you have of contracting an ailment. When possible, avoid close contact and make sure you always wash your hands.
• Heart: Cold weather is a vasoconstrictor, which raises the risk of heart problems, such as a heart attack. Make sure you always dress warm and take special precautions when partaking in strenuous activity.
• Skin: Dry winter air can wreak havoc on your skin. As your skin loses moisture, it becomes dried out and itchy. Protect against this by using a humidifier in your home and taking cooler showers. And of course, a natural moisturizer can help.
With the above in mind, you should have a better idea of how cold weather affects your body. And that will allow you to protect yourself over the next handful of months.
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.