How does the winter weather adversely impact our health?
Counting down the days until a brighter spring is understandable, particularly when much of the hype surrounding events like Christmas has slowly faded away and people are increasingly stressed and bored. Very few of us enjoy these cold, wet, grey days, but how does the winter weather adversely impact our health?
Coronavirus and the winter
Unfortunately, the pandemic and the winter weather are like a twisted married couple, mirroring each other in a few different ways.
Sadly, even in normal years, cold-related deaths represent the biggest weather-related source of mortality in England, with approximately 35,000 winter deaths each year in England and Wales alone. Things like poor quality housing, physical hazards in snow and ice, and spreading infectious diseases – particularly flu and norovirus – are listed by the UK Government as some of the main reasons that thousands of people regrettably pass away at this time.
Of course, we have already dramatically exceeded that average figure this year with that high death toll this winter continuing to rise on a daily basis.
It is undeniable that the cold weather and COVID-19 share a lot of common ground. As we know, both are far more likely to affect the most vulnerable in our society including the elderly, the disadvantaged, and those with mental and/or physical disabilities. All these groups are likely to have weakened immune systems and are subsequently more likely to be affected by extremely cold weather and the viruses that are more active in the winter.
It is not just during a pandemic that people should take care not to spread germs, nor should folks only champion better housing during a lockdown. These issues are resonant all the time, particularly in the average winter also. Therefore, it is vital to recognise that some COVID-19-like problems will remain long after the pandemic has subsided. We need to think how we can improve not our own personal health, but also make long-term changes that benefit the wider society.
Raising awareness and looking out for each other has certainly been more commonplace this winter and many parties are trying to live up to that sentiment.
Are you SAD?
SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a direct result of the impact of the winter weather on our health. People with SAD tend to have a low mood, feelings of despair, lacking in energy, craving carbohydrates, and gaining weight. There are various treatments available but, most importantly, obtaining as much natural sunlight as possible is essential.
Light therapy is also effective for many people struggling with the health impacts of winter weather. Light therapy is also used to treat other causes of depression.
Home comforts
For those of us who are lucky enough to have a nice warm home, hunkering down Hygge style in the cold winter evenings can be a great comfort.
However, Hygge is a mindset and while being a little bit self-indulgent can be great for our mental health, sitting around all day in the warm is not the intention! The Danes are a far hardier nation than us and they know the importance of wrapping up warm and getting out in the fresh air.
We also need to ensure fresh air indoors. Viruses thrive when people are grouped together in warm areas with no ventilation. Additionally, condensation is more of an issue in bathrooms and kitchens during the winter and damp and mould can thrive which can adversely affect our health.
Whilst, as we have already seen, the most deprived in our communities are struggling to heat their poor-quality homes, the winter weather can also create issues for those of us who are lucky enough to have warmer homes.
We should ensure our homes are well maintained. Good insultation will help keep us warm and reduce heating costs and our carbon footprint! Having our heating systems serviced annually will help prevent a break down at the most inconvenient of times, and fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can both help keep us healthy and, indeed, save lives.
Furthermore, there is a growing consensus around leaky pipes being a health risk too, so some insulation there to stop freezing and bursting is strongly advisable.
Mental wellbeing is vital in the winter, and a nice warm home makes a big difference here, especially if there is at least some garden. We might not feel in the mood for spending a great deal of time in the garden while it is still so wet and cold, but even at the very beginning of February crocuses are already beginning to peak through the earth; even a few daffodils are bravely opening their bright yellow petals to make us feel that spring is not too far away.
With all of this in mind, let’s think about the icy conditions we have been experiencing and how that affects our personal health.
The need for stability to reduce accidents
But as previously mentioned, snow and ice also present problems in people’s day-to-day winter life, being the source of many accidents both minor and major. It is an important aspect of how the winter weather impacts on our health
In addition to injuries from slips and trips, ice can potentially cause disruption to healthcare services, especially if all the major routes are layered with the slippery surfaces. We have already seen how this situation has slowed down the vaccination programme on a few occasions.
There has, quite rightly, been a great deal of praise for our keyworkers during the pandemic, with NHS workers at the top of the list but also several other groups such as funeral directors, supermarket assistants, postmen, teachers, policeman etc. These wonderful people are essential in helping to keep society working while we struggle on through a pandemic and the most disruptive wintery weathers. Interestingly, one group that we rarely think to praise is gritting contractors such as Gritting Works, who are often out in the freezing weather in the very early hours of the morning. They reduce risks on roads, cycle lanes, and hospital car parks, forecasting the weather well to provide an accurate service, and helping to keep us safe. Just like the other keyworkers we regularly honour, they do everything they can to protect people’s lives in the winter.
Ultimately, bunkering down in a warm, cosy home can work wonders for one’s personal health, but we do need to keep active and get plenty of fresh air. And last but certainly not least, although we might like to indulge in a few ‘naughty’ treats during the cold weather, ensuring we eat a healthy diet is essential to keep healthy and boost our immune systems. And did you know, for example, that you can reduce anxiety with your food choices?