There is a well-known increase in illness rates throughout the winter months. You're more likely to catch a cold or flu when the temperature decreases because your body has a harder time fighting off infections.
However, being unprepared for the cold weather isn't the only way that winter may make you sick. As the weather outside gets worse, being indoors might make your aches and pains worse. Learn how being indoors all winter can compromise your immune system and what you can do to hold off on becoming ill until spring.
A lack of heat in the home poses similar dangers to one's health. Recent scientific research shows that a dip of only 9 degrees Fahrenheit in the nose can destroy half of the beneficial bacteria needed to combat infections.
Sinus discomfort from dry air can also lead to a sore throat, pressure in the sinuses, headaches, and even nosebleeds. Inflammation of the nasal passages, throat, and mouth can occur when there is not enough moisture in the sinus cavities.
Animals will seek shelter from the cold outside by coming inside, much like us. Unfortunate as it may be, rats may spread disease, and this is especially frequent in older homes with lots of gaps where they might hide.
It's no secret that spending the winter indoors may have a negative impact on your psyche. Shorter days cause seasonal affective disorder (SAD) symptoms such as melancholy, exhaustion, and changes in appetite.