We tend to underestimate the impact that the weather has on us. You might argue that whether sunny, cloudy, summer or winter has little influence on our day-to-day. Whether we are aware of it or not, the weather affects our daily choices. It is a major influence on what clothes we will wear for the rest of the day, to stay warm or cool. It impacts all living things be it humans, animals and plants.
The weather can easily induce a migraine. It is identified as the fourth most frequent trigger of migraines. Apart from these migraines, which may be deemed as not so problematic, you may be interested to know that strokes and heart attacks are more likely to occur in the winter. Due to the constricting blood vessels during colder weather, blood pressure rises. This is so because there is less space for the blood to move around. Research from the University of Florida indicates that fatal heart attacks and strokes peak during the winter season.
The weather is also associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which occurs mostly in countries where cloud cover and little sunlight are the norms. SAD can affect almost anyone, women are more likely to be prone than men. Such symptoms include irritability, lack of concentration, sleeping and eating issues and loss of enthusiasm for otherwise enjoyable activities. The cure for SAD would be a good dose of sunlight and vitamin D.
The weather has a key part to play in the growth of the fruits and vegetables we consume. Due to the lack of rain, some fruits and vegetables cannot grow in abundance and must be imported from other countries. Different weather patterns also have an impact on the ocean and the fish populations.
Did you know that thunderstorms may also trigger asthma attacks? Pollen allergens are often caught up by thunderstorms and can cause an asthma attack.
Whilst we normally tend to think of winter as the main trigger of health conditions caused by the weather, it is also important to keep in mind that summer can also bring problems of its own. Such may include heatstroke, dehydration and skin cancer.
So which type of weather do you prefer? Are you a summer or a winter person?
