FLEE FROM THE COLD? MIND YOUR HEALTH!

Our planet Earth is a perfectly created ecosystem based on natural laws, with 4 seasons being part of. If you circumvent this fact by, e.g., temporary geographic relocation from up north down to the south during winter time, don't overlook implications for your health. Learn more about…

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND

Carl Rooney from Rhode Island rejoices:
 
Next Monday I am driving down to the South to enjoy the warmth for the rest of the winter time. Can I do any better for my health, Doc?
 
Dr. Fritz:
 
You are certainly not the only one heading south this time of the year.
 
However, this is not a spotless decision, if we look closely. Because, since our globe, the Earth, is a perfect ecosystem strictly based on natural laws, the 4 seasons (spring, summer, fall and winter) make certainly sense. In a multi-faceted way. Yes – including our health which, like any other aspect of our life, is strongly linked to what we call circadian rhythms.
 
This implies that different temperatures have different impacts on our health.
 

SCIENTIFIC PROOF
 

Just take some implications in our daily life, like  

• Sleep

 
If disrupted by man-made dysregulation of our circadian rhythms, this can lead to different ailments.
 
Because insomnia and other sleep problems have not only a negative impact on our cognitive function but can also lead to kidney disease and even diabetes.
 
However, this can be relieved by keeping the head in cooler temperature, between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 to19 degrees Celsius), with the benefit of a better night’s sleep.  Based on research at, inter alia, the University of Pittsburgh, PA, Rush University in Chicago, IL, and the University of Lille in France.

• Appetite enhancement

 
Another study from the University of Massachusetts in Worcester, MA, indicates that appetite increases in an environment of cooler temperatures.
 
Similar the results of a study carried out at Loughborough University in the UK, according to which aerobic exercise in cooler temperatures increase the sense of hunger.

      *   Weight management

But don’t be fooled: more appetite and sense of hunger does not mean automatically more weight gain.

At least not in cooler temperatures where the body biologically burns fat from its ‘reserves’ to generate body heat. According to research at the University of Laval in Quebec City, Canada.
 
Even more, according to U.S. Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, shivering 15 minutes in a cool environment has the same effect as one hour exercise on our weight.
 

• Pain and inflammation management

 
Based on research at renowned Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, pain and inflammation is relieved in cooler environments.

CONCLUSION
 

If you are not a winter sport activist, relocating temporarily to perennial warm climate and sunshine down South may be your choice. However, don’t trivialize respective impacts on your life and health.

DISCLAIMER

All information stated in this blog are for your personal education, and not to replace the advice of your healthcare provider.