Dealing with Being "Under the Weather" During the Transition from Winter to Spring

By Jamie Shapiro | February 11, 2016 | Comments Off on Dealing with Being "Under the Weather" During the Transition from Winter to Spring

Home Care in Skokie, IL

Everyone has heard the phrase “under the weather” used to describe being slightly ill, and there is no time when this phrase is more applicable than in the transition between seasons. While it would be nice for the seasons to move smoothly from one to the next so that it is easy to get used to the new weather, this is not how it usually happens. Far more often you deal with fluctuations in temperature, pressure, and precipitation that can go on for several weeks as the seasons work on shifting. These shifts can truly put your health under the control of the weather, leaving you feeling rundown with headaches, cough, scratchy throat, and other symptoms. No one wants to feel this way, and if you are on a home care journey with your aging parents it is even more important to know how to combat these feelings so that you can feel your best and be the quality caregiver that you need to be, and so that your parents can stay strong, healthy, and active from one season to the next.

As you are transitioning from winter to spring you are likely noticing a rather jerky shift in the temperature and weather patterns. It can be warm and sunny one day and then overcast and snowing the next. While it can be fun to get those last glimpses of the beautiful wintery weather before you head into the long stretch of spring and summer, all of these major shifts can be hard on your body. During these changes in temperature germs thrive, putting you at greater risk of developing in infection or illness, and scientists have found that just like you want to move more slowly when you are cold, your immune system is more sluggish the lower the temperature. Add in the fact that uncomfortable weather patterns mean you are going to spend more time inside with other people, and you are likely to spend much of the later winter and early spring feeling a bit “under the weather”.

Try these ways to help your aging parents and yourself deal with the sick feeling that comes with the shift in the weather during the transition from spring to winter:
• Avoid major climate control shifts. It is easy to be tempted to respond to major swings in the temperature outside with big jumps in the temperature inside, but that can be detrimental to your health. These changes are just as confusing for your body, and they have the additional concern of being extremely drying for your skin, including the lining of your nose, which can make you even more vulnerable to illness and infection. Keep the temperature consistent, preferably on the cool end as you are moving toward warmer weather, and compensate by adding extra layers of clothing.
• Strengthen your immune system. Combat the stress on your body by taking steps to strengthen your immune system. Eat well, get plenty of sleep, and keep up with your vitamins to ensure your body is as strong as possible.
• Layer your clothing. If you are heading out, make sure you are wearing plenty of layers of clothing. This will keep you warm if the day starts cool and wet, and then allows you to take off the layers as you warm up so that you do not get overheated or chilled and more vulnerable to those sick feelings.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Skokie, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/body/scientists-finally-prove-cold-weather-makes-sick/

Jamie Shapiro
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