Grey, damp, cold – bad weather can get on your nerves. But: The weather does not make you ill, emphasizes an expert. And against the winter blues you can definitely do something yourself.
Freiburg (dpa/lsw) – Even if it’s difficult on gray and wet and cold days: Especially in the dark season, a lot of exercise in the fresh air is necessary. According to the Freiburg medical meteorologist Andreas Matzarakis, even a walk can work small miracles: “When I go outside, the blood circulation is activated, the light gives the body impulses, endorphins are released.” This is not only good for the soul, but also hardens.
Anyone who blames the winter blues on the weather is thinking too short anyway. It is true that more happy hormones are released in the human body on long summer days than on shorter winter days, when the sleep hormone melatonin is more dominant. “But that’s not a meteorological problem,” emphasized the professor at the Center for Medical Meteorological Research at the German Weather Service in Freiburg.
Depending on their age and state of health, however, people may find it more difficult to adapt to change. The condition is dependent on the medical history, hormonal conditions and factors such as stress or nutrition.
The sun always helps: “Light creates positive feelings via receptors in the eye.” This could also be a reason why people are happy about snow. “When there is snow, more light is reflected,” explains Matzarakis. But expectations also play a role: “Snow is associated with joy, but not fog.”
The body copes best with constant temperatures. According to the medical meteorologist, the phenomenon of weather sensitivity occurs when the weather changes rapidly. This can manifest itself in some people as cardiovascular problems, depression, headaches, breathing difficulties or rheumatism. Basically, however: “The weather doesn’t make you sick. It’s just an additional factor,” emphasized Matzarakis.
When the days get longer again soon after the solstice (December 21), that doesn’t necessarily mean the all-clear for weather-sensitive people. “With every change, the body gets confused,” says the DWD expert. But also against spring fatigue helps: “Get out into the fresh air.”
Movement does not equal sport. This can even be counterproductive when it is freezing cold or there are pollutants in the air. From the expert’s point of view, outdoor sports at temperatures around zero degrees are not recommended, especially for older and untrained people.
