If you love a dusting of snow on the mountain tops, a brisk walk among swirling snowflakes, and bundle-up-cold-weather, then Sedona has been the place to be over the last several weeks.
Although, some of us may enjoy winter sports or cuddling up with a book in front of a cozy fireplace, winter time and the accompanying cold weather often brings with it some negative health and safety concerns. There’s the shoveling of snow, possibility of frostbite, chipping of ice, travel risk on slick roads, cardiovascular health concerns, closure of businesses and activities, and always the dreaded flu season.
It’s true—some of us would rather pull the covers up and hibernate until around, say, March or April—but since winter is going to be with us for a while longer, why not embrace the benefits of the season? If you are one of those cold-weather personalities, or perhaps especially if you are not—here’s some additional positive reasons to embrace this chilly season. Colder weather may:
- Train blood vessels to be responsive: The vasculature can benefit from moderately cold temperatures by becoming more flexible. One of the cute results is those rosy cheeks!
- Activate brown fat: Brown fat is the heat-producing, calorie-eating fat that babies use to regulate their bodies. Much of it disappears as we age, but recent research showed moderately cold climates activated the brown fat in 23 out of 24 study volunteers.
- Trigger norepinephrine: Studies show that those cultures that practice deliberate efforts to cool the body may benefit from an increase in norepinephrine—a chemical in the nervous system that does many things including a role in pain suppression.
- Reduce disease carrying organisms: Even mild winters can limit the spread of infectious diseases.
- Minimize allergens: That hay fever or pesky allergic reaction to dust, flowers, trees, or grasses is practically non-existent.
- Improved sleep: Sleeping with a thermostat around 62 degrees at night may help you sleep better.
- Help you study or work better: Again, with 62 degrees being the ideal setting, your ability to concentrate and produce effective results may improve.
Information taken from resources at: www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/cold-weather-health.php; www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/cold-weather-is-it-good-or-bad-for-your-health; www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/blogs/how-cold-weather-is-good-for-you
At the Sedona Community Center, we endeavor to celebrate each season by bringing the activities, events, and leisure options preferred by our neighbors—the residents of Sedona. We are always looking for new selections to add to our calendar. If you have a great idea that you would like to share with us, please feel free to send it via email at: sedonacommunitycenter@gmail.com.
