Have you noticed that people in general seem to be more cheerful lately?
There are studies that indicate warm, sunny weather improves our mental and physical well-being. A number of walk-in clinics have noticed the number of patients decreases when the weather is great.
That does not mean the people were not actually ill but that they were possibly distracted because of the great weather. When we spend more time outdoors in good weather it has a physiological effect on us.
If you are able to take a walk or go for a bike ride your mind is focused on the natural world, you are breathing fresh air and perhaps talking to others. That all goes a long way to helping us feel better.
In fact lying on the couch, while it is snowing outside and the temperature is -30 C, you are bound to think about where you are in pain. In fact you are likely to feel more tired, notice your joints stiffen and perhaps experience more muscle aches and pains too.
There are studies that show our reduced mobility can contribute to higher blood pressure, depression and even heart disease.
Of course getting outside for a walk, especially if you go with someone else, improves your well-being.
Social isolation has a significant impact on us. Beyond health, which is huge, social isolation increases our risk of being taken advantage of because we do not have a network of people to share experiences with.
By that I mean that those who may have had a phone call from someone offering some scheme or other, are more likely to be taken in by it if they do not have someone to share the information with for another perspective. Another person can shed light on the call, conversation and/or idea. You benefit from the opinion of others rather than just relying on your own.
That can work both ways. Someone living on their own, who never goes out, may feel stubborn about the need to see a doctor or to seek help on a particular issue. It can feel as if the world is against them. The valuable counsel of others helps to look at the issue from different angles before making a decision.
For those of us who are out and about all day long should consider the people we know who don’t have that privilege. Perhaps we can bring the outside world to them in a telephone call or a quick visit to show we care about them.
Here’s to good weather and enjoying the great outdoors and here’s To Your Health.
To Your Health is a weekly column by Gillian Slade, health reporter for the News, bringing you news on health issues and research from around the world. You can reach her at gslade@medicinehatnews.com or 403-528-8635.
