Are you a “summer person” or a “winter person”? Most people have a favorite season, and often one reason for this is that they feel healthier during that time of year!
If you are a summer person, chances are that the shorter daylight hours, less purifying UV sunlight, drier climate, cold temperatures, and influx of cold and flu germs are part of why you prefer your weather warm rather than cold.
But in truth, even if you prefer winter weather, you probably often wish you could stay healthier during your favorite time of year so you could enjoy it more!
Happily, there is one surefire way to boost your immune system and fight back against wintertime health hazards, as this article explains!
Do You Suffer From These Winter Health Issues?
These major cold-weather health issues can make winter more of a misery than a joy!
Cold and flu
Every year, millions of people contract one of many strains of the flu virus. Some people get the flu shot to help prevent it, but this only works if the shot matches the type of flu germs encountered, which health experts can’t always predict in advance.
As well, Canadian health officials are predicting this year’s flu season to be particularly virulent, which is never a good thing to hear!
The biggest challenge in controlling flu outbreaks each winter is combatting how these germs travel—that is, through the air.
Asthma attacks
If your asthma symptoms worsen when the temperatures drop, chances are good there are three main factors at work: drier air, changes in air temperature, and an increase in airborne dust and allergens.
These three factors also frequently intersect, such as when you turn on your furnace for the first time, which dries out the air and lowers indoor air humidity levels while at the same time releasing a cloud of stored-up dust and allergens.
Skin irritation
Skin irritation, including dryness, itching, rashes, and flare-ups of chronic conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are also more common in cold weather conditions.
Some people even develop winter hives, a condition doctors call urticaria.
Regardless of what your particular cold-weather skin issue may be, there is a good chance the dry air, hot showers (warm is good, hot is not good), chemical additives in certain skin products and certain fabrics, and an overactive immune system are at least partly to blame.
Arthritis
At its core, arthritis is simply inflammation in the joint area. It can happen at any time of year, but many sufferers feel their symptoms more keenly during the winter.
Part of the reason for this is that the worse you feel, the less you are inclined to move and exercise, which can alleviate the pain and swelling of arthritis. Also, the damp chill caused by winter storms can make aches and pains feel more painful.
But the biggest culprit may be a weakened immune system that is already stressed and overworked fighting off cold and flu germs.
The Healing Power of Cleaner Indoor Air
Cleaner indoor air cannot take away your asthma, arthritis, skin condition (if chronic), or flu. But it sure can help lessen symptoms and reduce the risk that you will contract illness.
Perhaps the number one biggest benefit of cleaning up your indoor air will be to give your immune system a leg up against the competition each winter.
The stronger your immune system, the less likely that germs or allergens will cause it to overreact, which is what causes allergies and cold and flu symptoms.
Cleaner indoor air can also lessen your contact with airborne germs and allergens and, if paired with humidity adjustment, can help reduce the incidence of physical inflammation and systemic tissue dryness.
How to Clean & Purify Your Winter Indoor Air
Today’s indoor air purification methods are easy and effective, and they work just as well during the spring, summer, and fall seasons as they do in winter!
Ultraviolet purification
Even today, there is still no man-made technology that can outperform the sun’s ultraviolet rays as an agent of purification. UV light literally neutralizes toxins, allergens, and germs on contact.
HEPA filtration
HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration was invented during World War II, and there hasn’t been anything since that has been able to beat its filtration abilities.
A HEPA filter, whether installed on a home comfort (A/C and heating) system or vacuum cleaner, can filter out unwelcome airborne particulate matter as small as 1/100th of a single human hair!
Humidification/dehumidification
Seasonal shifts in humidity can cause a range of uncomfortable physical symptoms, from increased respiratory infections to skin rashes.
Whole home humidifiers and dehumidifiers adjust your indoor air humidity levels as needed to keep within the optimal range of 30 to 50 percent humidity all year long.
Heat recovery ventilation
A heat recovery ventilator is a wonderful appliance designed to work with any home comfort (A/C and heating) system to keep incoming air fresh and oxygenated and to ensure stale outgoing air never sneaks back inside.
Give Us a Call
Save 20 percent on any indoor air quality (IAQ) equipment with our Breathe Clean Air Event, which is going on now!
Give us a call at 905-544-2470 for help ensuring your seasonal air is clean and pure!
