Dr. Hüseyin BÜYÜKÖZER
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason.” (Surah Al-Imran, Ayat 190)
Allah created the universe and every particle in it in a certain order and balance. There is nothing constant in this balance, where there is no deficiency or gap. Everything created remembers Allah in a constant state of motion and performs whatever function is decreed for it.
Every season and every age have its own special aspects, conveniences, and difficulties, as well as blessings and opportunities. We have the hope that if we use these blessings and opportunities as we are commanded, we will achieve salvation both in this world and the hereafter. The change of seasons does not only affect nature, but it also has a physical, mental, and psychological effect on people. Like every season, what are the benefits of winter and its cold weather?
Although most people prefer to stay away from cold weather and stay indoors, cold weather has many unknown benefits. Here are the unknown benefits of cold weather… Climate and temperature have direct effects on our physical and mental health. Therefore, during the winter season with low temperatures, our body, mind, and psychology are affected by this situation in various ways.
It is known that the clean oxygen taken from cold air in winter is 30% more than in summer. More oxygen going to the blood increases mental activity. Scientists state that being in cold weather in moderation increases serotonin, known as the happiness hormone.
In cold weather, the fat and bad cholesterol in our body is burned faster. This means that the metabolic rate increases, and the slimming process becomes easier.
Another area where cold weather is beneficial to the human body is our skin. Cold air tightens the pores on our face and reduces swelling. In addition, research shows that cold weather also relieves joint pain felt in older ages.
So far, we have generally talked about the positive effects of cold weather on our physical health. Of course, cold weather also has some “indirect” negative effects on our physical health. Less ventilation of closed areas at low temperatures, not wearing thick enough clothes, etc. Situations such as these can cause our immune system health to weaken and make us more susceptible to diseases. However, as we have just mentioned, these are the indirect effects of cold weather on our physical health.
As for the effects of cold weather on our mental health; It is possible to include a few negatives. Bad weather conditions may cause us to spend time indoors and not be able to benefit from the healing effect of the sun. As a result, we may feel more mentally tired and lose motivation. Of course, it is possible to get rid of all these negativities by engaging in healthy activities such as regular exercise and healthy eating, which will eliminate them.
In order to eliminate all these negative effects, various methods can be applied, such as exercising regularly, eating healthy, participating in social activities, and acquiring new hobbies, as mentioned above. In this way, the negative effects of weather changes will be minimized, and the person will support the development of physical and mental health.
