Headed for a March Meltdown? 5 Ways to Nip it in the Bud

Kudos to you for surviving another blistering Winter. By now your body probably feels beat up from months of cold weather, lack of sunshine and lots of couch hibernating. So don’t be surprised if you’re suffering from a lingering cold or cough you cannot shake, feeling sluggish, sore and/or downtrodden. The days may be getting brighter and longer, but studies show that the wet and cloudy precursor to Spring period we’ve just entered does affect our moods, joints and muscles. If you want to avoid a meltdown this March, here are some preventative measures you should put into practice:

1.      Tired All the Time?: One less hour of darkness should make you feel happier but some research suggests that the time change may do more harm than good. In fact sleep experts estimate millions of people are affected, however temporarily, by the return of daylight saving each spring. To avoid these dangers, stick to your regular bedtime routine even if you aren’t feeling tired. Avoid heavy meals for dinner and after-dinner coffee, as well as undue reading, eating or watching television in bed. Another suggestion offered by the University of Connecticut Health Center is make time for the weekend nap – just make sure you don’t do it close to bedtime.

2.      Showered with Depression: Longer days and warmer weather in the Spring can have a negative impact on certain people’s bodies. And the treatment for Spring and Summer-based depression is different than that for the Wintertime blues. Experts recommend limiting exposure to harsh elements and finding relief in cool and air-conditioned spaces. Eating foods, like certain fish, which are packed with Vitamin D can also be a mood booster. 

3.      Fried Energy Levels: If you’re feeling tapped or zapped, choose an activity and do it outdoors! Whether your form of fitness is walking, running or gardening, exercising in the fresh air will improve feelings of revitalization and increase energy levels while reducing tension and stress. So instead of spending time at the gym spend the extra hour outside when the weather is accommodating.  Now that the weather is improving, walking or cycling to work is a great way to start the day off feeling energized and alert. 

4.      Feeling Achy and Breaky: Wet weather does more than just trigger migraines, it also stiffen the joints. That’s right, there seems to be a significant correlation between joint pain and a drop in temperature and a change in humidity. Instead of simply medicating joint pain that flairs up with the warm weather, take proactive measures to improve joint function, such as engaging in non-weight bearing exercises.

Remember too that flu season persists well into Spring. The unpredictable weather of late Winter and early Spring can cause biological changes in viruses, and healthier viruses mean more unhealthy people. A key preventive measure is getting a flu shot, generally  still available from most doctors’ offices, pharmacies and health departments.