by Adam Miramon
Over the past couple of years, we have
experienced some odd or out-of-the-ordinary weather. The winter of
2009-2010 brought three huge snowstorms – Snowpocalypse,
Snowmageddon, and Snoverkill. These snowstorms were followed by a
quick, brief spring in which the shift from winter into spring was
quite noticeable. The summer of 2010 was reported as being the
hottest summer on record.
This past winter, snow fell in October, the
first winter freeze hit the Washington, DC area on December 10th,
and we didn’t receive any substantial snowfall. In fact, the
overall temperatures for the winter of 2011-2012 were warmer in
comparison to previous years. The trees and vegetation seemed to
bloom late this year, and the season seemed hesitant to get started –
temperatures would fluctuate from with a variation of 20-30 degrees in
just a couple of days. In the last month, we’ve had about 11
days with high temperatures below 70 degrees and three days with high
temperatures below 60 degrees. The question people are asking me is: “How
can I stay healthy with this bi-polar weather?”
First, let’s look at how the body may
be invaded by different variations of weather. From a Chinese medical
perspective, the body can be invaded by wind, cold, summer-heat, and
damp. Many people may be susceptible to one or more of these factors.
A person’s susceptibility is dependent upon two factors: their
constitution and an equilibrium between the environment and their
body. A person’s constitution is a combination of their overall
health and what they inherit from their parents; therefore, this
cannot be significantly influenced outside of acupuncture. However,
the balance between the body and environment can be influenced by
simple changes in lifestyle and clothing.
An invasion of wind is the most common and the easiest to prevent. Wind invasion occurs
when the weather shifts suddenly. Because we live in a society of artificial heating and
cooling, an invasion of this nature can even occur outside of shifting weather. An example
would be to be outside during the summer when the temperature is 90° and then sitting in
a movie theatre that is cooled to 65-70°. If you were to sit directly beneath the air vent, you
could be even more susceptible wind because the cold air is blowing directly on you while
your body has not fully adjusted to the change in temperature.
Following are a couple of suggestions to help
maintain balance between you and the environment.
Layering clothing is an excellent way
to stave off the possibility of invasion by an external factor such
as wind. Although this idea seems novel, it can actually be quite
effective if the temperature is going to change by 20 degrees or more
during the day. For example, this past Saturday it was 59 degrees when I
left my house in the morning for work, and it was about 81degrees when I
left work. By layering in the morning, I was able to stay warm in the
morning and reduce clothing later in the day.
Another idea is to carry a light-weight
jacket or sweatshirt with you – one with a hood is even better!
This item is extremely helpful if the temperature shifts from hot to
cold. A jacket allows you the opportunity to stave off the cold
should the weather shift suddenly. I remember a few days in April
which were warm when I left my house for school, and the weather
shifted to cold by the time I left late that evening. If I had
thought to bring a jacket, I would not have been shivering while
walking to my car.
Finally, I would suggest a scarf or
pashmina, because it can be used to easily cover up the back of your
neck. Some scarves and pashminas are large enough to cover the tops
of your shoulders or even your head. Not only are these accessories
great is preventing an invasion of wind, but they are light-weight
and can easily be carried in a backpack. Plus, they can be used to
make a fashion statement!
Now you have some wonderful tools to
use if we continue to experience the shifting or bi-polar weather. If
you are able to manage without adverse affects, you may not be as
susceptible to wind invasion, and your body may be able to maintain its
equilibrium with the environment.
Photo credit: 123RF.com
By David Salisbury
