Why Do People Get Sick in Winter?

Why do I keep getting sick in winter? In the United States, doctor visits from the common cold account for more visits than any other condition. Most adults catch at least two colds each year, which often cannot be prevented.

However, answering the question, “Why do people get sick in winter?” can help us understand why we get sick in the winter and learn how to avoid sickness in winter.

Do you want help staying healthy during the winter flu season? Keep reading this article for the most common reasons why people get sick in the winter.

Exposure to Cold, Dry Air

One of the most common reasons why you get sick more often in the winter is that you have increased exposure to cold, dry air.

When you are inside more often during the winter, the heated air that you breathe in can dry out your nose, which makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to breed. Your nose constantly secretes mucus, which is what traps viruses before they enter our system.

When you are exposed to cold, dry air, it dries out your nasal passages and makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to get through your body’s defenses. To prevent yourself from getting sick, you might want to try using a humidifier during the winter months.

Less Daylight

Something else that can contribute to people getting sick more often in the winter is that there is less daylight. Because the sun sets around 5:00 or 6:00 each day in the winter, there will be fewer UV rays.

UV rays are good at killing microbes, bacteria, and other viruses. When the sun reaches your home through your windows, it can lower the levels of bacteria and microbes in your home. With less daylight in the winter, you may have more amounts of bacteria and germs in your house.

Similarly, less sunlight means that you will not have as much vitamin D production during the winter which can weaken your immune system.

Getting Fewer Vitamins and Minerals

Another reason why many people get sick during the winter is that they are not getting as many vitamins and minerals.

As was mentioned before, people are not able to produce vitamin D as much in the winter, as we do not spend as much time outside. Without taking supplements, it can be difficult to stay healthy.

However, there are many other vitamins we lack in the winter. This might be because you do not have as much access to fresh foods and vegetables as you are in the summer. Regardless of why you are not getting enough vitamins and minerals, taking a multivitamin in the winter can help you boost your immune system and keep you healthier.

One vitamin that can help you fight and prevent colds is Zinc. This will shorten the course of your illnesses and help you stay healthier during the winter flu season.

Less Exercise

Next, you may be getting sick more often in the winter if you are getting less exercise. In fact, a study shows that people that exercise regularly are less likely to develop a cold. Exercise can also help make your cold less severe.

Many people get less exercise during the winter because it is more difficult to get outside. This makes it hard to go for walks, go running, or anything else. If you don’t have a gym pass, you may want to try home workouts that you can do during the winter to try and fight off cold symptoms.

Traveling

Something else that can greatly impact how much you get sick is traveling around the holidays. As people travel home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other winter holidays, they are exposed to more people from all over the world.

This is especially true when you travel by public transportation and visit an airport or a train station.

To keep yourself from getting sick as you travel during the holidays, you should be cautious of the surfaces that you touch while you are traveling. It is also important to regularly wash your hands, especially before you eat or touch your face.

You can also use a face mask when you are using public transportation, as it can help you avoid spreading or catching germs that can lead to colds and other illnesses. If you are worried about catching a more serious virus, like COVID-19, you may want to get CVS covid testing to rule it out.

Spending Time in Enclosed Spaces

Finally, in the winter, we tend to spend more time in enclosed spaces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we learned that spending too much time in close proximity to others who are sick can make it easier to catch viruses, which is why social distancing was so effective.

However, you can more easily catch a cold or virus even if you live alone. This is because bacteria and viruses often live on surfaces in your home. When you stay inside more often, you have more exposure to these surfaces and this can result in you catching illnesses more often.

Why Do People Get Sick in Winter? Learn More

Why do people get sick in winter? Many people wonder this when they find themselves getting sick more often in the winter months. While the dry winter weather has a lot to do with why we get sick, there are some other factors that you can consider as well.

By understanding the answers to the question “why do we get sick in winter,” we can stay healthier during winter.

Can winter make you sick? Check out the other articles on our website about health and lifestyle to prevent getting sick!