Brains
It would come as no surprise that most of our readers’ favorite season is winter. It is the time of the year when we get to hit the mountains and grab some fresh powder. Each fall we keep a detailed eye on the weather forecasts and check for possible ski resorts’ opening dates. We are winter people and it is the one season of the year that gets us excited and makes us happy.
Chionophiles are any organisms (animals, plants, fungi, etc.) that can thrive in cold winter conditions. These animals have specialized adaptations that help them survive the harshest winters. This fun word comes from the Greek words “chion,” meaning “snow”, and “phile,” meaning “lover of.” Essentially, that translates into: we are people who love snow.
- Related Article: Are Cold Exposure and Skiing Healthier for Us Than We Thought?
The fact that we love winter does not mean that we necessarily do not like the summer and warmer temperatures as well. There are a ton of things to do during the off-season like camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and much more. It is just that to us snow lovers, the winter season is simply our favorite season — or as my friend’s son calls it “the superior season.”
There are interesting personality traits that differentiate people who are warm-weathered people versus cold-weathered people. Warm-weathered people describe themselves as being outgoing and confident. Those who prefer the cold climates admit to being shy, quiet, and sarcastic according to The New York Post.
There has been research done that suggests that the colder temperatures during winter are healthier for a person. Cold weather can increase endurance since it is not fighting to stay cool in the warm weather according to Harvard Health Publishing. There is evidence that supports that exercising in the cold could activate a type of fat that burns more calories according to the National Institutes of Health.
Someone who has looked into these health benefits is John A. Billon, an M.D. from Maryland Primary Care Physicians who received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical School. He completed his residency program in Family Practice at Stamford St. Peters University Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson, and is certified by the American Board of Family Practice.
In Billon’s article, he highlighted that in the winter people have fewer allergies because plants do not make pollen in the winter. Most people do not like all the bugs and insects that are associated with warmer temperatures. During the winter, there are fewer bug-borne diseases because there are fewer insects like mosquitoes that carry diseases with them. There is also research that suggests that cold weather can reduce inflammation and pain. The study found that runners who are exposed to cold temperatures recover faster from workouts.
Billon’s article also suggested that our brains work better in colder temperatures. The studies found that the best temperature for school children to learn at was 62°F and people study better when the weather is cold. If you are trying to lose weight then the colder temperatures during winter might be able to help with that as well. A human being’s body burns more calories during the winter to stay warm. Billon also said that the colder temperatures may trigger “brown fat” in the body, which is a good fat that can burn off other “white” fat.
Winter is also the only time of the year when there are several great sporting events that we can enjoy watching. In January the playoffs start for the NFL and the Super Bowl is held in February which is the most watched American television broadcast each year. The NCAA College Football Playoffs and Bowl games are also held during the winter. Of course, it is also the time of the year when we not only get to hit the mountains but also get to watch our favorite World Cup athletes hit the racecourses throughout the world.
In addition, in the Northern Hemisphere winter coincides with many beloved family holidays. Halloween and Thanksgiving technically occur during the Fall. However, for the people who live in cold weather areas, we have all had that one Halloween when it was so bitterly cold outside that we were wearing our costumes over our winter clothes. Thanksgiving also occurs during the Fall, but there are a lot of ski resorts that are already open for business by then and people have been skiing for weeks already. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are probably the two big holidays that most people look forward to each winter.
There are so many reasons to love the winter months with the colder temperatures, holidays, and the snow it brings that we all look forward to every year. For most of us, it is our favorite time of the year, mostly because we get to hit the slopes and do what we love most. However, there is research that suggests there are also health benefits to the colder temperatures. Some people do not like the scorching hot temperatures and high humidity that occur during the summer. Perhaps you do not like all the animals that are associated with summer like mosquitoes, snakes, spiders, and bears. Whatever your reason, there is simply something special about people who love winter!
