Stay warm, stay healthy: summer wellness tips

Intense heat in the summer is here. You may mostly stay in rooms with air conditioning and opt for many cold drinks to cool yourself down. These make us feel refreshed intuitively; however, they rob our bodies of healthy function if we continue to indulge in instant gratifications. Cold intolerance is ubiquitous among women.

A survey, conducted by Kracie, revealed that more than 60 percent of female respondents have been suffering from this hidden summer threat. The top three symptoms are as follows: fatigue (32.4%), decreased appetite (28.8%), and diarrhea or constipation (28.8%). Additionally, the longer you ignore your unwellness, the more severe the condition you experience, specifically menstrual issues such as irregularity and PMS, as well as hormone-related issues like hair loss and insomnia.

What is the deep-rooted cause?

There are several reasons triggering cold intolerance. However, the following four are potent factors: dysfunction of blood circulation, dysregulation of body temperature due to an imbalance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, lack of muscle mass, and nutrient deficiency.

Considering the realities stated above, it is vital for us to reflect on our habits in the summer and warm our bodies to optimize our body functions and build strong immune systems.

How can we get started warming our bodies?

Small lifestyle changes are the most powerful way to heal our bodies. There are some simple ways to incorporate them into our daily lives.

Foods

Dysfunction of the stomach caused by nutrient deficiencies affects your cold sensitivity. Various enriching nutrients and foods can restore your stomach, such as protein, fiber, and fermented foods. Traditional fermented foods in Japan, such as miso soup, natto, and rice bran pickles, would greatly help not only to improve blood circulation but also to increase metabolism and digestive function.

Exercise

Exercise is undoubtedly great for increasing muscle mass and improving blood circulation. However, the concern is that it might be too intense in the summer. Please do not worry. It does not imply mere running and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Brisk walking and simple stretching are considered movements, and they are beneficial for warming up our bodies.

Take a bath

Taking a bath helps activate our blood circulation. Japan has an abundance of hot springs. In particular, the following three types of hot springs are more effective than others for cold intolerance.

• Chloride spring

The primary component is salt. Salt prevents moisture loss, and we can get warm from inside, which positively affects blood circulation.

• Ferruginous spring

Composed of iron, this spring has strong heat retention, helping us warm up our bodies. The iron-rich spring is particularly advantageous for menstrual and hormonal issues caused by iron deficiency.

• Carbon dioxide spring

The feature of this spring is melting carbon dioxide. We feel attached to the bubbles of the gas when taking a bath and get the benefits by absorbing carbon-rich gas to improve our blood circulation. Compared with others, it provides benefits at even lower temperatures.

Spending time in cool spaces and having cold drinks is undoubtedly important to prevent heat stroke on boiling hot days. Meanwhile, we must recognize the negative effects and supplement ourselves adequately to maintain healthy body function and prevent potential women-related health issues.