Is it "superstition" or "science" that the body feels sluggish when the air pressure drops?
Have you ever felt that your body is heavy or that you have a headache when the rain is approaching?
On the other hand, it may be dismissed as "it's just my mind" or "it's an old superstition".
In this article, let's sort out whether there is really a relationship between air pressure and physical condition, and whether it is "superstition" or "science".
Is there really a relationship between atmospheric pressure and physical condition?
Recently, the diagnostic names "weather sickness" and "weather pain" have also appeared.
According to a survey by the Japan Meteorological Association, about 60% of people answered that "changes in the weather make them feel unwell", which is a phenomenon that many people are realizing.
Scientifically Understood Mechanisms
- The inner ear acts as a barometric pressure sensor
→ When the air pressure drops, the vestibule (the organ responsible for balance) at the back of the ear is stimulated. - Disturbance of the autonomic nervous system
→ The sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves are out of balance, causing lethargy, drowsiness, and headaches. - Dilation of blood vessels and fluctuations in serotonin
→ It has been reported that the widening of blood vessels in the brain makes migraines more likely to occur, and serotonin secretion, which is related to mood stability, is also affected.
Why was it often considered a "superstition"?
- Medical research has progressed relatively recently, about 10 years ago.
- There were large individual differences, and it was easy to be treated as "the fault of the mind".
- In the past, it was only passed down as "the wisdom of the elderly", and the scientific support was weak.
Measures You Can Take in Your Daily Life
1. Lifestyle habits that regulate the autonomic nervous system
- Regular sleep
By keeping your bedtime and wake-up times as consistent as possible, the autonomic nervous system will switch smoothly. - Light exercise or stretching
Just taking a walk or doing light stretching in the morning will activate the sympathetic nervous system and make it easier to prevent sluggishness. - Deep breathing or meditation
It has the effect of promoting relaxation by dominating the parasympathetic nervous system.
2. "Visualizing" changes in atmospheric pressure
- Utilizing a barometric pressure forecasting app
Use an app such as "Headache" to understand the beginning of the drop in air pressure and prepare your mind and body in advance. - Keep a physical condition diary
Recording the barometric pressure graph and your physical condition will make it easier to find "your weakness patterns".
3. Relax and warm up the body
- Ear massage
Gently pulling or circling the ear can improve blood flow in the inner ear and relieve sensitivity to changes in air pressure. - Warming the neck and shoulders
Applying a steamed towel can help increase blood circulation, which can help relieve headaches and stiffness.
4. Ideas for food and drinks
- Consume caffeine in moderation
The caffeine in coffee and green tea constricts blood vessels and relieves headaches. - Be aware of hydration
Dehydration promotes disturbances in the autonomic nervous system, so it is important to drink water at room temperature frequently. - Intake of magnesium and B vitamins
If you are aware of nutrients related to nerve stability, it will be easier to prevent sluggishness.
5. Ideas when it's really hard
- Rest in a quiet, dark place
When migraines are strong, it is effective to avoid light and sound stimuli. - Taking analgesics
It is also an important option to use medication under the doctor's instructions.
Conclusion
The relationship between air pressure and physical condition is no longer a superstition, but a phenomenon that can be scientifically explained.
However, there are large differences depending on your constitution, so the first step is to know how you will react.
On the next rainy day, why don't you observe your physical condition for a while?
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