Have you ever heard someone say they know a storm is coming because they can feel it? Chances are you have said it yourself or know of someone who claims to be a weatherman by the way their joints feel. So is it true? Can you really feel it in your bones when a storm is moving in? Does the weather impact how you feel?
Research on this topic has actually never confirmed whether this is a fact or a myth. While there is no solid data to back this up, the majority of studies have found some type of association between the pain you feel and the clouds in the air. The reason that scientists and researchers can’t discover the hard facts on this topic is because there are many aspects of a storm that change and can impact what people claim they feel. Storms vary in the pressure of the air, humidity, precipitation, and temperature. In order for more solid research to help us out, more people need to be surveyed, so that more data can be collected and monitored.
So why might it seem like your body aches a little more than usual when it rains?
Less Movement
When the weather is crummy, you might tend to not be as active. Rainy days are often pictured as staying inside, curled up in a blanket, while reading a book or watching a movie. You probably don’t feel as motivated to work out or do anything outside of your house on a rainy day. This inactivity can cause you to feel stiff and have more aches than usual.
Mood Changes
Seasonal depression is something a lot of people experience. When a gloomy day comes around your mood might drop and you probably feel a little more stressed and tension than usual. This stress and depression can cause strain on the body that leads to aches and pains.
Cold Temperatures
Typically when it rains, the temperatures drop a little colder. Cold temperatures reduce the blood flow to muscles which can lead to stiffness. This can make you feel tense and cause pain in your muscles.
While there may not be enough research to show a direct link between the clouds and your pains, you might still have joint pain. If you are a person who experiences this try to stay warm by taking warm showers or using a blanket, talk to your doctor, and maintain a healthy weight.
No one deserves to live a life full of aches and pains. Be sure to exercise and eat a nutritious balanced diet to ensure that you can achieve optimal health. Push the clouds away and feel the sunshine!
Sources:
journals.lww.com/pain/Fulltext/2020/04000/Are_weather_conditions_associated_with_chronic.3.aspx
webmd.com/pain-management/weather-and-joint-pain#1
psychologytoday.com/us/blog/health-matters/201410/does-rain-cause-pain-and-what-do-about-it