It is 6:00 am and your alarm just went off to get ready for school. The first thing you see when you pick up your phone is a notification from your school. It reads, “Winter weather alert, school will be operating on a 2-hour delay due to slick and hazardous road conditions.” Suddenly you find yourself with an extra two hours of sleep that day! Winter weather has many positives and negatives that come with it. Besides getting out of school, cold weather has many health benefits as well. On the other hand, this type of weather can also be very dangerous to the safety of humans as well.
Recently, Walton, Indiana has been hit hard with harsh winter weather. In the past few weeks, Cass has used three e-learning days, a couple of virtual class days, and countless 2-hour delays. It is common knowledge that freezing temperatures, ice, and snow storms cause one of the most significant risks, road accidents. It is always recommended to drive as little as possible during these times, especially high school students who are new to driving, to decrease the chance of being in an accident.
A health risk from winter weather, according to SignitureMD.com, is the susceptibility of getting sick. The common misconception is that the cold air itself is what causes people to get sick in the winter, this is false. During the cold, winter months, the flu and colds tend to spread more easily because the virus is more stable and able to stay in the air longer when it is cold and dry (SignitureMD.com).
The list of negatives for winter weather could go on forever, but so can the list of positives. The freezing air has refreshing health benefits for the body. According to Kvaroy Arctic, colder air is proven to be good for the brain. Cold air can improve brain activity and focus. Studies show we have quicker decision-making skills and can stay calm when the body needs energy to keep warm (Kvaroy Arctic).
When this type of weather hits, there are some things I enjoy doing, and some things I try to avoid. If school is called off due to snowfall, this is a great opportunity to spend time with siblings. Students can go sledding or make snow ice cream. I also enjoy being inside, staying warm, and watching movies as well. Studentscould take this chance to help a neighbor shovel their driveway or clear a walkway to the front door. When roads are snowy and icy, I avoid driving as much as possible. On these particular days, it seems like a good idea to get tasks done like making trips into town because there are no other plans. But, even though it sounds like a fun idea, it most likely is not the smartest choice.
Believe it or not, the coldest days in winter can have both positive and negative factors to them. As winter starts to fade into spring, be sure to make the best out of these last few weeks, and enjoy it until warmer weather returns.
