Good emotions

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday January 30, 2023 06:00

He had navigated this route many times and believed he could do it with his eyes closed. The wind’s ferocity bludgeoned the thermometre’s mercury to its depths.

Minus. In reference to temperature, the word minus preceding the numerical value hints at potential misery. Minus 30 confirmed it. His legs pushed on while his eyes narrowed to conceal the wind’s agony. He thought about running.

His mirror reflection would have revealed Gore-Tex boots with a thick fleece lining. Gore-Tex offered a waterproof covering for his wool-lined winter suit once more.

A matching merino wool hat and scarf ensemble completed the picture. As suitable as this attire was given the circumstances, it was also weighty. He knew if he ran he would tire rapidly. Instead he carried a rapid walking pace. He knew steady progress was the most efficient way out of this elemental tempest. In the midst of this Northern Hemisphere blizzard, his thoughts narrowed. How much longer and further before respite was his? As the winter’s frigid daggers punished his cloaked body, his thoughts journeyed to happier times.

He remembered the fall.

The forest walks with its canopy imbued with colours of autumn leaves. As it combined the excitement of red and the brightness of yellow, blazing warm orange invigorated good emotions such as pleasure and happiness. In the US, when prompted to identify their favourite season, 41% of US adults chose fall. Spring and summer each received 24% of the total favourite vote, while only 11% of respondents said winter is their season of choice. Notably, fall is the most popular season across all key demographic groups, including gender, generation, and area. 23.5. Exchange rate with the British pound? US dollar? No. A number that governs the life we live depending on our earthly location.

This number refers to the obliquity of the elliptical. Simply expressed, the 23.5 degrees refers to axial tilt of the earth. Due to this axial tilt, the sun shines on different latitudes at different angles throughout the year.

This causes the seasons. Depending on where you stay on the planet, it is this phenomenon that explains why in Botswana a winter time high of 21 degrees is possible, while in Canada they may experience -7 degrees. I wonder what season is Botswana’s favourite? Or least favourite? As in North America, maybe winter would be least favoured. While frigid temperatures may be unpleasant, may they be beneficial for our health? According to recent studies, Cold Water Immersion (CWI) is a type of cold water treatment that helps the human body’s natural healing process. Taking ice baths or icy showers is a popular form of CWI.

It is an excellent technique to stimulate the body’s inherent healing qualities and enable it to alleviate symptoms of a variety of medical ailments. When done on a regular basis, the beneficial benefits of cold exposure endure much longer. Cold exposure induces a substantial release of epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) in the brain and body. These neurochemicals help us to feel alert, which cause their levels to remain raised for a period of time, and their long-term impact is to enhance levels of energy and attention, which may be transferred to other mental and/or physical tasks. Cold exposure helps to develop resilience and grit. By forcing yourself to accept the stress of cold exposure, you can gain control over the prefrontal cortex of your brain, which governs impulsivity. In other words, purposeful cold exposure is excellent mental conditioning. Furthermore, cold exposure causes the prolonged release of dopamine. Dopamine is a powerful molecule capable of elevating mood, enhancing focus, attention, goal-directed behaviour, etc.

Even short bouts of cold exposure can cause a lasting increase in dopamine and sustained elevation of mood, energy, and focus. Cold exposure boosts metabolism in the short-term because the body must expend calories to raise core body temperature. Though the overall number of calories burnt as a result of the cold exposure is not that significant.

A meta-analysis evaluating the effects of cold-water immersion on recovery discovered that cold exposure can be a highly effective recovery strategy following high-intensity exercise or endurance training. Short intervals of cold water immersion (five minutes) resulted in improved muscular power, perceived recovery, and reduced muscle soreness. How long should CWI last and at what temperature? While there are no hard and fast rules, the common opinion is eight to 15 Degrees Celsius for 11 minutes every week TOTAL. To reap the benefits of cold exposure, two-four sessions lasting one-five minutes should be sufficient. The water should be uncomfortably cold yet safe to stay in for a few minutes. I don’t miss the cold, sometimes cruel, Canadian winters. The delightful crispness of Botswana’s winters fits me perfectly. Though a frigid plunge every now and again may be precisely what the doctor ordered.