Why Winter Weather Is Good For You

By: Cheryl Kupfer

Published: March 3rd, 2010
Latest update: July 9th, 2012

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Many of us in North America, even in areas that are usually relatively toasty during the winter months – like Maryland and Washington, DC – are impatiently counting the days until spring and the promise of warmth and sunny days. Even rain is looking good these days.

After seemingly non-stop snow storms, back -breaking snow shoveling, slippery “ice-walking” and school closings – meaning bored children tearing the house apart, people want winter to be behind them. This despite the fact that winter’s end automatically means Pesach is imminent – and we all know what preparing for this holiday of freedom entails.

However, at this point there are a lot of fed-up, winter-weary adults who hands down (literally) prefer scraping kitchen counters than scraping icy windshields.

I however see many wonderful benefits to cold winter weather – it’s just a matter of opening your eyes even though your vision might be obscured by your ski mask. Below are a bar mitzvah number of reasons why winter weather is a bracha.

1: Good for the skin: Cold temperatures will keep you looking younger longer. After all, everyone knows that meat stays fresher looking in a refrigerator – but look what happens when meat is left out at room temperature (68-72 F).

2: Physical fitness via aerobics: All that jumping and hopping you do to get the circulation back in your frozen toes and fingers will burn calories and speed up your metabolism.

3) Physical fitness via weight lifting: Hours of bending down and lifting shovels full of snow over your shoulders as you clear and then re-clear your driveway and sidewalk, will build up your biceps and triceps and a whole bunch of muscles you never knew you had.

4) Enhanced privacy: You don’t have to worry about unwanted guests dropping in on you all hours of the day and night – not when there is 30 inches of snow on the sidewalk and road. Remember, sleet and snow falling through the day keeps the in-laws away!

5) Lower car expenses: Since you will not be going anywhere for a few days – or until whenever the blizzard lets up, you can save a substantial sum of money on gasoline and wear and tear on your car – unless of course you left it parked on the street/driveway.

6) Peace of mind: You don’t have to worry about getting sunburned or heat stroke if you spend too much time outside (while waiting for the bus that was due 40 minutes earlier).

7) More peace of mind: Bundled up in layers of clothing and sweaters, no one will notice the 10 pounds you recently gained while indulging in latkes and donuts on Chanukah – and snacking on that pile of shalach manos you need to get rid of before Pesach.

8) Power failure will not ruin your food: If the electricity goes off, there is no need to worry about food spoiling. Just take your perishables outside. And if you’re in the mood for an iced tea, or your soda is too warm, you can just reach out of your window and break off an icicle or two.

9) Mitzvah opportunity: Those who are in very good shape can roam around the neighborhood, helping friends and strangers alike to push their cars out of the snow banks they are stuck in.

10) No line-ups in restaurants: Because so many people are housebound, those who are adventurous have their choice of tables and quick service if they go out to eat.

11) Enhanced family togetherness: Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers and children will get re-acquainted as they spend quality – and quantity time together – since nobody will be going out until the snow drifts blocking the doors melt away.

12) Personal safety: If you feel like taking a late night stroll or need to pick something up from the grocery store, you can walk out with confidence knowing that no self-respecting mugger would be caught outdoors in this freezing weather.

13) Heat appreciation: On muggy, hot, summer days, as you feel like you are melting under the broiling sun, you can remind yourself of those frigid, chilly winter days you so recently endured and embrace the heat beating on your head.

As you can see, every cloud – even snow clouds – have a silver lining. You just have to not let the snowflakes get into your eyes!