For many, winter is the most magical season of the year. And it’s not just because of holidays like Christmas and New Year’s, although that certainly adds to the charm.
There’s something about how snow-covered fields and trees look straight out of a fairytale. Or maybe it’s the comfort food and warm drinks.
Plus, the air feels cleaner and fresher each morning.
Whether you love or hate the season, you should hang around. These cool winter facts will blow your mind.
Heart attacks are more common during winter.
More heart attacks happen in December than any other time of the year, and scientists blame the cold.
Lower temperatures cause the blood vessels supplying the heart to constrict, increasing your chances of a heart attack.
But it’s not just the cold that strains the heart. Strenuous activities, like shoveling snow or running around for the holidays, also increase the risk of a heart attack.
Portable heaters are a leading cause of winter house fires.
Space heaters cause about one-third of all house fires during winter.
So, while they are indeed a huge lifesaver when the cold gets unbearable, portable heaters can be dangerous if not used properly.
A common reason for space heater fires is knocking them over. Placing your heater too close to flammable items or electrical faults in the device can also cause house fires.
Viral illnesses are more common during winter.
Once the cold months come by, it seems almost everyone is down with the sniffles. And it’s not just your imagination.
Scientists explain that the cold dries out your nose, making you vulnerable to respiratory infections.
Also, since everyone is spending more time indoors, it’s easier for these germs to spread.
Women are four times more likely to have seasonal depression during winter.
Many people feel a little sad during these cold months. But beyond the simple winter blues, about 5% of Americans suffer from a debilitating type of depression called seasonal affective disorder.
This condition is also called winter depression and affects more women each year.
According to health experts, shorter days might be responsible. Fewer daylight hours mess with your body’s internal clock, which throws off normal brain chemistry.
Winter on Neptune lasts for four decades.
Winter on Neptune makes Earth’s cold season look like child’s play. This planet is the eighth in our solar system and the farthest away from the sun.
Since it’s so far away, it takes 165 years to complete a single revolution. So each season here, like winter, lasts about 40 years.
The US is the largest user of salt for deicing roads in winter.
Every winter, about 60 million tons of salt is used to keep ice off the roads around the world. This helps to make the roads less slippery and safer to drive on.
But the US alone contributes a huge chunk of that figure, over 20 million tons, to be exact.
As much as we benefit from deicing the roads with salt, it’s terrible for the environment. The salt seeps into surrounding water and soil, harming plants and animals.
Worker productivity nosedives during winter.
About two-thirds of workers in the UK admit they feel less productive during winter. Once the cold comes in, it’s hard to stay motivated and productive.
The shorter days feel like you have less time to get things done. On top of that, the cold doesn’t make it easier to stay cheerful while working.
And, if you catch the flu or other winter bugs, laying in bed all day gets more tempting than powering through work!
