How the Seasons Play Games with My Body
Chapter 4 of the Empowered Healing Series
Link to Chapter 3 : https://calmcorecozylayers.wordpress.com/2025/03/19/small-wins-big-impact-celebrating-daily-victories-with-systemic-sclerosis/
The other day, I woke up to sunshine streaming through my window. Finally, I thought, a sign that spring is coming! I stepped outside in a light jacket, ready to embrace the fresh air—only to be met with icy wind that cut straight through me. By noon, the sun was shining again like nothing had happened. Welcome to Michigan weather, where winter and spring battle it out like two kids fighting over the front seat.
It’s been a year of learning to live in tune with my body—one season at a time. I’ve noticed the way the chill of winter lingers in my joints, or how summer’s heat can feel like both a relief and a challenge. I’m no expert, but I’ve become a keen observer. One thing’s certain: my body and the weather have a complicated relationship. Some days, they dance. Other days, they fight.
Image generated using AI to reflect the theme: How the Seasons Play Games with My Body
Winter: The Season of Betrayal
Here’s something magical about winter—as long as I’m watching it from inside, wrapped in a blanket with a warm cup of tea. The moment I step outside, though? Instant regret. My hands go numb before I can find my keys, and my joints start complaining like they’re unionizing.
Raynaud’s kicks in out of nowhere – One moment my hands are fine, and the next, they look like they’ve been swapped with a snowman’s. Not exactly functional.
Dry air does a number on my skin – No matter how much lotion I use, winter air seems determined to turn my skin into cracked parchment.
Energy drain and stiff joints – Getting out of bed feels like wading through molasses. And somehow, I’m already exhausted by mid-morning.
What Keeps Me Sane:
✔ Microwavable gloves – Thirty seconds in the microwave and my fingers are back from the dead. Instant relief, minimal effort.
✔ Lotion everywhere – I’ve got a tube in every corner of my life—car, purse, nightstand, even the kitchen. Dry hands don’t stand a chance.
✔ Smart layering – Forget bulky sweaters. Thin thermal layers are the real MVPs—cozy without making me look like I’m wearing half my closet.
Spring: The Sneaky Season
Spring acts like it’s here to save the day, but let’s be real—it’s a hot (or cold) mess. One minute, it’s 60 degrees and sunny. The next? A random snowstorm. And the worst part? The wind.
How Spring Plays Games with Me:
Barometric pressure shifts = instant “off” feeling – Headaches, joint pain, fatigue. I can feel the weather changing before it even happens.
High winds make everything worse – I don’t know why, but wind saps my energy and makes my body tense up.
Allergies join the party – Just when I think I’m safe, pollen rolls in and reminds me I am, in fact, not.
How I Fight Back:
✔ Checking the barometer like it’s my job – If I know a pressure drop is coming, I mentally prepare for a rough day.
✔ Hand warmers, even in spring – Because Michigan spring is unpredictable and my hands don’t trust it.
✔ Allergy meds = always stocked – Pollen is sneaky, but I’m sneakier.
Did I Forget Summer? Of Course I Did—It Barely Exists
Man, it’s Michigan—summer leaves before it even arrives. We get maybe two good weeks before the humidity kicks in, the mosquitoes take over, and the air feels like a sweaty blanket. Then, just as I start adjusting? Boom! Fall shows up, uninvited.
How Summer Tries (and Fails) to Stick Around:
It’s either 90 degrees or 60—there’s no in-between.
Humidity makes me feel like I’m walking through soup.
Swelling = fingers and feet feel like they belong to someone else.
How I Pretend to Enjoy It:
✔ Strapable water bottle = non-negotiable – If I’m going to sweat, I better be hydrated.
✔ Cooling towels & misting sprays – Michigan might ditch summer early, but while it’s here, it’s hot.
✔ Loose, breathable clothes – Because tight waistbands in the heat? No thanks.
Final Thoughts: Seasons, You Win This Round
Okay, Mother Nature—I get it. You’ve got jokes. One minute I’m basking in sunshine, the next I’m buried under ten layers of thermals, wondering why my knees sound like popcorn. It’s been a ride.
But after enough seasonal whiplash, I’ve picked up a few survival hacks that make the chaos slightly more bearable. (Shoutout to my microwave gloves. MVP.)
Now I’m curious—what’s your secret weapon for surviving seasonal shenanigans? Spill the tea. Or better yet, grab a cup and let’s compare notes.
–Nitya
