Is it normal to feel more achey/stiff in the cold weather?

Posted by Maize-Royal@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 19 comments

I feel like my body is aging alot quicker during the winter months with feeling stiff bones and achiness, although admittedly the cold weather doesnt motivate me to move very much! Any tips or advice if anyone experiences similar?

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imtheorangeycenter@reddit

It's not an entirely nonsense old wives' tale that people can feel a cold spell coming via their knees.

Stretch. Religiously.

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huskydaisy@reddit

As my physio bluntly put it last year: Use it or lose it.

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Yes, if my arthritic bones and neuropathy anything to go by. Been arthritic since 15 and cold weather does make things worse.

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Maize-Royal@reddit (OP)

I'm sorry to hear that! have you found if anything helps with it? Is it just trying to stay as warm as possible (although with energy costs these days! 🫠)

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Keep the joints well-covered and wintergreen cream (thanks to my Granny's recommendation). We don't tend to have heating on over winter but then South England so it doesn't go below -2C very often. Thermals are good as give a bit of compression as well. Heat pads are nice or add a pet to a pocket of a hoodie.

And remember to get up and move at least once an hour if sitting - stops things locking up.

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Hammahnator@reddit

Ooooh....which wintergreen cream do you use? I had my hip replaced at 35 and ooof the cold bothers me a lot no matter how much I try to keep the area warm.

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

I have used a few brands - generally the one sold in pharmacies where little old ladies hang out are the best . Those 24hour heat pouches are also good for the really bad days.

I do get this one as I used this pharmacy for my pets' prescriptions. https://hyperdrug.co.uk/george-cricks-wintergreen-ointment-50g

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Hammahnator@reddit

I had a total hip replacement at 35. Pre hip replacement I was stiff and achy, post hip replacement it's stiff, achy and my thigh feels like it gets colder quicker. Getting a matching pair in the next few months and I'm not looking forward to having two cold thighs 😅 body feels like it's about 70

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No_Chemist2922@reddit

Yep completely normal.

I treat it as a wake up call for me to exercise more. If you let the weather bring you down, you're gonna feel shitty all day, and if you feel shitty the weather's gonna shit on you more. I find that staying active really mitigates the effects of the chill.

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whodunnit20@reddit

I think when it’s cold with tend to sit about more, our joints then get stiff. Also if you are really cold you tend to tense up as you feel shivery. What I would suggest is put on your favourite music and get dancing, moving and stretching. Not only does it warm you up, it really lifts your mood. A hot bath helps joints, then put some warm clothes on.

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Maize-Royal@reddit (OP)

those are some good advice, thank you!

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Spicymargx@reddit

I would think it’s usually a sign of an underlying issues rather than just being a normal thing our bodies all do.

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IaIalatte@reddit

i'm young and still feel stiff in winter

i have started to stretch every morning even if i'm in 10 layers lol it helps loads

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WGD23@reddit

See pensioners heading to the Med in winter

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Maize-Royal@reddit (OP)

thatd be the dream, going away to avoid the cold in the winter 😂

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