In the cold season, laziness surrounds us. We don't feel like getting out of the blanket and doing any work. Some people stop walking or exercising in the winter. As soon as the lifestyle changes, its effect starts showing on the body. In the cold season, not only the elderly but also the young people complain that their joints have become stiff. Is this because of the cold weather, because of laziness or is it some disease?

Blood circulation reduces.
Most people do not keep their body active during winter. Orthopedic specialist Dr. Dipendra Chaudhary says that when they do everything while sitting in one place, when there is no movement of the body, the blood circulation reduces. Blood also does not reach the joints properly, due to which there is a lack of oxygen there. This leads to complaints of stiffness in the joints. The joints also feel cold when touched. At the same time, when the air pressure is low in winter, the tissues of the joints start swelling, which causes pain in them.

Muscles get tensed
. Most of the things get stiff in cold weather. Same happens with the body. If a person keeps walking then the body gets warm but if he does not walk then the body gets stiff. Due to this the muscles also get tensed and they become stiff. 

The lubricant present in the joints gets solidified
. Joints contain synovial fluid. This fluid acts as a lubricant in them. The fluid keeps the joints lubricated by movement. Our joints work just like a machine. If the machine keeps getting oil then it keeps running and if the oil gets lost then it gets jammed. Similarly when this lubricant is present in the joints then there is no pain or stiffness in the joints but in the winter season the synovial fluid thickens or solidifies due to which the joints become stiff.

Vitamin D deficiency
Most Indians have vitamin D deficiency because they do not sit in the sun. When there is a deficiency of this vitamin in the body, the bones start weakening. People who take a lot of calcium to strengthen their bones are unaware of the fact that without vitamin D, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin A cannot be absorbed in the body.

Depression increases pain.
Most of the time in winter, the sun is not visible, days are short and nights are long. Due to this dark environment, many people become victims of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. This is a kind of winter depression which gets cured as soon as the weather changes. Some research has revealed that people who have depression in winter, their joints become sensitive. In such a situation, they feel more stiffness and pain.

Arthritis can also occur.
Often with increasing age, people become victims of arthritis. In this disease, the joints become weak, causing pain and stiffness in them. The immunity of such people also decreases. The problem increases further in the winter season. Arthritis can occur due to deficiency of Vitamin D, C and Calcium. Often women have increased problem of joint pain or stiffness after menopause because the hormone called estrogen stops being produced in their body. This hormone acts as a protective shield for the bones of women. 

Do not forget to walk and workout
. It is very important to walk and exercise in every season. This keeps the body away from diseases. It is even more important to do this in winter. As soon as the sun comes out, go for a walk in the park or workout. Do not sit in one place. Exercising improves blood circulation and ample oxygen reaches every part of the body, which prevents stiffness or pain in the joints. Apart from this, always keep the body warm with warm clothes. For this, wear clothes in several layers. Never leave the joints exposed. Keep them covered with body warmers, woolen socks, gloves, sweaters.  

Drink lots of water:
People often reduce their water intake in winters, which leads to dehydration. Lack of water causes tension in the muscles of the joints because the internal temperature of the body cannot be controlled. Continuous drinking of water keeps the body supplied with oxygen, which maintains energy and the muscles do not get tired. In winters, one should drink only lukewarm or normal water.   

Heat therapy is very useful.
If there is stiffness in the joints, apply hot water bottle. Nowadays many electric hot bags are available, you can also apply heat with them. Always take bath with hot water, you can take sauna bath. If there is stiffness in the joints of hands and feet, paraffin bath is also useful. It is a device which contains paraffin wax. It is placed on the joints and when the body gets warm, this wax is removed.

Include colourful vegetables and fruits in your diet
. Our body is shaped as per the diet we take. If you feel stiffness in your joints in winters, then include anti-inflammation food items in your diet. Colourful fruits and vegetables work as medicine. Take omega 3 rich in nuts, seeds, fish. Citrus fruits, broccoli, capsicum and tomatoes contain vitamin C, which increases the immunity of the body. Include rajma, chickpeas, gram, peas and lentils in your plate. Apart from this, eat saffron, dates and dry fruits, it keeps the body warm. Eliminate fast food, fried food, white refined grains, oil, sugar and packed food from your diet.