If you love the distinct change of seasons, you probably won’t appreciate Florida. The southeastern state is pretty consistent weather-wise, famed for its endless sunny days.
Well, Florida isn’t called the Sunshine State for nothing. On average, the state gets 237 days of sunshine annually, with some areas exceeding 260 days.
But there’s a catch to having that many sunny days in an almost entirely coastal state. Aside from the heat, the air moving across the water picks up water vapor, which raises humidity levels on land.
Humidity in Florida can be intense, picking up from around April through September. These months may feel impossibly hot because humidity affects the body’s ability to cool down.
But is the humidity in Florida all that bad?
While uncomfortable, Florida’s high humidity can actually benefit your health. Here are some of the benefits of humidity.
It Hydrates Your Skin
While dry weather is terrible for your skin, humid weather isn’t. You won’t have to worry about your skin cracking or flaking because it’s not moisturized.
The humid environment in Florida can help maintain your skin health through the water vapor in the air that acts as a natural moisturizer. The moisture keeps your skin hydrated, which prevents issues associated with dryness.
If you have been spending a fortune on moisturizers, you will find the humidity good for your purse as well.
It Helps Allergies
If you suffer from allergic reactions that cause discomfort in the throat and nasal cavity, such as asthma and bronchitis, you may feel better in a high-humidity place like Florida.
The moisture in the air can help relieve the tissue in your throat and nose, in turn relieving allergy symptoms.
Unlike dry air, which can irritate the respiratory tract and worsen conditions like asthma and other allergic reactions, a humid atmosphere soothes and opens airways, relieving respiratory issues.
Keep in mind, however, that too much humidity can also be harmful, so the benefits to your respiratory health lie in moderate to slightly high humidity.
It Can Improve Your Sleep
As the air becomes dry outside, you could struggle to sleep due to dehydration to your skin, mouth, lips, and throat. That’s why you may find yourself unable to sleep without the humidifier running due to a choking sensation or irritation.
The humidity levels in Florida are high enough to keep your bedroom sufficiently humid, promoting good sleep.
It May Ease Sinus Issues
Like the case with respiratory problems, if you have sinus issues probably associated with the flu, like a runny or stuffy nose, humidity can help.
If your nose is runny, dry air can worsen it by triggering more mucus production. It can also thicken the mucus, which will make it harder to clear. Humidity resolves the problem by relieving irritation and thinning out mucus.
Currently, however, study results are still inconclusive regarding the effectiveness of humidity on nasal symptoms.
It Can Fight Infections
It’s wrongly understood that high humidity is a breeding ground for bacteria and microbes. However, new studies reveal that microbes thrive better in dry air.
As it turns out, high humidity can deactivate microbes by making the air less inhabitable. With the chances of survival for microbes decreased, your body will have an easier time dealing with infections.
It May Ease Joint Problems
Humidity may ease your joints. If you have arthritis, an injury, or other joint problems, the moisture in the air may reduce stiffness and discomfort, providing relief.
Florida’s warm and humid climate creates an ideal environment for supporting joint flexibility, which may relieve arthritis symptoms.
If you are suffering from a painful condition like arthritis, you may take advantage of the humidity in combination with treatment to ease your discomfort.
You could keep things natural by using herbal treatments like marijuana. Even though marijuana can’t cure your problem, it’s known to relieve symptoms of arthritis and joint issues.
The good thing is medical marijuana is legal in Florida, with services available to help set you up quickly.
Conclusion
While the humidity in Florida isn’t a cup of tea for everyone, it’s not all bad. It’s good to appreciate the various health benefits associated with the state’s sultry atmosphere. If you find yourself struggling with Florida’s summer weather, thinking about the positive side may help you feel better.