Taking It Easy When the Weather Makes You Feel Unwell

Typhoon Chan-hom crossed Japan after approaching Honshu from an unusual direction. With sudden changes in atmospheric pressure came headaches, fatigue, and a general feeling of being unwell—a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is simply take the day a little more gently.

Typhoon No. 15, Chan-hom, came straight toward Honshu from the east and crossed the island.

Around two or three in the morning, the rain was incredibly heavy, and it woke me several times.

After days of intense heat and too little water, the trees looked much healthier this morning.

Usually, I think of typhoons as approaching Japan from the southeast and moving northward.

This one, however, followed a very different course, and this morning did not bring the crisp, refreshing weather we often associate with the passing of a typhoon.

Still, the temperature is relatively low, and today’s high is apparently not expected to reach 30°C.

Normally, once the heat lets up, I quickly begin to feel better.

But not this time.

Perhaps because of the low-pressure system, I am not feeling quite myself.

I have a headache, some allergy symptoms, my stomach is not quite right, and my whole body feels sluggish.

I suppose this is what people call “weather-related illness.”

In the past, symptoms like these may simply have been dismissed as vague, nonspecific complaints, but these days they seem to be taken somewhat more seriously.

In particular, when atmospheric pressure changes sharply over a short period of time, as it does with a typhoon, the body may have even more difficulty adjusting.

This may reduce our efficiency at work, and perhaps even increase the risk of making mistakes or having an accident.

On days like this, I would rather try to stay calm, keep a smile on my face, and take things gently.

Fortunately, commuting is less stressful during the Obon holiday period this week, which helps a little.

Some days are better spent not pushing ourselves, but simply moving through them calmly.

 

・・・

atmospheric pressure
The pressure caused by the weight of the air in the atmosphere.
気圧

weather-related illness
Physical symptoms or discomfort that may be associated with changes in weather or atmospheric pressure.
気象病

low-pressure system
An area where atmospheric pressure is lower than in the surrounding region, often associated with clouds, rain, and storms.
低気圧

sluggish
Feeling tired, slow, or lacking energy.
だるい、体が重い

nonspecific complaint
A symptom that is difficult to attribute to one clear medical cause.
不定愁訴、非特異的な訴え

adjust
To become accustomed to a new condition or situation.
適応する、順応する

let up
To become less severe or intense.
弱まる、和らぐ

take things gently
To avoid pushing oneself too hard and proceed at an easy pace.
無理をせず穏やかに過ごす

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