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There's lots of reasons you may prefer warmer weather over the cold. But one thing you may not have thought about is how the weather where you live affects your body.

As it turns out, climate and temperature can have a big impact on your health.

And while you may have your own preferences, the facts are clear: there's lots of health benefits to living in warm weather.

So pack up your parka, step outside, and let the sunshine in.

5 Benefits of Living in Warm Weather

1. Get More Sunlight

Sunlight exposure increases your body's vitamin D levels. Vitamin D can prevent cancer, provide higher energy levels, and keep your bones strong and healthy.

And even though Vitamin D is so important for your health, researchers at Central Washington University claim that 77% of people are vitamin D deficient because they don't get enough sunlight.

If you're locked up most of the year indoors because of cold temperature, ice and snow, it may be time to consider a move somewhere with more sunshine. Just remember to get a moderate amount, because getting too much sunlight can be harmful as well.
Related Article: Why You Need More Sunlight: The Benefits of Vitamin D
2. Be Physical

Let's face it - you're probably more motivated to exercise, or just get up and go, when it's nice outside. The couch and TV just look a little less appealing when the sun is shining through on a clear day. And research backs this up.

One research study showed that teenagers are more active in the summertime and less active in winter. In a region with warm weather year-round, exercise and physical activity become the norm.
Related Article: Little Known Exercise Facts That Could Affect Your Memory
3. Improve Your Memory

Research shows that your overall alertness & mental performance is at its best when your body temperature is high. Staying warm in nice weather helps keep you alert and improves your memory.

And sure, you can keep your body temperature up regardless of the temperature outside, but it's a lot easier when you don't have to wear 7 layers just to stay warm.

4. Warm Weather is Safer

Studies have shown that death rates are higher in cold climates. People who have easy access to heat & good housing may not be as affected, but for those who are struggling, the winter & cold weather could be a killer.

5. It's Better for Your Heart & Lungs.

Cold weather can have a negative impact on your health, especially your heart and respiratory system. When your body works to regulate heat, your blood pressure can increase to unhealthy levels, causing long-term damage.

The Takeaway

There's more to living in a warm area than just getting the benefit of a healthy tan. Warmth and sunlight can offer real benefit to your health. From improved heart and lung health, to enhanced mental performance, living in a warm climate may give you just the health boost you need.

Photo by Paloika
Originally published 8/13 and updated 11/14.

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5 Reasons Warm Weather is Good For Your Health

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There's lots of reasons you may prefer warmer weather over the cold. But one thing you may not have thought about is how the weather where you live affects your body. As it turns out, climate and temperature can have a big impact on your health.

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Geography for Kids: The Arctic and the North Pole

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Kids learn about the North Pole and the Arctic. This cold and remote area of the world which is covered with ice.

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Fast meerkat facts

Scientific name: Suricata suricatta
Family name: Herpestidae
Classification: Mammal
IUCN status: Least concern
Lifespan (in wild): 12-14 years
Weight: Less than one kilogram
Body length: Around 29cm (plus a 19cm tail)
Top speed: 32 km/h
Diet: Omnivore: beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and scorpions. They'll also eat small reptiles, birds, eggs, fruit and plants.
Habitat: Desert
Range:

There are few animals on Earth who work as well together as meerkats. These squirrel-size members of the mongoose family live in groups of different sizes, from as little as three to as big as 50 members. everyone in the mob participates in gathering food, keeping a look out for predators and taking care of the babies.

Meerkats live in the deserts and grasslands of the southern tip of Africa. They are super cute, with bushy, brown-striped fur, a small, pointed face and large eyes surrounded by dark patches. They average about 50 centimetres long, including their tail. These extremely social animals live together in burrows, which they dig with their long, sharp claws. Living underground keeps mob members safe from predators and out of the harsh African heat. These burrows can be 5 metres long and contain multiple entrances, tunnels, and rooms. A group will use up to five separate burrows at a time.

Meerkats only go outside during the daytime. Each morning, as the sun comes up, the mob emerges and begins looking for food. They use their keen sense of smell to locate their favourite foods, which include beetles, caterpillars, spiders and scorpions. They"ll also eat small reptiles, birds, eggs, fruit and plants. Back at the burrow, several babysitters stay behind to watch over newborn pups. This duty rotates to different members of the mob, and a sitter will often go all day without food. The babysitters" main job is to protect pups from meerkats in rival mobs who, if given the chance, will kill the babies. Eeek!

While the rest of the mob forages for food, one of the meerkats (or sometimes more), called a sentry, will find a high point, like a termite mound, and perch on its back legs. From here it scans the sky and desert for predators such as eagles, hawks and jackals. A sentry who senses danger will let out a high-pitched squeal, sending the mob scrambling for cover.

Meerkats dig safe places called bolt holes throughout their foraging area, where they can hide in an emergency. But if caught in the open by a predator, a meerkat will try to look fierce, lying on its back and showing its teeth and claws. If a group is confronted, the meerkats will stand together, arching their backs, raising their hair and hissing. This sometimes fools an attacker into thinking they are a single large, vicious animal.

Meerkats are abundant throughout their range and are not considered threatened or endangered. But they live a very difficult life in the African desert, constantly threatened by hungry predators, rival meerkats, drought and burrow-flooding rainstorms.

Picture credits
Meerkat watching for predator: Joel Sartore, National Geographic Creative. Group of meerkats: Nico Smit, Dreamstime. Meerkat group on rock: tratong, Shutterstock. Meerkat sitting on log: Kjuuurs, Dreamstime. Map of meerkat distribution: National Geographic Maps.

What do you make of our meerkat facts? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

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Meerkat Facts! - National Geographic Kids

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Scientific name: Suricata suricatta Family name: Herpestidae Classification: Mammal IUCN status: Least concern Lifespan (in wild): 12-14 years Weight: Less than one kilogram Body length: Around 29cm (plus a 19cm tail) Top speed: 32 km/h Diet: Omnivore: beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and scorpions. They'll also eat small reptiles, birds, eggs, fruit and plants.

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From Mary Poppins to Happy Feet, penguins frequently appear in movies. Of all the birds, they might be the most lovable. 17 species live in Antarctica and the southern hemisphere. Although most penguins live in snowy areas, they don't seem to mind the cold. Penguins have dense outer feathers that are coated with oil that keeps them dry. Under those feathers are soft, downy feathers. Penguins also have a thick layer of fat under their skin. Penguins actually get too warm sometimes in their feather coats and puff their feathers to cool off.

Fun Facts about Penguins for Kids

Most penguins live near the sea, but migrate inland to have babies.

The male Adelies penguins give females rocks as gifts.

Male and female penguins take turns sitting on the eggs and taking care of the babies.

Male emperor penguins gather together during the winter to protect the eggs. They place the eggs on their feet and huddle over them to keep them warm. They sit in one place for over two months until the eggs hatch. Then the females return to take care of the hatchlings.

Penguins eat krill or fish. Those that eat krill have pink poop. Fish eaters have white poop.

Penguins are excellent swimmers, but they can't fly.

Penguin Vocabulary

Learn More All About Penguins

Penguins are cute creatures. Watch this funny video of penguins:

A video compilation of penguin bloopers.

Penguin Q&A

Question: How big are penguins?

Answer: Emperor penguins are the biggest penguins. They are 4 feet tall and can weigh 65 pounds. That's as big as the average third grader! Rock hopper penguins weigh only 5 pounds and stand 21 inches tall.

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Question: Are penguins endangered?

Answer: Yes, penguin populations have decreased by as much as 80 percent in some areas. Scientists believe climate changes have caused the decrease. Leopard seals and killer whales prey on penguins.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Penguins info? Take the FREE & fun all about Penguins quiz and download FREE all about Penguins worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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From Mary Poppins to Happy Feet, penguins frequently appear in movies. Of all the birds, they might be the most lovable. 17 species live in Antarctica and the southern hemisphere. Although most penguins live in snowy areas, they don't seem to mind the cold.

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Meerkat - Jungle Beats Collection | Songs For Kids And Children | Happy Kids | Jungle Beats

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Why do we wear different clothes in summer and winter?

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Why do we wear different clothes in summer and winter?

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Find out how Year 1 children are taught about the seasons at primary school in our parents’ guide.

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Which animals live in cold places like in the North and South pole?

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Which animals live in cold places like in the North and South pole?

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Antarctic animals - The most abundant and best known animals from the southern continent. Penguins, whales seals, albatrosses, other seabirds and a range of invertebrates you may have not heard of such as krill which form the basis of the Antarctic food web.

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Why does Sunny live in the Kalahari desert?

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Why does Sunny live in the Kalahari desert?

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Here are some facts about the Kalahari Desert.

The Kalahari Desert covers about 350,000 square miles in the southern part of Africa. It includes some of South Africa, Namibia and most of Botswana.

The name Kalahari comes from a local word meaning 'waterless place'. However, because the sand retains water better than some other deserts, there is a variety of plant life.

The Kalahari is known as a semi-desert or savannah, as it receives some rainfall and is able to support more plants and animals than a conventional dry desert.

In the 1965 film, Sands of the Kalahari a group of plane crash survivors try to survive in the desert. The Kalahari also features in the movies The Gods Must be Crazy and The Lion King.

Some of the world's largest diamond mines can be found in the Kalahari Desert. The vast area is also a rich source of copper, nickel and coal and it is home to several large game reserves.

During summer, temperatures can reach over 100 degrees, while winter temperatures can reach freezing. Only one permanent river flows through the Kalahari, the Okavango.

The desert is home to many different species of birds, including the small weaver bird. The weaver bird makes huge nests from twigs and grass on the top of poles and trees.

Several of the world's most dangerous big cats can be found in the Kalahari desert, including the cheetah, lion and leopard. The large antelope known as the Eland is also found here and can weigh almost 2,000 pounds.

One of the world's oldest cultures, the San Bushmen, have lived in the desert for over 20,000 years. The primitive tribes still live as they have for centuries.

Thousands of years ago, the Kalahari Desert supported more plants and animals than it does today, and it had several very large lakes. As the lakes evaporated, they left large salt pans, or craters, which can still be seen today.

What next? Find out more desert facts by visiting our deserts resources page.

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Kalahari Desert: Facts and Information - Primary Facts

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Here are some facts about the Kalahari Desert. The Kalahari Desert covers about 350,000 square miles in the southern part of Africa. It includes some of South Africa, Namibia and most of Botswana. The name Kalahari comes from a local word meaning 'waterless place'. However, because the sand retains water better than some other deserts, ...