Magnetic storms in May: Take care of your health

Magnetic storms in May will cause many people to worry about their well-being. In the coming week, scientists are forecasting a powerful geomagnetic storm and several weaker magnetic disturbances. The impact is expected to be so strong that it could lead to health issues and malfunctions in communication sources. Read about magnetic storms from May 5 to 10 and how to protect the body from their effects.
Magnetic storm forecast
According to forecasts from international solar activity monitoring laboratories, the forecast for the coming week is as follows:
May 5, Monday – moderate activity, possible local magnetic storms, in the evening, the indicators will start to rise to a red-level G1 storm
May 6, Tuesday – increased geomagnetic activity, a level G2 (K-index 6) storm
May 7, Wednesday – strong magnetic storm, which during peak hours may reach level G3 (K-index 7-8)
May 8, Thursday – activity will start to decrease, but the storm will persist, level G2 (K-index 6)
May 9, Friday – geomagnetic activity will decrease, moderate fluctuations possible in the first half of the day (level G1), by evening the situation will stabilize
May 10, Saturday – preliminary forecasts indicate that geomagnetic activity will be weak on this day
What is a magnetic storm?
A magnetic storm is a disturbance of the Earth's geomagnetic field caused by solar flares. They release a large number of charged particles that reach our planet’s atmosphere. If the flow is strong, a storm occurs, which is recorded by scientific stations on a scale from G1 to G5.
G1 is moderate, and G5 is extreme. The effects are observed in natural processes, humans, and technology.
How magnetic storms affect humans
The impact of geomagnetic activity can vary individually, but some symptoms occur more frequently:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Migraine
- Nausea
- Increased or decreased blood pressure
- General weakness
- Drowsiness
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Reduced concentration and productivity
- Irritability
- Apathy
- Heightened emotionality
- Acute reaction to various situations
- Aggression
- Mood swings
- Worsening of chronic diseases
- Decreased attention span
The most affected by magnetic storms are weather-sensitive individuals, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with heart or blood pressure issues.
How to protect yourself
According to doctors, the impact of magnetic storms on well-being can be reduced by following certain recommendations:
Sleep no less than 7–9 hours a day and go to bed before 11:00 PM.
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits every day. It's also important to drink enough water.
Avoid large amounts of coffee, coffee-based drinks, and energy drinks. They won’t help with insomnia or fatigue, but can cause headaches, blood pressure issues, or heart problems.
Prohibited: alcoholic drinks, unhealthy (fatty, spicy) food.
Avoid stress, conflicts, and arguments.
On peak days of magnetic storms, avoid additional strain on the body and try to rest more.
In the evening, reduce the use of gadgets.
Be sure to walk in the fresh air and ventilate the room.
People with chronic conditions must not skip their medication and should monitor their blood pressure.
If your condition causes concern, seek medical help.
You may be interested in:
- Why you often have a headache in the morning – doctors name 5 likely reasons
- What mistake people make when drinking water
Sources: NOAA, NASA, Space Weather Prediction Center
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.