Can you train yourself not to feel cold?

Arabia Weather - Previously, the number of people who had central heating was less, and the temperature of the average house in winter was approximately 12 degrees Celsius , and it is clear that this situation did not pose any threat to maintaining the core body temperature at about 36.5 degrees Celsius.

Although I appreciate his gas boiler and the wood-burning stove in the corner of the room, the sounds of them working remind me of a question I've always had about whether I could be one of those rosy-cheeked people who comes into the store on a cold winter's day wearing only light clothing. In February, without feeling cold.

Can you train yourself not to feel cold?

According to Professor Christopher Minson , an expert in human physiology at the University of Oregon, there is hope that humans can gradually adapt to cold temperatures, and he points out that humans have become very sensitive, moving between fully heated or air-conditioned environments.

He believes that this adaptation is unhealthy, as the physiological mechanisms that we rely on for warmth are not exercised naturally. He stresses that the metabolic rate is what maintains our temperature, and points out that there are physiological differences that make some individuals require greater effort to maintain their core temperature. For example, it is noted that men may be leaner due to excess muscle mass, which increases their basal metabolic rate.

Effect of age and heat challenges

There are always exceptions and other reasons why some people feel cold more than others, and age is one of the main factors, as our metabolic rate decreases as we age, and although we all have heat receptors in different parts of the body, they work in an integrated manner to conserve heat, In this context, Minson explains:

“All over your body — your skin, muscles, organs, tissues — they feed information back to the hypothalamus, which is where the big central temperature regulator is.”

Even if the blood temperature in that area is 36.5 degrees Celsius , signals indicating a drop in temperature are perceived as a threat, causing blood vessels in the skin to constrict to reduce heat loss to the outside world. Because of this, individuals wrap their bodies around, adding more heat. Layers for warmth.

It is possible to train ourselves to get out of the routine of thermal comfort, as Minson constantly conducts experiments on himself. He points out that it is possible to gradually tolerate cold when wearing warm clothes during cold days. He narrates his experience by saying:

“The first few days took some adjusting, but after a while, it got easier, and after a few weeks, I felt comfortable even wearing fewer layers.”

Minson emphasizes the benefits of exposure to cold, noting that this can improve our awareness of the threat of cold weather and increase the body's effectiveness in maintaining warmth. He adds:

“This may increase metabolic rate or improve blood vessel constriction.” He believes that this adaptation is beneficial for the health of the body and improves the response to cold stresses.

Strategies to stay warm

One of the obvious causes of goosebumps is sitting for hours at work, with only the eyes and fingers moving. In this context, Professor Minson points out that exercising before sitting may retain warmth for a long time, as its effects can last for about two hours. Naturally, it appears that gaining More muscle mass plays a role in raising your basal metabolic rate, which contributes to keeping you warm.

Regarding nutrition, Minson points out that eating food raises the metabolic rate for a few hours, contributing to the digestion process. It is worth noting that some foods have greater “thermic effects” than others, as fats and proteins generate more heat than simple sugars.

In another context, Minson raises questions about the effect of clothing on cold tolerance, as he points out that human skin can feel wet or damp, which increases our feeling of coldness.

How do you help your body adapt to cold weather?

• Regulating body temperature by removing some layers of clothing and spending more time outside in cool conditions can promote adaptation to the cold.
• Bathing with cold water is considered the quickest way to adapt to the cold, as you can start with a cold bath for a short period and then gradually increase it.
• Spending time in cool environments is safe for most people and provides some health benefits, but individuals at risk for heart disease should take precautions.

Also know:

How does cold weather affect the body during exercise?

What is the best temperature for sleeping?

Sources:

theguardian

altibbi

aawsat