Why Some People Are Always Freezing?

Are you constantly cold, no matter where you are? Wondering why? Dr. Christopher Minson, a body temperature expert, explains the science behind it.

In simple terms, feeling cold or warm depends on the body’s “set point” for temperature, which is influenced by various thermal inputs in the brain, blood, organs, muscles, and skin. When skin temperature drops, even if the body’s core temperature is normal, you feel cold and react accordingly, like putting on a sweater.

Interestingly, this often affects women more than men, possibly because women and older individuals tend to have lower muscle mass relative to body surface area. Even though their core temperature may be fine, they feel cold because their body signals them to conserve heat.

Women may also have more blood vessels near the skin’s surface, making them more cold-sensitive, though this theory lacks strong supporting data.

As for those chilly feet in bed, it’s linked to the lower body mass-to-surface area ratio in women. To preserve warmth, the body reduces blood flow to the extremities (hands and feet), causing cold hands and feet, especially in women.

If you’re always cold, there are a few things you can try. Increasing muscle mass can boost your metabolic rate, although it’s not easy. Exposing yourself to short bursts of cold, like a minute of cold shower, may also help some people get used to feeling less cold.

However, if your perpetual coldness is accompanied by lethargy, low motivation, or other symptoms, it might be wise to consult a doctor. Abnormally low thyroid hormone levels could be a rare underlying cause, which can be identified with a blood test.

Re-reported from the article originally published in Upworthy