8 Reasons Some People are Just Colder than Others

Before we even get into this, we have to take a look at the difference between feeling cold and being cold.

There is a BIG difference, and because of this the headline should read, “8 Reasons Some People Feel Colder than Others”

Being Cold vs. Feeling Cold

Being cold is dangerous. When the body temperature lowers even just slightly, hypothermia can set in and severe damage to the body can occur.

Feeling cold can happen while your body temperature remains within the realm of safe temperatures, but outside influences make you feel cold. In fact, feeling cold can even cause the body’s core temperature to rise as it tries to preserve heat. This is the topic of the article. Feeling cold.

Feeling Cold

There are many different reasons you might feel colder than your friends.
Let’s break them down.

1. Body Fat. This one is simple. The more fat you have under your skin, the better insulated you are from winter’s bitter bite.
2. Age. The cold fact of getting older is that your body just isn’t as good at regulating temperature. For many reasons, but we’ll explore a few of those individually.
3. Sex. Women are more prone to feeling cold than men. A different genetic makeup makes it more difficult for women to regulate body temperature.
4. Size. We already talked about girth, but height plays a major role as well. A taller person will have a harder time with circulation as blood has farther to go. That same person also has more surface area to be affected by cold than a shorter person of the same build.
5. Sleep. Sleep is far more important than any of us working adults will ever admit. Everything from metabolism to stress to reduced brain activity can lead to your body not regulating heat very well.
6. Dehydration. Drink more water. Water in your body helps you regulate your body temperature. I could explain, but instead hit the water bottle extra hard on the next cold day and notice the difference yourself.
7. Not enough muscle. I’m not telling you to pump iron until you look like Arnold, but increased muscle mass will do everything from increase your metabolism to add a thick coat of insulation.
8. Medical Issues. There are a host of medical issues that might have you feeling a bit chilled. Anything from thyroid problems to diabetes to an iron deficiency can keep you chilled. If you try the other stuff and remain cold, it never hurts to see a doctor! There might be a bigger issue at play.

Now What

This is the part of the article I offer solutions to your winter woes.

I think I did a decent job in the above section. (At least on the ones you can do something about)

But there are always things you can do to stay warm if you know you are a cold person. Here are a few of my personal favorite ways of trapping that wondrous warmth.

1. Wear socks. I have hated socks my whole life, but recently I decided to wear them so I could keep my job. The side effect of my whole body being warmer is so great I might just keep wearing these silly things forever!
2. Wear a hat. Like socks, this will keep you much much warmer than not wearing one. A little messed up hair is worth the extra warmth.
3. Warm beverages. Simply because they are great and holding them in your hands can help warm up those extremities as well!
4. Get active. Moving generates heat, and will warm you up a lot faster than a pile of blankets!
5. Dress in layers. Growing up in Minnesota, this was a biggie. More layers provides more insulation! Simple as that. Two thin layers beats out one thick one every time.
6. Wool. This stuff works. If it’s too itchy for you, try wearing a layer underneath the wool– moisture-wicking is best. Or opt for merino wool that just skips the itch all together!

If you find yourself cold all the time, there are plenty of ways to stay warm! Try out some of these and you’ll be surprised by the results! I promise.

For WeatherNation — Meteorologist Jeremy LaGoo