Surprising reason some people feel colder than others

The weather has less influence over people’s ability to get and stay warm than most people think, which explains why some of us feel the cold far more than others.

How can some people comfortably trot around in a shirt and shorts in winter claiming to not feel the cold while others can’t emerge from behind the heater without full-body thermals?

The vast difference in how people experience cold weather is actually affected largely by their bodily mechanics, and likely not as much by the outside temperature as most would think.

In what would seem contradictory, people who routinely emerge from their home first thing in the morning for exercise will typically be warmer throughout the day, and not necessarily because of the activity itself, Renovatio Bioscience founder Dr Vincent Candrawinata told news.com.au.

Warmer people will generally have a higher metabolic rate, which essentially means their body is more accustomed to having to generate heat, and therefore will do so with relative ease.

There’s an interesting explanation for why some people feel more cold than others. Picture: Mathew Farrell

“People who are active and exercising every day, they’re actually less prone towards feeing cold because their body is so used to producing a higher amount of heat compared to people who don’t really exercise,” Dr Candrawinata said.

Conversely, those who remain inside until they absolutely need to leave, are more likely to be more affected by the cold.

“Their body is so used to conserving energy, and energy equals heat, so by conserving their energy, the body is actually not producing any heat,” he said.

For this reason people who are immobile, particularly inactive or obese struggle to feel warm even when they’re rugged up.

“When we’re putting on layers, we’re actually not creating heat, we’re just trapping the heat. So when we’re wearing lots of clothes, we’re trying to trap the heat our body is producing,” Dr Candrawinata said.

People who spring out of bed for exercise in the morning have a better chance of being warm throughout the day. Picture: Supplied

“It doesn’t matter how many layers you’re putting on, the amount of heat your body is producing remains the same.”

Feeling particularly warm or cold was also significantly affected by each individual’s circulation rate.

Given heat is distributed out to the body’s extremities via blood flow, inadequate circulation could make it difficult for people to get and stay warm, Dr Candrawinata said.

“It’s why some people don’t necessarily feel cold, but always have very cold hands or feet,” he said.

Poor circulation could result in difficulty getting and staying warm. Picture: Newscorp Daily Telegraph/Gaye Gerard

“It’s one thing to produce heat and it’s quite another to actually distribute heat throughout your body.”

Dr Candrawinata encouraged people keen to improve their chances at being warmer to start their day with exercise, a coffee or tea, and a shower.

“Regardless of whether the shower is cold or warm, you’re signalling your brain to start the day. A lot of people think it’s too cold to shower, but it helps your body to start producing more heat,” he said.

“The metabolic rate that your body registers in the morning determines what it will register throughout the day.”

Some people are seemingly resistant to chilly conditions. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Exercising, showering and having breakfast in the morning will naturally signal the brain to produce energy and heat, Dr Candrawinata added.

As such, people who stay in bed in the morning are likely to feel more cold during the day.

“Kickstarting your day with these activities will help keep you warm throughout the day,” he said.

Unsurprisingly, Dr Candrawinata said maintaining a good exercise and healthy eating routine would also assist in both people’s metabolic and circulatory rate.

“Healthy people should eat well and move a lot, it’s the best way to encourage the production and distribution of heat throughout your whole body,” he said.

He added that reducing inflammation was a major way to increase the body’s overall health, which could be done using a supplement from Renovatio like its Activated Phenolics’ powder or An Apple A Day.