Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but sometimes we still need to go out in it. How does your body adjust to cold temperatures and winter weather?
You body deals with cold temperatures in several ways. It will try to maintain a normal body temperature in as many ways as possible, starting with minor changes if you are a bit chilly and moving on to stronger efforts if you are seriously cold.
Your body will spend energy that it normally uses in other ways by trying to keep warm. It will start to burn carbohydrates to produce lactic acid, which slows down the nervous system. This slows your whole body down a little bit and helps it retain heat. However, this may use up some of your body's resources.
Another way your body retains heat is by reducing the amount of blood flow to your feet, hands, and skin, the areas that are the earliest to get chilled. This not only keeps your blood warmer, it keeps the warmer blood in your core around important organs like your heart, lungs, and brain. The downside is that if you are in very cold temperatures for too long, you run the risk of frostbite to your fingers, toes, and any exposed skin.
If you stay out in the cold, your body will try to generate more heat. It does this by making your muscles and other organs shake. You shiver. This generates heat, but it does so by burning off a lot of energy very fast. But your body can only shiver for so long before it stops shivering and you enter a serious condition called hypothermia. If someone has been shivering and has stopped, get them indoors or wrap them in something warm as soon as possible.
If you have to be out in cold weather, dress appropriately. Wear a warm coat or jacket over layers of clothing. If you wear layers and get too warm, you can always take a layer off. Wear warm socks and solid, waterproof boots or shoes. Put on gloves or mittens and wear a hat.
