Always feeling cold? Here’s why – and what you can do about it

1. Why your hands and feet always get cold first

Nature protects your organs. As soon as it cools, your body draws the blood away from your extremities – hands, feet, nose. This keeps the heat in your torso.

In some people, the nervous system overreacts. It constricts blood vessels even with small changes in temperature or even slight stress. This is why sensitive or easily stressed people can get cold fingers in a warm room: their body thinks it needs to fight cold.

Small movements already help – move your toes or twist your wrists to stimulate circulation.

Want to know more? Read our articles about cold hands and cold feet with practical tips to improve your circulation.

2. Too little muscle mass = too little heat

Muscles are your natural heating elements. The more muscle mass you have, the more heat your body produces – even when you are sitting still. So people with a slim build or a sedentary job are more likely to be cold.

Thinner skin (for example, in women or as you age) also plays a role. There is then less fat between the outside air and your blood vessels, so you lose heat faster. Even a small breeze or cold floor can cause a shiver.

Exercise helps: every walk, bike ride or quick stretch provides a boost in blood flow as well as heat production.

And if you’re active outdoors? Our heated socks will keep your feet warm, even in sub-zero temperatures.

3. Women are really colder than men

It’s no myth: women are more likely to be cold. Their skin temperature is slightly lower on average, especially in the hands and feet. This is due to hormonal fluctuations and the influence of estrogen, which makes blood vessels narrower.

During menstruation or menopause, blood circulates more slowly in the limbs, so cold hits more quickly. In addition, women often have low but still “normal” iron and B12 levels. This does not cause an official deficiency, but it does cause less oxygen – and thus heat – to be transported.

The result: cold hands, cold feet, and sometimes even a cold nose – even in the house.

Also read: Who has the coldest hands: men or women?

4. Cold from within: nutrition, iron and your internal thermostat

Staying warm starts from the inside out. Those who skip meals or eat too little imperceptibly lower their body temperature: there is less energy to produce heat.

A second factor is your hypothalamus, the “thermostat” in your brain. In some people, it is tuned more sensitively and reacts too early to small drops in temperature. Their body signals “cold!” even before the temperature really drops – which is why some people are always cold, even with a warm hot water bottle on their lap.

Choose warm, nutritious foods with protein, iron and healthy fats. And be careful with caffeine or alcohol: they make you feel warm for a moment, but then actually make you cool down faster.

Read more about nutrition, hormones, and cold in Why am I always cold.

5. Stress: cold that starts in your head

When stressed, your body produces adrenaline. This constricts blood vessels and temporarily reduces blood flow to your hands and feet. People with sensitive nervous systems react more strongly to this – they literally stiffen from the cold.

A few minutes of deep breathing or relaxation can make all the difference. When you calm down, your blood vessels open again and the heat returns naturally.

Also read the article Is there a connection between being tired and feeling cold?

6. The clothing mistake almost everyone makes

It’s not the thickness of your clothing that counts, but the build-up in layers. If you put on one thick sweater, you are retaining moisture – which actually causes you to cool down faster.

The golden rule:

• Underlayer – breathable and moisture-wicking (thermal clothing)
• Mid layer – insulating (wool or fleece)
• Outer layer – wind and waterproof

This way, moisture can escape, but the warmth stays in. Also check out how heated clothing works and how it regulates your body temperature.

Discover our collection of heated gloves, heated socks, and heated clothing for immediate comfort in the cold.