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Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

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Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#51

Post by trhway »

forgotmypw17 wrote: post #33
goblin89 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. From my experience, coldness of feet is correlated with blood circulation. There are periods when my feet are cold (going together with the restless legs syndrome at night), and I think it goes away when circulation improves. My theory is that exposing feet to elements is another trick to improve blood flow to them, I’ve been meaning to try that.

If you don't have any snow to walk through, just give 'em an ice water dip. You can do your whole body, too, with similar benefits. It's uncomfortable, but what isn't... In my experience, and I've not found any studies to support this, restless legs correlates with oxygen levels vs carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide levels. Check your air.

>restless legs correlates with oxygen levels

yep, my RLS has pretty much gone since i started iron&B12 supplementation after i discovered anemia on my blood test (i have a condition affecting B12)

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#52

Post by 74d-fe6-2c6 »

unixhero wrote: post #50
brnt wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to never be cold. Could sit in open below 0C air after a shower without cooling down. I never really wore thick sweaters, where some would insist in them. Then I moved to a Mediterranean climate. When I go back now, I find I've become a wuss. Can't handle cold at all anymore.

Wool my friends. It is the only way.

but wool is so itchy and scratchy, isn't it?

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#53

Post by Ekaros »

ericmay wrote: post #3
Retric wrote: post #2

This doesn’t explain why the interstitial fluids and cells themselves in a birds feet avoid freezing. Presumably, either their feet can simply be maintained at slightly above freezing or they use some form of antifreeze. Does anyone know?

I don’t know, but I’m always amazed at how animals don’t just all freeze to death and die. I know that many do but still.

Evolution? We are rather different from those species that have adapted to colder climates. But there really is quite many ways to combat it. Move underground or even under snow, eat enough. In general have sufficient metabolism and insulation.

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#54

Post by simonebrunozzi »

forgotmypw17 wrote: post #25

This is anecdata. I am also not a bird. Inspired by Wim Hof, I've started doing short barefoot snow walks. Within days, even between multiple walks on the same day, my feet became more cold-tolerant. They now recover from the cold faster, stay warm in the snow longer, and when I'm indoors, my feet are no longer cold without socks. My feet used to be cold to the touch and feel cold subjectively without socks.

I don't have a proper opinion on Wim Hof and his methods. On one side, he seems a nice, genuine person. On the other, I've read things that didn't necessarily add credibility to his methods.

Plus, his appearance on Gwyneth Paltrow's show (considered by many non scientific) was a bit of a downer for me.

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#55

Post by dreamer7 »

74d-fe6-2c6 wrote: post #52
unixhero wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wool my friends. It is the only way.

but wool is so itchy and scratchy, isn't it?

Have you tried pashmina? If there existed a real invisibility cloak, it would be made of pashmina! Soft, thin and magically warm

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#56

Post by globular-toast »

74d-fe6-2c6 wrote: post #52
unixhero wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wool my friends. It is the only way.

but wool is so itchy and scratchy, isn't it?

It depends on the wool. Finer wool like Merino wool tends to be nicer to wear directly on your skin. But you don't have to do that. You can and should wear cotton underwear. The extra layer keeps you even warmer and means you won't have to wash your outer wear all the time (wool should not be washed more than is absolutely necessary and ideally not at all). You'll also find heavier garments encase the wool in an outer material like cotton. You can get cotton duvets like this and they are wonderful. You can use them all year round. I will never go back to polyester again.

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#57

Post by m463 »

74d-fe6-2c6 wrote: post #52
unixhero wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wool my friends. It is the only way.

but wool is so itchy and scratchy, isn't it?

Wool socks are amazing. Warm and more importantly dry.

In a similar way down comforters are wonderful (get the right weight).

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#58

Post by globular-toast »

forgotmypw17 wrote: post #25

This is anecdata. I am also not a bird. Inspired by Wim Hof, I've started doing short barefoot snow walks. Within days, even between multiple walks on the same day, my feet became more cold-tolerant. They now recover from the cold faster, stay warm in the snow longer, and when I'm indoors, my feet are no longer cold without socks. My feet used to be cold to the touch and feel cold subjectively without socks.

Acclimatisation is real. I've noticed a trend in the UK over the past 20 years or so. Previously many people, like my parents, used the central heating minimally. It would come on in the morning just to take the edge off in the winter. But that was pretty much it. Nowadays people are trying to keep their house the exact same temperature year round. That means it's warm in the winter and (if you have ac) cold in the summer. But people never acclimatise to the outside temperature as a result. So outside always feels way colder than it really should, or way hotter.

This winter I've reduced my study temperature (where I work every day) from 21 degrees to 19 degrees. It didn't take that long to acclimatise and now I'm not only saving money, I'm more closely acclimatised to the outside temperature.

I think ideally we wouldn't use thermostats, but instead use a system that adjusts inside temperature some percentage towards the ideal. So in winter when it's 0 degrees outside it's 17 degrees inside, and in summer when it's 30 degrees outside it's 25 degrees inside. Just think of the savings and how much nicer it will be to go outside when you're acclimatised.

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#59

Post by DeusExMachina »

simonebrunozzi wrote: post #54
forgotmypw17 wrote: post #25

This is anecdata. I am also not a bird. Inspired by Wim Hof, I've started doing short barefoot snow walks. Within days, even between multiple walks on the same day, my feet became more cold-tolerant. They now recover from the cold faster, stay warm in the snow longer, and when I'm indoors, my feet are no longer cold without socks. My feet used to be cold to the touch and feel cold subjectively without socks.

I don't have a proper opinion on Wim Hof and his methods. On one side, he seems a nice, genuine person. On the other, I've read things that didn't necessarily add credibility to his methods. Plus, his appearance on Gwyneth Paltrow's show (considered by many non scientific) was a bit of a downer for me.

I have friends who followed a workshop with him and had good results.

He also claims to have studies that support his method. I don't know if that's true, but I would look there more than the shows he's been on. If he wants to reach larger audiences, he will surely accept any invite.

Re: Why Birds Don’t Get Cold Feet

#60

Post by gspr »

m463 wrote: post #57
74d-fe6-2c6 wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

but wool is so itchy and scratchy, isn't it?

Wool socks are amazing. Warm and more importantly dry. In a similar way down comforters are wonderful (get the right weight).

Even more importantly: wool still insulates really well when wet.
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