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The Benefits of Being Cold

theatlantic.com

81–90 of 181 posts

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#81
I used to dislike the cold, always feeling I suffered greatly from it due to growing up in poverty in the UK and living in damp spaces (mould on the walls, condensation on the window, a cough always a breathe away).

Then I was homeless, sleeping rough through UK winters.

One does adapt, and fairly quickly too. The first nights I slept out during snowfall I didn't get much sleep as I was shivering too violently and uncontrollably. On subsequent nights I discovered cardboard (helps prevent the moisture from dew covering your body and subsequently freezing, as well as acting like an air cocoon around you holding warmer air to the body).

It was still below freezing on those nights, but I'd adapted the environment enough to remove the most severe effects. In turn, I was able to adapt to the temperature itself. I would feel myself slow down, and fall into very deep and peaceful sleeps.

It's been a long time since I was homeless, and I am fortunate now to have a roof above my head during winter. One thing remains though, I still never use the heater and leave all of the windows open in my flat. Last night was -2'c in London with a Northerly wind, and yet all of my windows were left open and I slept soundly.

For me, I tend to have a problem in the other extreme now: I find it hard to stay awake or do anything when the temperature is too high (above 30'c) and plan most holidays to be in cold climates or off-seasons so as to ensure I get the most out of them (side-effect of also being cheaper and avoiding a crush of tourists too).

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#82
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Could you please elaborate on running being damaging?

It messes with your knees and heel. When you take a step during a run, your leg lands with your entire body slamming into it. There are ways to run that are less damaging (better equipment, like socks and shoes, or using the technique where you largely only make contact using the balls of your feet), but it doesn't change the fact of a shock happening. That said, it's unlikely to be so damaging to you as to outweigh…

Less the resistance than the ground, and more than the air.

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#83

What's funny is that the article never suggests that the simplest solution would be to go swimming (Phelps example) instead of resorting to things like the cold vest or sleeping without a blanket. And swimming has more advantages than just being cold : it provides your cardio in a non damaging way (contrary to running) and you gain a valuable skill that can save your life.

I agree, with one caveat: I've read in the past that being cold from swimming tends to make your body think that you are in need of calories. So casual swimmers will eat their workout at the vending machine, the one conveniently placed near the pool exit.

That's what happens with any exercise or anything that uses calories. Your body is meant to survive anything. So any caloric expenditure is met with higher feelings of hunger.

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#84
post #81

I used to dislike the cold, always feeling I suffered greatly from it due to growing up in poverty in the UK and living in damp spaces (mould on the walls, condensation on the window, a cough always a breathe away). Then I was homeless, sleeping rough through UK winters. One does adapt, and fairly quickly too. The first nights I slept out during snowfall I didn't get much sleep as I was shivering too violently and un…

You can also get used to heat. But it takes a while, too, as I learned when I was living in Singapore.

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#85
post #79

What's funny is that the article never suggests that the simplest solution would be to go swimming (Phelps example) instead of resorting to things like the cold vest or sleeping without a blanket. And swimming has more advantages than just being cold : it provides your cardio in a non damaging way (contrary to running) and you gain a valuable skill that can save your life.

>What's funny is that the article never suggests that the simplest solution would be to go swimming or how about some thinking/learning - brain consumes a lot of energy when it works. I mean when it really works - to save energy we push (as result of training/repetition) many things into habit, automatic response territory and thus most of the times our brain doesn't actually "work".

I wonder whether thinking harder does burn more energy.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/thinking-hard-calo... seems to say, not really.

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#86
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, with one caveat: I've read in the past that being cold from swimming tends to make your body think that you are in need of calories. So casual swimmers will eat their workout at the vending machine, the one conveniently placed near the pool exit.

That's what happens with any exercise or anything that uses calories. Your body is meant to survive anything. So any caloric expenditure is met with higher feelings of hunger.

Though while exercising, most people feel a suppression of hunger.

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#87
post #72
post #17

As someone who was a grad student in an apartment with poor heating: it's not worth it. Eat appropriately, and exercise. The bloody cold numbs your brain too. I also remember reading, though I can't find a good source now, that programmers perform better when warmer (until a point, maybe 27 degrees C). Besides, exercising feels good, while this feels bad. Might as well enjoy yourself.

I think you're projecting with this. I find 60 degrees F (around 16 degrees C) comfortable and I'm happy and productive working at that temperature. Getting up past 21 or 22 degrees C and I start hating life.

Do you sit or stand (or lie down or walk etc) to work?

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#88
post #73

What's funny is that the article never suggests that the simplest solution would be to go swimming (Phelps example) instead of resorting to things like the cold vest or sleeping without a blanket. And swimming has more advantages than just being cold : it provides your cardio in a non damaging way (contrary to running) and you gain a valuable skill that can save your life.

The article never talks either about "getting cold" (and being sick). How does it work? Each time I spend a few hours in the cold (e.g. at work in Sydney in summer, they keep the A/C at 19C), I feel like I have a mini-fever for 24hrs. Is it a natural reaction of the body? Does it go away after adaptation?

I occasionally have the same issue: At work all day feeling cold (normally on a Monday as the heating is not on during the weekend) and then I feel like I'm getting a cold, I'm glad it's not just me.

Would love to know why this happens though?

I always figured it was somehow psychosomatic.

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#89

FWIW, I moved from sunny Greece to somewhat cold Austria at the age of (almost) 18. In the following 2 years, I gained quite a bit of body hair (more than typical in the family), which I (now) attribute to the cold temperatures I had to endure during the first winters due to poor heating and light clothing. My point is: perhaps the body has more tricks up its sleeve than just to turn up the heating by burning more ca…

If you are male, don't fret about the hair. As long as you refrain from comb over, you'll be fine.

Re: The Benefits of Being Cold

#90

What's funny is that the article never suggests that the simplest solution would be to go swimming (Phelps example) instead of resorting to things like the cold vest or sleeping without a blanket. And swimming has more advantages than just being cold : it provides your cardio in a non damaging way (contrary to running) and you gain a valuable skill that can save your life.

Agree; but note the study of the Swiss swimming team Limmat Sharks on fat reduction and cardio:

"The results suggest that in terms of beneficial effects on body composition, there is no difference between aerobic exercise on land and in water as long as intensity, duration and frequency of workouts are comparable. [..] However, swimming as the exclusive sport could be problematic, because the small load on the skeleton is not favourable to prevent osteoporosis"

http://limmatsharks.com/Swimming%2BFatReduction/index.html http://www.limmatsharks.com/Fatburner/

Generally, the articles of Limmat Sharks are great reads on swimming. I can't recommend them enough.

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