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4 Health Benefits of Being Cold
Cold weather has a funny way of stirring up mixed feelings, as some love the cold while others miss the warm weather. As we temporarily say goodbye to days at the beach and hello to the beauty of winter, the chill air might surprise you with its health benefits. From mental and physical boosts to positive impacts on your daily routine, here are four health benefits of being cold.
Reduces Soreness
Cold temperatures are a powerful tool for reducing soreness after exercising. A utilized recovery method for athletes is cold-water immersion, also known as an ice bath, which reduces the degree of exercise-induced muscle damage. Cold water causes your blood vessels to constrict, slowing blood flow and relieving some swelling and soreness after a long run or workout session.
Enhances Sleep Quality
Being cold plays a role in your overall quality of sleep. While a warm bath or shower may help you fall asleep, being too warm throughout the night disrupts rest and can result in waking up in the middle of the night. Since your body’s core temperature naturally drops when preparing for sleep, keeping your bedroom cold can help your body reach this state faster. Melatonin is also naturally produced when exposed to colder temperatures, a chemical that causes you to fall asleep and monitors your body’s sleep-wake cycle.
To create the ideal sleeping environment, it’s recommended that your bedroom be between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Going the extra mile by incorporating alternative methods to lower your body temperature, such as using cooling pillows or sticking one foot out from under the covers, is also a good way to boost your chances of getting quality sleep.
Increases Calories Burnt
Working out in the cold increases the amount of calories you burn. When the temperature drops, your body works much harder to maintain its core temperature, increasing your metabolism and burning more calories to generate heat. Feeling cold also triggers white fat to transform into calorie-burning brown fat. Brown fat is much more firm and easier to shed, especially when exercising in the cold. Brown fat is activated to burn energy to stay warm and can lower the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Improves Overall Mood
The cold isn’t just good for cozying up indoors; it improves mental health in several ways. It causes the prolonged release of dopamine, a powerful molecule capable of elevating mood and boosting overall happiness. Your body’s response to the cold also activates its thermoregulatory mechanisms, causing the release of endorphins and an increase in norepinephrine levels, which increase alertness and focus.
Given how busy this time of year is—juggling shopping and gift giving, plans with friends and family, and wrapping up work or school projects for the year—applying techniques that clear your mind can give your mental health a much-needed boost.
There are many health benefits of being cold, whether lifting your spirits or enhancing your physical health. Keep a bottle of Absopure Water close by to stay hydrated while embracing this beautiful, cold weather and spend the holiday season with loved ones feeling energized and healthy!
