Feeling Colder Than Others? You Might Be Unknowingly Creating a "Cold-Sensitive" Body Through Daily Habits.

Are You More Sensitive to the Cold Than Others?

When winter arrives, it’s natural to feel the chill of the cold winds and instinctively huddle up for warmth. While wearing warm clothes and using heaters are obvious solutions, have you ever considered that your daily eating habits might be making you more sensitive to the cold? Surprisingly, overeating and late-night snacking are two major culprits that can lower your body temperature. In this post, we’ll explore the eating habits that invite cold into your body and share expert advice on how to develop healthier habits that promote warmth.

 

To stay warm during winter, simply bundling up in layers of clothing may not be enough.

 

Two Eating Habits That Make You Feel Colder

Overeating: It Blocks Heat Circulation and Lowers Body Temperature

Many people believe that eating until they feel full will warm up their bodies. However, the truth is that overeating can have the opposite effect, lowering your core temperature.

Why Does Overeating Lower Body Temperature?

When you overeat, your body diverts blood flow to the stomach and intestines to aid digestion. This process reduces blood flow to other parts of the body, such as the muscles and brain, causing a drop in body temperature. Essentially, all the heat that should be distributed throughout the body is concentrated in the digestive organs.

How Can You Prevent It?

• Eat slowly and in moderation: Avoid eating large portions at once. Instead, eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Avoid late dinners: Finish dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime to give your body enough time to digest food before you sleep.

Late-Night Snacking: Disrupts Your Body’s Rhythm and Lowers Core Temperature

On cold winter nights, it’s tempting to reach for a warm bowl of ramen or a late-night snack. But eating at night has a more significant impact on your body than you might think.

Why Does Late-Night Snacking Lower Body Temperature?

Late-night snacking disrupts your body's natural circadian rhythm. Since metabolism slows down while you sleep, the food you eat before bedtime takes longer to digest. This leads to a buildup of undigested food in the stomach, making you feel bloated and cold. Furthermore, consuming high-fat, high-sugar snacks before bed promotes fat accumulation, especially around the abdomen. This creates a thermal imbalance, with heat concentrating in the abdominal area, while the extremities (hands and feet) get colder.

How Can You Prevent It?

• Avoid eating after dinner: Resist the urge to eat late at night.
• Opt for light snacks: If you must eat, choose a light option like warm herbal tea or a handful of nuts instead of heavy, greasy food.

 

Healthy Eating Habits That Help You Stay Warm

Chew Slowly and Thoroughly

Eating slowly is not only good for digestion but also helps warm up your body.

Why Does Chewing Slowly Help Increase Body Temperature?

The simple act of chewing activates the muscles in your face and jaw, which in turn generates heat. By eating slowly, you also give your metabolism more time to activate, supporting your body's natural ability to generate heat.

How Can You Practice It?

• Take at least 20 minutes to eat your meal.
• Chew each bite at least 30 times before swallowing.

Drink Warm Water Instead of Cold Water

Staying hydrated is essential during the winter months, but drinking cold water can actually lower your body temperature.

Why Is Warm Water Better?

When you drink cold water, it lowers the temperature of your internal organs, reducing your core body temperature. Warm water, on the other hand, helps keep your body's internal temperature stable while promoting better digestion and metabolism.

How Can You Practice It?

• Drink at least 1.5 liters of water daily, but choose warm water or herbal tea instead of cold water.
• Carry a thermal bottle filled with warm water to encourage warm hydration throughout the day.

Eat Foods That Naturally Increase Body Temperature

Certain foods have natural warming properties that stimulate blood circulation and support a higher body temperature.

Top Foods That Keep Your Body Warm

• Ginger: The active compounds in ginger, such as gingerol and shogaol, promote blood circulation, helping to warm your body from the inside out. Try drinking ginger tea for a fast warming effect.
• Pumpkin: Rich in beta-carotene, pumpkin supports blood circulation and has antioxidant properties. Warm pumpkin soup or porridge is especially effective in keeping your body warm.
• Cinnamon: The compound cinnamaldehyde found in cinnamon stimulates blood flow and keeps your body warm. Enjoy it as a tea with ginger for an even stronger warming effect.

 

Additional Tips for Staying Warm This Winter

Control Indoor Humidity

Dry air not only affects your skin but also impacts your body’s ability to maintain warmth.

How Can You Manage Humidity?

• Maintain an indoor humidity level of 40-60%.
• Use a humidifier or hang damp towels in your room to add moisture to the air.

Try Foot Baths and Half Baths

Foot baths and half-body baths are quick and effective ways to boost body temperature.

Why Do Foot Baths Work?

When you soak your feet in warm water, your peripheral blood vessels dilate, improving blood circulation. This process distributes heat throughout your entire body, raising your core temperature.

How Can You Do It?

• Use 40°C (104°F) water for about 15-20 minutes.
• For extra warmth, add ginger slices or herbs like chamomile or lavender to the bathwater.

Get Regular Exercise

Physical activity is one of the best ways to raise your body temperature.

How Does Exercise Help?

When you move, your muscles generate heat. This process boosts your metabolism, raises your heart rate, and increases blood flow, all of which help maintain a higher body temperature.

How Can You Practice It?

• Do daily stretching or light home workouts to maintain circulation.
• Focus on lower body exercises, like squats and leg raises, to generate more heat, as the legs have larger muscle groups.

 

Conclusion

To stay warm during winter, simply bundling up in layers of clothing may not be enough. Your daily eating habits play a crucial role in maintaining body temperature. Overeating and late-night snacking can cause blood to be redirected to your digestive organs, lowering your core temperature. On the flip side, you can boost your body heat by chewing food slowly, drinking warm water, and eating foods like ginger, pumpkin, and cinnamon.

 

This winter, why not try improving your eating habits for a warmer, healthier season? Small changes can make a big difference. Stay warm, stay healthy, and enjoy the winter to its fullest.