We burn more calories when it's cold: 5 things you didn't know happen during winter (2024)

UPDATED: Nov 22, 2017 18:26 IST

Every season comes with its own quirks and experiences, and affects our bodies in different ways. With winter here, your body is bound to experience a number of things.

Most of these are simply reflexes that the human body uses to adapt to the climate changes. We're sure you already know quite a lot of things that happen to your body when the winter chill sets in, and some of them are downright weird--including goosebumps and wrinkled skin.

But do you know why they happen? And what about the invisible effects winter can have on your body?

Also Read: 5 miracle foods that will help you get through winters without falling sick

Here are a few things your body will experience when it gets cold and colder. You probably didn't know that they even happen, let alone knowing exactly why.

1. You shiver to stay warm

Sounds obvious, doesn't it? We all shiver in winters, and that's a given. But did you know that shivering is a reflex your body uses to stay warm? Shivering usually happens when your body's core temperature drops below its usual core temperature. The hypothalamus part of the brain gets activated, and sends the signal to the whole body that you need extra heat.

The muscles of your whole body, especially extremities like hands and feet, start vibrating (or shivering) in response. The best way to deal with shivering, therefore, isn't just putting on more layers of winter-wear. Instead, movement is what is required. Stamp your feet, walk fast or just jump in one spot to get over shivering quickly.

2. You burn calories

How is this possible at all, you ask? You might think that sweating in summers will help you lose weight more than being chilled to the bones in winter, but you're wrong. While sweating in summers is more of a climatic effect, burning calories in winter is an internal one.

What happens is, the body's metabolism rate--the natural ability to use up energy while at rest, that is, without moving at all--goes up. Your body works harder to stay warm by generating its own heat, and so, you end up burning calories without even trying to. It might not be visible enough, but you are more likely to naturally lose weight during winter.

3. You pee a lot more

You've felt it, and rushed to the bathroom often enough, haven't you? But have you ever wondered why you have the urge to pee more often during winters? Well, it's simply because the blood vessels in the body constrict when it gets cold, leading to an increased blood pressure to make the flow more regular.

The easiest way for the body to restore normal blood pressure is by getting rid of excess water through urination. Hence, the frequent calls of nature. If you feel the urge to pee more often during winter, please make sure you do so immediately, to make sure the normal functioning of your body isn't more hindered. A build-up of high blood-pressure can also lead to strokes, so just go pee instead of holding it in.

Also Read: Winter is coming and so are these 5 illnesses

4. You feel low and lazy

The complete reluctance to get out of bed on winter mornings isn't just about your general attitude in life. The days shorten during winters, and the nights are longer. We all experience a dip in vitamin D due to a lack of sunlight, which can dampen anybody's mood.

But another thing that the body witnesses is a rise in melatonin--the hormone which makes us sleepy. This disrupts our natural sleep cycle, and makes us extra-lazy during those overcast wintry days. So if you feel like staying in bed longer than usual tomorrow morning, blame it on the weather.

5. Your vision is compromised

There's a reason why people who go skiing are recommended protective eye-wear. You should know that even if you don't live in the mountains, your eyesight can be compromised during winters. Why, you ask?

Just like the blood vessels in the rest of our bodies, the ones in the eyes also get constricted when it gets colder. As a result, blurred vision is quite a common experience. The body is naturally trying to conserve energy and redirect it to generate more heat, especially in the extremities. Exposure to extreme cold climates without protective sunglasses can also lead to temporary blindness. So, beware!