It’s a normal human tendency to feel cold at times. But some of us tend to feel cold more often than others. This feeling of coldness also remains in the body long after the temperature has returned to normal or the body has recovered from a cold or fever. If you wonder as to why this happens, take a look at some of the common causes for being cold all the time. You may also want to take a look at some treatments for the condition while you are at it.
Common Causes for Chronic Coldness
If you feel cold continuously, here are some possible causes for the same apart from the usual fever and a cold environment.
- Infections
An infection can possibly cause a sudden drop in your body temperature, causing you to feel cold instantly. Infections accompanied with fever are more prone to cause these sudden chills.
- Low Body Weight
A low body mass index (BMI) can also make you feel cold. Low body weight entails you to low levels of fat needed to insulate the body.
- Anemia
An iron deficiency in your system can trigger frequent bouts of chronic coldness. Reduced iron levels reduce blood circulation in your body. This, in turn, reduces the heat in the cells, making you feel cold.
- Hypothyroidism
This condition causes the thyroid gland to produce less thyroid hormone. Reduced hormone levels can cause poor blood circulation which, in turn, can cause chronic coldness.
- Dehydration
Water makes up more than 60% of the human body. Adequate water level in the body will help to trap heat and release it slowly into the system. Less water makes the body more sensitive to sudden temperature changes, thus making you feel cold the instant the weather changes.
- Other underlying medical conditions
Another reason you may be feeling cold for prolonged periods is hypothermia. This condition is characterized by a steep fall in body temperature, and should be dealt with immediately. People with cold intolerance find it harder to get warm and thus, feel cold continuously. Common causes for cold intolerance include anemia, anorexia, hypothyroidism and Raynaud’s disease.
Treatments for Chronic Coldness
- Proper BMI
It is essential that you maintain a proper BMI either by losing weight if you are obese, or gaining a few pounds if you are underweight. A proper BMI will help regulate the body temperature and make you more immune to the effects of temperature changes, including chronic coldness.
- Increased Muscle Mass
Bulking up your muscle mass can help your body maintain its temperature. Muscles produce heat in addition to boosting body metabolism. An increased metabolism will, in turn, lead to improved blood circulation. This will help the body retain heat. So consider hitting the gym on your spare time to build some muscle mass and inner heat.
- Proper Hydration
You need to keep the water levels in your body intact in order to avoid getting cold all the time. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Drink more number of these glasses after exercising as this is when the body loses most of its water.
- Proper Iron Levels
If you are anemic, consider taking supplements to treat the condition. On the other hand, you can also opt for foods that have high levels of iron in them. These include eggs, meat, spinach, broccoli and seafood, etc.
- Meditation
Anxiety and stress are major contributors to chronic coldness in individuals. If you feel anxious and stressed out most of the time, chances are you will also feel cold during these intervals. Hence, in order to tackle chronic coldness, you need to tackle these conditions first. And one of the best ways to do that is via meditation.
Meditation helps calm the body and mind, reducing stress and anxiety in the process. You can also try deep breathing exercises to calm your mind and reduce stress levels. This will help you get rid of chronic coldness in the long run.
Chronic coldness can lead to a feeling of being cold all the time. It is imperative that you understand the reasons for this coldness in order to treat the condition effectively with these tips.