12 Unexpected Reasons for Why You’re Always Cold

1. You have low body weight

Being underweight can be a reason why you’re always cold. Fat works as an insulator, so having less body fat could mean you are not able to hold heat well. And restricting calories can slow down metabolism, which gives your body less energy to heat itself. Your body is smart and won’t use energy if it’s worried that energy is scarce.

2. You might be having diabetes complications

If left untreated, diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy - a condition in which peripheral nerves get damaged. This complication means you might feel constantly cold, pain, or heat seemingly without any reason. It may not be a physical sensation, but just the sensation of being cold. It’s an error in the message sent to the brain from the feet or hands.

3. You have Raynaud’s

A small percentage of the population has Raynaud’s. It’s a condition that leads to spasms in arteries in the hands, feet, and face. When a person is exposed to cold, the spasm makes blood circulation to those areas worse, and they usually feel colder.

4. You have a poor sleep

Not getting a full night’s sleep could be another culprit of excessive chills. Though studies on sleep and feeling cold are mixed, chronic fatigue can slow down metabolism which can leave you feeling chilly during the day.

Plus, your body temperature tends to change at night, and your body gets used to that cycle. If you’re staying up later than usual, your core body temperature might drop during the same time it would if you were asleep. Visit a general doctor and they will create a treatment plan depending on the severity of your insomnia.

5. You’re a woman

You’ve probably heard at least once that women often feel colder than men. According to a 1998 study, women’s core temperatures tend to be about 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than men’s, their hands are almost 3 degrees colder on average. Though it’s not a big difference, it might be why women have the sensation of feeling colder.

6. You have low iron levels

Anemia could be the root cause of your shivers. Your red blood cells require iron to carry oxygen into the blood. Low levels of iron can negatively impact your blood circulation. Coldness in the hands and feet is most pronounced since the body is smart, therefore it diverts blood to vital organs such as the heart and brain first.

Meat is the best dietary source of iron. Leafy greens and legumes are good sources as well, but it’s best to pair them with vitamin C-rich food like red pepper for maximum absorption.

7. You don’t consume enough fat

Have you ever noticed that you crave warm, hearty foods in the winter? Fat helps your body feel satiated and warmer. Low-fat diets that replace healthy foods like avocado, nuts, and seeds with cooling foods like fruits and juices might leave you feeling cold.

8. You have poor blood circulation

Some people may have poor blood circulation due to chronic health conditions such as vascular disease or peripheral arterial disease. If your feet and hands are cold but can’t be linked to any chronic health issues, you may just naturally have poor circulation. Regular exercise and acupuncture can help bring feeling back to your hands and feet.

9. You lack vitamin B12

People may think they’re not getting enough iron when it’s really a B12 problem. Vitamin B12 anemia can lead to coldness, numbness, and low energy. Like iron, most B12-rich foods include meats, so vegetarians may have a tough time getting enough B12.

Vitamin B12 is contained in eggs, yogurt, and cheese. Vegans can sprinkle nutritional yeast or eat baked potatoes. If you are a vegan, talk to your doctor about regular tests for vitamin B12 levels to make sure you’re getting enough. Nutritional yeast isn’t always enough to get adequate levels of the vitamin.

10. You’re dehydrated

When your body doesn’t get enough fluids, it’s not able to circulate blood as effectively. Water also holds heat, meaning dehydration can leave your body without H2O’s temperature-retaining effects. To keep your body well-hydrated, make sure you drink half your weight in ounces of water. For instance, if you weigh 130 pounds, try and drink 65 ounces throughout the day.

11. You don’t have enough muscle mass

Muscle mass produces heat in order to keep the rest of your body warm. Make sure to stay active and keep up a good exercise routine.

12. You have a thyroid condition

When your thyroid gland doesn’t create enough thyroid hormone to regulate your metabolism, this can make you feel cold all the time. If you have other symptoms of thyroid disorder, such as hair loss, constipation, goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), pale skin, unexplained weight gain, or constant fatigue, ask your healthcare provider for a blood test for hypothyroidism.