December 15, 2025 — ZenX News Desk
As winter temperatures drop, a familiar pattern emerges—while some people reach for extra layers and blankets, others appear largely unaffected by the cold. This common experience raises a simple but intriguing question: why do some people feel colder than others? Experts say the answer lies in a mix of biology, health, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Body Composition Plays a Key Role
One of the biggest influences is body fat. Fat acts as an insulating layer, helping retain heat. People with lower body fat percentages often lose heat faster, making them feel colder more easily. Muscle mass also matters, as muscles generate heat when they contract, even at rest.
Metabolism and Energy Use
Individuals with a faster metabolism tend to produce more body heat. This explains why some people remain warm even in cooler environments. Conversely, a slower metabolic rate can lead to reduced heat production, increasing sensitivity to cold.
Blood Circulation Differences
Circulation affects how warmth is distributed throughout the body. Poor blood flow to the hands and feet can make extremities feel especially cold. Conditions such as low blood pressure or Raynaud’s phenomenon can exaggerate this effect, causing fingers and toes to become icy even in mild cold.
Hormonal and Health Factors
Hormones also play a crucial role in temperature regulation. Thyroid disorders, for example, can lower the body’s ability to generate heat. Anaemia, which reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, may also leave people feeling colder than usual. Women often report feeling colder than men, partly due to hormonal fluctuations and differences in muscle mass.
Age and Adaptation
Age influences how the body responds to temperature changes. Older adults often feel colder because their metabolism slows and their ability to regulate body heat declines. On the other hand, people regularly exposed to cold environments may gradually adapt, becoming less sensitive over time.
Lifestyle and Clothing Choices
Diet, sleep quality, and physical activity also affect body temperature. Eating enough calories helps fuel heat production, while regular movement boosts circulation. Inadequate clothing or prolonged inactivity can make anyone feel colder, regardless of their natural tolerance.
More Than Just the Weather
Experts stress that feeling unusually cold all the time may signal an underlying health issue and should not be ignored. While individual tolerance varies, persistent cold sensitivity may warrant medical advice.
As winter continues, understanding these differences helps explain why the same temperature can feel dramatically different from one person to another—proving that cold is not just about the weather, but about the body experiencing it.