The human body is capable of adapting to different environments. As the days become colder, the body undergoes different processes to cope with the changes in temperature.
The body fights off the cold weather by conserving energy, decreasing blood flow, and shivering. However, if the cold gets too much to bear, the body will need some help from certain gear such as Obermeyer ski jackets, gloves, earmuffs, etc. While women are said to be more tolerant of the cold, they need to buy jackets that will make them stay dry and avoid hypothermia.
When the skin feels cold, it sends receptors to the brain so that the nervous system changes the body temperature to adapt to the environment. Naturally, here are the things that happen inside the body when it’s battling the cold:
1. Shivering
Shivering is the effect of muscles contracting and expanding at quick rates. This generates heat, increasing body temperature. This happens when the body has exhausted its energy to regulate body temperature, so it generates heat from the calories released by muscles instead. Experts consider this an inefficient way to survive the cold.
2. Reduced blood flow
The reason fingertips, hands, and feet feel the coldest first is because blood flow to these areas has been decreased, and blood transports heat to the skin. When in the cold, blood vessels constrict, and blood flow is slowed down to bring heat loss to the minimum. This conserves body heat by keeping it in our system for as long as possible.
3. The body conserves energy
When it gets cold, the body uses its energy differently to keep body temperature at bay. It uses some of its energy to fuel the muscles and transfers it to produce lactic acid, a chemical responsible for slowing down the nervous system. As the nervous system slows down, the entire body follows.
How jackets can keep you warm
Essentially, extra layers of clothing help block out cold temperatures while keeping your body heat close to your body. Jackets keep the body warm by retaining the air inside the material to insulate the body. This is why selecting a jacket that has an efficient insulation layer is necessary as this prevents your body heat from being released into the environment.
A waterproof jacket prevents more cold from ensuing around the body as the wet surface can easily turn into ice. Most jackets have a coating on top of the fabric so that droplets could easily slide off the surface.
Breathability in jackets is about the heat transfer generated from the inside of the jacket to the outside surroundings. This is important to avoid moisture around the body during cold weather.
If skiing is your sport or hobby, knowing how your body reacts to different changes in the environment is critical. When you feel like the body is reaching its limits with the cold weather, don’t hesitate to add another layer of clothing to prevent hypothermia. Moreover, choosing the right jacket will help your body cope with the environment better.
