Why women get colder than men
If you’ve ever sat next to your husband and wondered why he’s sitting comfortably in a t-shirt and shorts while you shiver in jeans, a fleece and a beanie you’ve probably wondered why women seem to feel the cold so much more than men.
Recent research from the Netherlands has confirmed that yes, women do feel the cold more than their male counterparts due to a complex array of factors.
Women naturally have a higher core body temperature than men generally due to their higher body fat percentage, which is better for retaining heat. Women’s bodies therefore conserve heat while men’s bodies let heat out, helping them to feel more comfortable in cooler air. Menstrual status and hormones also have a role to play due to their constant fluctuations.
The research was conducted to assess the impact of a cooler working environment on productivity and found that women might be at a genuine professional disadvantage in the workplace because air conditioning is generally calibrated to suit a ‘male’ temperature range. This temperature range is devised by an algorithm called the "thermal comfort model". Devised in the 1960s, was based on one type of average metabolism — that of the middle aged, average weight and height male.
This means the rest of the female workforce is generally going to be left a touch on the cool while at work.
The moral of the story? You may not always be in control of the thermostat, but you can hold the power when it comes to your at-home heating! Get in and set your heater for a temperature that keeps you warm. Your husband might just have to wear shorts and a t-shirt all winter long!
Do you agree with these findings? Let us know in the comments below.
Related links:
10 ways to keep energy bills down in winter
How to protect your ears from the cold
The benefits of a cold start to the day