To stay healthy this winter we're supposed to avoid the cold, drink red wine and hibernate, right? We wish. Some winter rules are worth breaking, especially these ones.
Do you lose most of your body heat through your head?
Hats are a winter wardrobe staple, and it's widely believed that we lose most of our body heat through our heads. According to researchers at Indiana University writing in the BMJ, that isn't true. The head makes up roughly 10% of the body's surface area, and heat loss from any uncovered part of the body is roughly proportional to how much skin is exposed.
The myth probably sticks because the face, head and chest are more sensitive to changes in temperature than other parts of the body, so covering them makes us feel warmer. In reality you'd lose about as much heat going out without trousers as going out without a hat. So keep your whole body bundled this winter. And remember to wear pants.
Is it bad to exercise in the cold?
It's commonly believed that working out in the cold will make you sick. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, not by the temperature, so a winter run won't give you a cold on its own.
Cool weather can actually work in your favor. A study of decades of results from seven US and Canadian marathons found that performance slowed progressively as conditions warmed from about 5 to 25 degrees C, and slower runners were affected most. Less heat stress means your body spends less effort keeping cool.
Dress in layers you can peel off, cover your hands and ears, and warm up a little longer than usual. If you have asthma or a heart condition, ask your doctor about exercising in cold air. For more ideas, see our winter workout motivation tips.
Does drinking alcohol warm you up?
On a cold night, few things feel cozier than a glass of wine by the fire. But the warm feeling is skin-deep. Alcohol widens the blood vessels near the surface of the skin, which is why you feel flushed and warm, while heat is being carried away from your core.
In a controlled study, alcohol lowered the body temperature at which blood vessels in the skin constrict to conserve heat and increased blood flow to the fingertips. In mild cold, it didn't change how fast the volunteers' core temperature fell, and the researchers concluded that the link between drinking and hypothermia is likely driven mainly by behavior: drinking makes it easier to misjudge the cold, underdress or stay out too long.
So enjoy that drink indoors, cozy up a little closer to the fire, and don't count on it to keep you warm on the walk home. Unless it's hot apple cider, of course. Ready for more? Read part II of our cold weather myths.
