Some people always seem to have cold hands and feet, even in the middle of summer. But as winter sets in, their extremities become even colder, and women in particular tend to suffer from this symptom more than men. Is this a cause for concern? Does it mean there's something wrong with a woman's health if her hands and feet are always cold?

What Causes Feeling Cold?

Cold hands and feet are caused by poor blood circulation in these areas. If the whole body feels cold, it could be due to internal organ function and metabolism. The body can also experience moisture cold syndrome if there's too much water intake or not enough moisture emission. A cold constitution can occur when the balance of the autonomic nervous system is disrupted.

 

Research has shown that when the body gets cold, it reduces the amount of blood flow to the skin to maintain the heat of internal organs. As a result, hands and feet can become cold. Women tend to experience this blockage of blood flow more quickly than men, making it take longer for their bodies to warm up. Estrogen, a female hormone, regulates the peripheral blood vessels. Hormone levels are sensitive to temperature, and the level of estrogen and temperature are stimulated together based on the menstrual cycle.

 

Women tend to have a higher body fat percentage and less effective muscle formation than men, making it harder for them to heat their bodies. However, managing lifestyle habits and working out can help improve feeling cold symptoms caused by hormonal changes.

When to be aware of feeling cold

It's important to effectively manage feeling cold during times of stress, as stress-induced feelings of cold is one of the most common types found in women. When you experience stress or hypersensitivity, nutritional imbalance, lower abdominal coldness, and excessive vaginal secretion may also occur. If the bloodstream that heads toward the uterus is not smooth, it can lead to cramps.

Small Habits for a Warm Body

Changing daily habits can help improve your body's constitution and manage coldness symptoms. These small habits can make a big difference in how cozy and comfortable you feel.

Keep Your Sleeping Environment Warm

There are two main categories of temperature: skin temperature and core temperature. Core temperature is particularly affected by sleep, so taking a warm bath or foot bath before bed can help maintain a warmer core temperature. You can also keep your hands and feet warm and maintain one sleeping position throughout the night.

Eat Cooked Vegetables

There is a hidden coldness where you may not even realize your body is feeling cold. Caffeinated drinks and lack of exercise can exacerbate this. During the summer, many people drink cold water to cool down, but drinking ginger tea can help warm up the body.

Meditate and Acknowledge Hormonal Changes

Stress-induced coldness can lead to the contraction of blood vessels, so activities that help you maintain peace of mind can be helpful. Hormonal changes can also affect stress levels, so acknowledging your body's condition can help you stay calm. Meditation is a great way to relax and relieve stress. You can find meditation clips or apps to help you focus on your breathing and let go of physical discomforts and stressors.