How to Stay Warm in Winter
Winter may find others unaffected by cold, yet you feel cold, with icy hands and feet—even shivering—indicating possible cold aversion syndrome.
Cold aversion syndrome, also known as cold allergy or autonomic nervous system dysfunction, typically presents with cold extremities, lower back pain, leg sensitivity to wind, and easy cold-induced stomach discomfort. Additional symptoms may include headaches, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, difficulty urinating, and excessive sweating.
Diet:
Consuming cold foods such as beer, ice cream, raw vegetables, and fruits can make your body feel colder. Avoid overconsumption, especially at night. Warm foods help keep the body warm. Meats: beef, chicken, lamb; seafood: sardines, mackerel; vegetables: carrots, onions, scallions, pumpkins—all winter-seasonal vegetables are warming; fruits: chestnuts, walnuts, apples, dates; condiments: mustard, cooking wine, vinegar, brown sugar, yellow ginger, garlic, scallions, cinnamon, and mint. Develop good eating habits; quit smoking and avoid excessive drinking.
Appropriate Exercise:
Exercise promotes muscle growth for heat production, improves hormone secretion, boosts metabolism, and helps distribute heat throughout the body. Experts recommend walking one stop further during your commute instead of just visiting a gym—more effective.
Dressing:
The basic principle is "light upper layers, thick lower layers." Since major blood vessels surround the waist, keeping the lower body warm prevents the upper body from feeling cold. Avoid tight clothing or pants that hinder circulation. Use easily removable jackets to adjust layers and maintain comfort.
Physical Therapy:
Bathing and massage improve circulation. Try a saltwater foot soak every night: pour warm water (38–40℃) into a tub to cover ankles, add half a cup of coarse salt, stir well. After 5 minutes, add more warm water to cover the knee area (Zusanli acupoint). After 10 minutes, raise water level to the knee. Rinse off residual salt with warm water.
Reasonable Medication:
Vitamin E dilates capillaries and improves blood flow. Daily intake helps prevent cold aversion caused by autonomic dysfunction. Ginkgo extract improves autonomic function. Traditional Chinese herbal decoctions include prepared rehmannia, deer antler frost, epimedium, white atractylodes, eucommia, cinnamon twig, astragalus, achyranthes, white mustard seed, cistanche, licorice root. If unsure about dosage, consult a professional.