You’re probably frozen right now. Or maybe you’re sweating in your button-down shirt because your thermostat is set to winter. The office environment war is real, and science has taken sides.
It’s not just your imagination. A 2015 study published in the journal Nature Climate Change revealed shocking results about office comfort. Looking at the data, we see a clear gap between men’s and women’s comfort levels. Women reported being happiest at 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Men? They were happiest at a shivering 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). There is a difference of 6 degrees.
Who is to blame? metabolism.
Women’s resting metabolism is usually slower than men’s. Less energy expended at rest means less heat. When you sit at a desk, your body is essentially a smaller, less efficient furnace than a man’s. This is why women often feel the cold first.
Ignoring this biological reality can lead to unhappy employees. Who doesn’t want to channel their inner Elsa when trying to hit their quarterly goals? This way, you can avoid being a human Popsicle without having to call your IT department to fix your HVAC system.
The Gadget Method
Innovations rise to fill the heat vacuum. If you’re struggling with standard office drafts, hardware can be the solution.
Carrie Aulenbacher, an administrative assistant in Erie, Pennsylvania, relies on a self-warming pad to stay warm. She bought hers from Chewy.com. Although it is technically designed for pets, the functionality is the same as for humans. These materials reflect body heat back to the body. It is not electric. Does not cause sweating. It only makes a subtle difference.
If the pad is too fine, you may need more power. The space heater is activated. However, management often prohibit them because they pose a fire hazard. Steve Adams, communications coordinator for Cyphers Agency in Maryland, has seen bosses realize that cold workers are unhappy. What is the solution? A budget allowance for heaters and blankets. Things fell into place immediately.
Consider a heated computer mouse, especially if finger numbness is a problem. This is an inexpensive and unobtrusive solution that solves the problem directly.
Moves to generate heat
If you stand still, you will feel cold. Exercise causes friction, which raises the body’s internal temperature.
No need to go to the gym. to stand up. Stretch. Jog in place for 60 seconds. Do a couple of jumps. The goal is to get your heart racing. This increases blood flow to the limbs and protects them from the cold.
Giving up your sitting habits is also good for your health. Your spine will thank you. Blood circulation improves. You will stop shivering.
Upgrade your coat
Sometimes a blanket is not enough. If you feel cold all the time, you need better insulation.
Maria Gath, an intern at Midtown Marketing Group in Oregon, uses a product called TheGameBag. In the shape of a bag, it was originally designed for the outdoor stadium seating. You step into it. Close the zipper. medium-weight industrial fleece inside. Designed to provide warmth and security. The sole is lined with vinyl, so you can keep your shoes on. It’s big, but efficient.
Consider the OROS outerwear for a high-tech approach. The brand uses aerogel, the same insulation technology used by NASA in the space shuttle.
“Aerogels are used to keep things warm in space at minus 455 degrees Fahrenheit,” explains Michael Markesbery, founder and CEO of OROS. “Aerogels work so well in space that we thought we should bring this technology to Earth.”
It has a warmth without being bulky. There are no layers. No stiffness. Uses advanced materials for efficient heat retention.
Eat to stay warm
The digestive system is a source of heat. When you eat, your body processes the food. This process raises the body’s core temperature.
“If it’s cold and you haven’t eaten all day, eat lunch to refuel, get your internal gears moving, and warm your body,” says Jamie Bacharach, a certified acupuncturist and diet coach.
Bacharach especially recommends apples. The peels contains ursolic acid. This compound increases the level of “brown fat” in the body. Brown fat is different from white fat. It is facilitates energy expenditure. Helps raise body temperature. It also helps fight obesity.
“Unlike white fat, brown fat can increase your tolerance for cold, even a little bit,” Bacharach noted.
Keep the apple close. They can do more than keep the doctor away. They might keep you from freezing at your desk.
Protect your hands
Sweaters can help your body. They do not help the fingers. Typing with frozen digits is painful and inefficient.
Dave Leonhardt, president of THGM Writers, keeps a pair of little knitted gloves handy. They are children’s size. Your fingers barely fit. It’s tight. This tightness allows for precision. You can still type, write and fine motor tasks are still possible.
Dave Bowden, who runs IrreverentGent.com, takes a different path. He bought a pair of lightweight cotton gloves at the dollar store. He cut off the fingertips. result? He can type on the keyboard without his hands going numb.
It’s ridiculous. it works.
Your office thermostat may not reach the ideal temperature. Biology shows that men and women experience cold differently. But you don’t have to endure the cold. Whether it’s adding equipment, move more, using high-quality materials, eating strategically, or modifying your gloves, there are solutions.
The real question is whether the cord will adjust the thermostat to 77 degrees. Probably not. However, you can adjust your environment.
### Merino wool and medical red flag
Your legs often get the short end of the stick. They sit under the table for at least eight hours and cut off their body’s natural heat cycle. Aulenbacher handles this by tucking tights under the pants. This is a neat trick. No one sees it. You don’t need to wear a thick sweater to stay warm. it works.
Men usually don’t wear tights. So what’s the play?
The answer lies in the choice of fabric, says Nathan James of Boardroom Socks. Throw away the cotton. Cotton retains moisture like a sponge. Merino wool is different. It breathes. It pulls wetness away from your skin. That keeps you dry. Keeps dry skin warm.
James recommends an over-the-calf style. Why? coverage. You want the wool to wrap high up on your legs. A standard crew sock leaves a cold air gap right at the knee. The taller sock seals that gap. It traps the heat. This small detail can change the way you feel in a cold room.
But if it’s always cold, is it just bad socks?
sometimes. Most people who feel cold are simply temperature sensitive. Your baseline may be low. But often there is something else going on. Cold sensitivity can be a symptom of an underlying problem.
Which medical conditions cause constant coldness?
- ** Hypothyroidism**: The thyroid slows down your metabolism. Less heat is generated.
- Anemia : A low level of red blood cells means that there is less oxygen in the tissues.
- Raynaud’s syndrome : spasms and narrowing of blood vessels in the extremities.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency : Nerve damage can change the perception of temperature.
- Anorexia : Lack of body fat causes loss of insulation, which slows metabolism.
HowStuffWorks receives a small affiliate commission when you purchase through links on our site.
Now That’s Cool
