Preparing for Cold Waves: How to Adapt to Extreme Cold

W hen the mercury in the thermometer starts to fall, your transition from normal weather to cold begins. Thicker garments are now the headliners of your wardrobe, and you think more about how warm a piece of clothing is rather than how you look in it. Luckily, there is a wide enough collection of clothes out there that you surely won’t have trouble finding something that fits both criteria. However, we are not here to talk about fashion but rather about cold weather and how you can adapt to it.

The temperature is bound to be lower during regular winter days. But there are days when the outdoor thermometer just shows crazy low numbers. And that’s where the real trouble begins. Your literal life is at stake without proper preparation for extreme cold and without taking certain precautions. Fret not, though, because I am here today to walk you through what you must do to adapt to this specific type of extreme weather. Let’s go!

Woman Feeling Cold in Winter

Starting with the Basics – What’s Up with Cold Waves?

Now we aren’t really surprised by most weather changes anymore since forecasting is accurate and timely. We have specialists that can predict extreme weather to inform us how the weather will shift in the area we live in. A relatively common type of extreme weather event is the cold wave.

What is a cold wave, exactly? For this specific weather event to occur, temperatures must be extremely low for several days. Global warming has changed weather conditions, making winters easier for us. Cold waves don’t occur as often as they did in the past, but this doesn’t keep us completely clear. Let’s remember the 1816 eruption of Mount Tambora that deprived people in several areas of summer and even caused snowfall in New England. So there are random events that happen and trigger this extreme weather outside the period where cold waves are expected, namely in winter.

Cold waves are practically the polar opposite of heatwaves. As with periods of extreme heat, there are precautions that you must take for health, comfort, and safety during extreme cold. As long as you follow the advice I will list in the following, you can make it through periods with dangerously low temperatures without any repercussions. Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s move on, and learn how you can prepare and adapt for extreme cold.

Woman Running in Swimsuit Outdoors in Winter

Can You Get Your Body Used to Freezing Temperatures?

You feel uncomfortable when you are too hot or cold and might even experience specific health problems. There is a close link between our health and the weather, and we must take proper cautionary measures to try and keep the adverse effects on the low for our health and safety. There is also the issue that thermal comfort is affected by cold weather, at least if you don’t prepare and adapt, that is.

Luckily, you can acclimate your body with patience and discipline. By helping your body adapt to the cold instead of only looking for solutions like wearing absurdly thick layers of clothes, you can beat it in the sense of the word. This is what you should do:

• Spend some time out: You might be tempted to cozy up by the fireplace and warm up, but you eventually have to get out of the house too. And unless you make it a habit to spend at least 1-2 hours outside when it’s cold, you won’t be able to adapt to outside conditions. Wear warm clothes, and shed layers when you start to get comfortable.
• Mind the extremities: Your hands, feet, and head get cold quickly. Even if the rest of your body handles the temperature just fine, the same cannot be said about the extremities. So if you want to be able to sit outside or get accustomed to the weather even slightly, always cover the extremities.
• Exercise: Keeping your metabolism revved up is an efficient means to adapt to the cold. The same effect is seen when you increase muscle mass since more warm tissue protects your body from the cold. Cardio and resistance training sessions regularly every week are what you need to keep the metabolism up and running, and even put on some muscle for extra warmth.
• Put on a few pounds: It might not sound like an ideal option, but gaining weight helps you resist the cold much better. The fat your body stores keeps the internal organs at a steady temperature and provides a calorie supply that the body burns for energy. This doesn’t mean you have to put on a lot of weight; just a few pounds are more than enough. So you should still keep a healthy, balanced diet.
• Turn the shower faucet to cold: It might shock your body, especially when you try this tactic out. However, cold water immersion is your best means to increase your body’s tolerance to the cold. You don’t have to jump into it immediately; best to avoid hypothermia. Gradually decrease the water’s temperature when you bathe or shower. Let your body get accustomed to it. What I found to be the best tactic, for me at least, is to alternate between hot and cold water when I shower. The sudden temperature changes help me accommodate the temperature shifts outside without shivering like crazy.

What About Your Mind?

The question might sound ambiguous at first. After all, what could be the connection between your mind and the weather? But there is; your mindset can make a big difference. When I’m outside, I like to think about places that are much colder than the environment surrounding me. It might sound weird, but it works. It’s all about discipline, after all. So as long as you think about places where the weather is even worse, your current situation won’t seem that bad anymore.

Another way to take control of the situation is to concentrate on the actual temperature. Small truth: you are never as cold as you think you are. Most of the time, we tend to exaggerate our body’s response, making us feel colder. So be realistic about the temperature outside; it might not be as disastrous as it initially feels.

Lastly, and I cannot emphasize enough how important this is…STOP SHIVERING! This is an unintentional initial response to the extreme cold. To produce heat, your muscles have rapid contractions similar to those when you exercise. So shivering does help you deal with the cold. However, only under certain circumstances, namely, when temperatures are so low, the body’s autonomic process plays an important role. On the other hand, force yourself to stop shivering ASAP when it’s around or just below freezing outside; it’s really unnecessary.

Man Skiing Downhill to Resort

A Few Habits that Help You Adapt to Extremely Low Temperatures

Training your body to withstand the cold also comes down to a few habits that you should take up. Turning down the thermostat is my favorite because of how much it helps you adapt to colder conditions and the difference it makes in turning your home more energy efficient. Instead of keeping the setting on the low to mid-seventies, go down a few degrees gradually until you can live in a cooler space without issue. It helps you adapt and save money when winter comes since you won’t spend as much on utilities.

Likely the most fun advice I can give you is to take up cold-weather activities like snowboarding, skiing, or sledding. These are enjoyable activities during which you will have a lot of fun. Since you are outside, interacting with the environment to the fullest, you get accustomed to the conditions. Moreover, since these are physical activities at their root, there is the added perk that your body will generate more heat while you do them.

Try to cover up less. When you feel chilly, your first instinct is to cover up with a warmer blanket or dress in thicker clothes. Try to avoid covering up in layers that are too thick. Instead, try to cope with the cold as much as you can. You will notice that you won’t need to cover up with as many clothes after a while. Combine this habit with frequent cold showers and turning the thermostat a bit lower, and you will be 100% successful at dealing with the cold.

Bonus Do’s and Don’ts During Cold Waves

• Monitor weather forecasts or get a weather radio that will alert you when a cold wave is coming. The NOAA weather alert will notify you that extreme cold will soon follow. As well as you might adapt to cold weather, you still should avoid staying out during cold waves because of the extreme temperatures. What I taught you here helps you adjust and resist, but it doesn’t mean that you should treat the weather lightly.
• Do some research about frostbite and hypothermia. You must know the signs and symptoms of cold temperature-related issues to get to warmth immediately and avoid serious health repercussions.
• If there is a weather alert about incoming thundersnow, stay inside. Ensure your food and water supply stock is replenished and remain in your designated safe room until the bad weather all passes.
• Keep the water running. You don’t have to turn the faucet to the max. Instead, let water trickle from the taps to keep the pipes from freezing, as easy as that.
• Avoid traveling at night. As cold as the temperature might be during the day, it gets even colder when the dark settles. If you have to travel, at least do it in your car. Don’t walk; the temperature might be too much to handle.
• Avoid walking alone. This goes for all times of the day or night. It’s freezing, and as much as you prepare your body for what’s to come, adapted to lower temperatures, and put on proper clothing, you can still get hypothermia if the weather suddenly turns even worse. If there is someone with you, they can assist and bring you to a safe, warm shelter if the cold becomes too much for you.
• If you’re a car owner, you are likely aware of this, but I will mention it anyway because it’s essential. Ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter conditions to drive it safely on the road.

Conclusion

As much as we love how it looks when snowflakes fall out of the sky and how beautiful the scenery is overall, the truth is that temperatures tend to be too low in winter. Cold waves aren’t necessarily characteristic only to this season, though. But whenever they strike, let’s face it, as beautiful as the scenery might be, the temperatures make it hard to feel comfortable. That’s if you don’t take proper precautions, of course.

From what you wear to how you think, even your day-to-day habits, these factors influence how you adapt to the extreme cold and handle the situation. Your health is at stake, not only your comfort, which is why you must abide by the advice I provided here to safely make it through cold waves.