Our first reaction to cold, is to put on a jacket, turn on a heat or add on more layers.
We want to be comfortable.
But this comfort comes at a price. It makes our bodies lazy.
I read Lifespan by Dr David Sinclair a while ago. One of the key arguments he makes is that it is possible to fight ageing with a few simple methods. One of the key methods is staying cold.
So I decided to go the whole year — including winter — without wearing a jacket.
A note on this, I live in Sydney where the lowest temperature rarely dips below 10 degrees. So the idea of not using a jacket makes me feel colder but not to the point of getting hypothermia.
My whole motivation for trying this out was to see if it was sustainable. Whether I could embrace the discomfort of the cold. If I succeed then I would be able to fight ageing without doing much and it would also be one less thing to carry around.
There were also scientific reasons why I wanted to try this.
The Cold Promotes a Higher Metabolic Rate
This the most obvious factor because it is one that we learn since we were young. We know that our bodies will increase our heat output to combat the colder environment. A higher temperature means a higher metabolic rate.
A higher metabolic rate is not very helpful in ancient times. But a well sought after one in our current time. A higher metabolic rate helps us lose weight. In turn, this weight loss helps us fight many other types of diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes, etc)
The Cold Also Promotes Higher Brown Fat Production
In his book, David ran several studies showing that when we stay cold, we produce more brown fat than white fat. This is important because out of the three main types of fat in our bodies — brown, white and beige — , brown fat is linked to helping us lose weight. According to David, brown fat also helps stimulate and increase mitochondrial function. This helps combat ageing.
Moreover, there is other research that shows how beneficial brown fat is for us. But the general trend seems to be that the more brown fat we have, the better it is for our bodies.
Now, every time I go out, I try my best to not wear a jacket. I would estimate that I don’t wear a jacket 95% of the time. It has been about a year since I made this commitment to myself.
Here are some of my findings.
It can be Mentally exhausting
At the start of the experiment, it was very tiring to be cold. It is because my brain kept urging me to wear a jacket and I had to use all my available willpower to fight that urge.
It is exhausting to be cold especially when your jacket is right in front of you.
The whole point of this commitment is to stay colder than normal. This also meant that my brain was finding other ways to generate heat. Like I found urges to turn on the heater or stay in bed longer or even work from the bed to avoid the cold. It made getting up in the morning harder.
I found that it helps to be well-rested to resist the cold. My urge to wear a jacket gets stronger and stronger as my mental energy goes down.
Your Body Gets Used To It
About a few months into this commitment, I don’t find it as cold anymore and it is because my body acclimates. It got easier to be out in the cold. The feeling of being cold is still there but the discomfort has lessened.
This was one of the most surprising things for me. I remember not wanting to leave the house at all because of this commitment. Now that just seems silly.
It Feels Great
There is a certain freedom that comes with not needing a jacket in winter. It also means one less thing that I have to carry around or wear.
I love the cold now, It is so liberating
I found myself enjoying the cold, I even enjoy walks in winter with only a T-shirt on. Now, the discomfort of being cold tells me that I am doing something good for my health in the long run.
For the most part, I can’t describe it apart from telling you to try it yourself. A once-feared element of nature is now one that I enjoy.
I love the “How are you not cold” Questions
When I go out with friends, being asked the “How are you not cold” question is one of the best feelings in the world.
It is a small thing to be content in colder environments but one that has taught me more than I expected. It has taught me to be less reliant on clothes and the weather. It makes me feel like I can overcome any fear because I am no longer tied to my environment. I hope that this article has somewhat motivated you to give this a try.
Thanks for reading.
