I recently moved a magical mountain location surrounded by endless waterfalls, rivers, and forest as far as you can see but it also happens to be quite chilly here. For someone who prefers to wear a tank top while inside, this new "invigorating" environment has been slightly challenging well, until I did my research...
Did you know that lower indoor temperatures have been linked to better sleep, decreased inflammation, weight loss, improved blood flow, and even increased cognition?! This new (well, at least to me) evidence has radically changed my view and my comfort level to a lower temperature.
A study revealed that cooler inside temperatures can slowly transform a person's brown fat stores and actually enhance energy expenditure and metabolic health! Isn't that everyone's dream, to simply go about daily life while your body transforms into a svelte machine.
To take this to another level, some scientists even argue that indoor heating could be linked to an increased risk of obesity.
There are also countless studies linking better sleep, improved immunity, and recovery to colder indoor temperatures. The body is able to produce melatonin most effectively at 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit but the average home temperature is around 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Melatonin is a hormone and powerful antioxidant that has a number of health benefits including reducing inflammation, improving immunity, and may even have a role in slowing the aging of the brain, which is yet another reason to turn down the heat.
Cold weather is also good for the heart. Colder temperatures make the heart work harder to distribute blood in the body which means (for a healthy person) that the heart muscle will get stronger when the body is exposed to lower temperatures.
IMPROVES SLEEP
A recent study from the University of South Australia even revealed that sleeping in a cold room can reduce insomnia by balancing the thermo-regulatory system within their bodies. The study showed that participants were able to fall asleep faster because the core temperature within the body was able to drop quicker which is vital to initiate sleep. I must say, my sleep has never been better.
With this evidence, you might want to try this yourself…
TRY IT: Turn off the space heater under your desk, set your home temperature to 68, and embrace the chilly air knowing that it's good for your health.
Well, I guess I should start with "have you ever heard of a sitz bath?"…