It's Freezing! Why Women Feel The Cold More Than Men

It's Winter, and it feels "arctic". But lo and behold, there's your male colleagues happily strolling around in short sleeves. You're wrapped in three jumpers.

But why is this? Why do women always seem to be the ones shivering while men are swanning about like they were built for the Ice Age? Is it some cruel joke from Mother Nature, or is there actual science behind it? Spoiler: It’s science. And possibly a little bit of cruel joke.

The Science of Shivering

Let’s start with the basics. Women do, in fact, feel the cold more than men, and it’s not just because we have a strong sense of dramatic flair. Studies show that women’s core body temperature is actually slightly higher than men’s, meaning their bodies are already running a little warmer on the inside. This sounds like a good thing until you realise that the moment cold air hits, women’s blood vessels constrict more rapidly, reducing blood flow to the hands and feet. The result? Freezing fingers, icy toes, and an overwhelming urge to ‘borrow’ your boyfriend’s hoodie.

Fat vs. Muscle – The Battle for Warmth

Another culprit is body composition. Women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than men (yes, even the gym-obsessed ones), but before you get too excited, it’s not the kind of fat that helps much with warmth. While fat is great for insulation, it’s not particularly good at generating heat. Muscle, on the other hand, is like a built-in radiator, and men typically have more of it. This means they produce more heat, while women are left bundled up like human marshmallows, wondering how life could be so unfair.

The Thermostat Wars

If you’ve ever had an argument over the office or household thermostat, congratulations—you’ve participated in one of the great battles of human history. Offices are often kept at temperatures based on an outdated model from the 1960s, which was designed around the metabolic rate of a 40-year-old man in a suit. Given that most women don’t fit this category (and let’s be honest, neither do most modern men), the result is a working environment that feels like an ice hotel.

Evolution Had Other Plans

It’s not just modern air conditioning that’s to blame—evolution has a hand in this as well. Women’s bodies are designed to prioritise keeping the core warm (where all the important bits are), even if it means sacrificing the extremities. Back in prehistoric times, this was useful for survival. Today, it just means that while your male friends are happily sipping pints outdoors in December, you’re contemplating bringing a hot water bottle to the pub.

So next time you find yourself shivering while the men in your life seem oblivious to the Arctic conditions, remember—it’s not in your head, it’s in your biology. And if all else fails, remind them that there’s no shame in a thermal blanket and a nice toasty heated scarf.

The struggle is real.