Science of Staying Warm [Infographic]

Matthew Gates http://notetoservices.com 4m 970 #staywarm

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

Winter is Coming, Stay Warm

For the majority of human beings on this planet, the warmth of the sun is the number one reason for living and why we go outside. It is also the reason why life is much more enjoyable, specifically in warmer climates. The favorite season of most people tends to be the warmer seasons or seasons where it is not too cold. This means that winter is probably the least favored of all the seasons.

Although most people can easily move to warmer areas, some choose to stay in the cold weather, because people are often accustomed to where they grew up, where they want to live, and where they work, which means they may have to tolerate the cold weather, wherever they live. The human body is usually able to adjust to the cold weather, though human beings may succumb to hypothermia without any clothing. Warm clothing can help a human survive in cold weather indefinitely, though some type of warmth is usually always necessary.

For those who refuse to tolerate cold weather, the only choice is to move to warmer climates and warmer areas of their country, usually places nearer to the equater of the Earth. For those who stay in colder weather, they must find ways to stay warm.

This infographic discovers the ways through science of staying warm. Infographic courtesy of Neomam Studios.

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The Science of Staying Warm

Winter is coming! So, here are some top science tips to make sure you’re warm this winter…

COLD KILLS

The dangers of NOT staying warm

Cold is the leading cause of illnesses such as

• Flu
• Pneumonia
• Hypothermia
• The Common Cold

COLD CAUSES
a drop in Immune Response (the ability to fight illnesses).

WHICH LEADS TO
an increase in susceptibility to illnesses.

180
The number of pensioners killed by the cold every day during the 2010-2011 Winter

20,000
Approximately this many people aged 65 and over will die during the winter months

300,000
The number of pensioners we have lost to cold-related illnesses since 1997

So, make sure you visit your grandparents this Festive period.

YOUR BODY LOSES HEAT IN THREE WAYS

CONDUCTION, CONVECTION, AND RADIATION

1. CONDUCTION: Sending heat through solid materials
2. CONVECTION: The act of moving heat from one place to another e.g. hot air rises
3. RADIATION: The heat we feel come from a fire

THREE WAYS TO KEEP WARM

1. LAYERS

“Wrap up warm!” – all mothers ever

Humans are constantly releasing heat.

60 – 80% of all chemical reactions in the body act solely to release heat.

Trapping air between layers of clothing is one of the most effective ways to stop heat escaping.

Air has an extremely low thermal conductivity, making it the perfect insulator.

BODY HEAT
BASE LAYER – thermal
MIDLAYER – fleece
OUTER LAYER – waterproof
WIND & RAIN

2. FOOD

Eating food is a great way to keep warm. Why? Eating increases our metabolism, meaning there are more chemical reactions in the body giving us heat and energy.

HERE ARE THREE DISHES TO WARM YOU THIS WINTER

Hot Drinks

Just holding a hot drink can make you noticeably warmer. Perspiration induced by drinking hot drinks can flush toxins from the body, helping to purify the bloodstream.

• Tea
• Coffee
• Hot Chocolate
• Mulled Wine

Whole Grains

Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates that are difficult to break down, meaning there are more chemical reactions in the body, meaning you’re warmer for longer.

• Brown Rice
• Quinoa
• Oats
• Barley
• Buckwheat

Whole grains are also a great source of magnesium and selenium.

MAGNESIUM [MAGNESIUM 12 Mg 24.305] – Increases enzyme activity and energy production.

SELENIUM [SELENIUM 34 Se 78.96] – An antioxidant. Helps maintain the heart and liver by increasing antibody production.

Spices

Certain spices help boost metabolism.
Ginger is particularly effective; it increases blood flow to the extremities, keeping your toes cozy.

However, don’t spice things up too much. The hottest spices – such as Cayenne – can make you sweat, releasing heat from the body.

• Ginger
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Paprika
• Pepper

3. Hydration

Keep Hydrated! In cold climates, we lose moisture constantly. Whether through sweat, exhalation, or the fact that the increased blood flow to our kidneys makes us urinate more often.

HYDRA T ION
HYDRO (water) + ION

=

HEAT

Our bodies are full of ions, and when ions dissolve in water, the stabilizing reactions release heat. This is known as heat of hydration.

FUN FACT

Why Whales don’t wear Jumpers…

Ever wondered why some marine mammals live in cold water? Try this experiment…

1. Take two of your fingers.
2. Cover one finger in a thick layer of butter.
3. Dip this finger along with the other bare finger into a glass of ice cold water.

Is one finger colder than the other?

This is because butter contains fat, which acts as an insulator. Whales and other marine mammals are kept warm by layers thick of fat, or blubber, beneath their skin.

HOW TO FREEZE TO DEATH AND SURVIVE…

If you do choose to ignore all the above information and find yourself slowly freezing to death, there’s still hope!

In 1999, Anna Begenholm, fell into a frozen lake in Narvik, Norway. Trapped under the ice, her heart stopped, and she was presumed dead. However, hyperthermia, the very thing that killed her, also helped preserve her brain. She was air-lifted to a nearby hospital and the fight for her life ensured….

13.7C
Anna’s body temperature had dropped to 13.7C. The lowest recorded temperature for a human to survive from accidental hyperthermia.

100
The number of Doctors and Nurses that worked nine-hour shifts to save her life.

3 Hours
How long Anna’s heart stopped beating. The longest and coldest cardiac arrest on record.

1 Hour 20 Minutes
How long Anna was trapped beneath a thick layer of ice in freezing water.

10 Days
How long it took before Anna finally awoke.

Produced by JONES OIL

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