It’s getting colder, can you handle it?

Whether it’s just the change in seasons, or your planning a move to Alaska, sometimes how you feel and the ambient temperature seem to be having a battle for your comfort.  Here are some tips to help you acclimate to a change in the environment, understanding that we are not all sunbathers or polar bears!  Along with the comments that I shared with MEL Magazine, I am including some thoughts on going the other way, moving to a warmer climate, or dealing with the hot summer months.  Either way, you can adapt!

HOW YOUR BODY ADAPTS TO THE COLD WHEN YOU’RE STUCK IN A FRIGID PLACE

Dealing with the heat


As with the cold, incremental changes in your environment can help acclimate to warmer temperatures.  So spend some time in a warmer place, reduce your air conditioning to allow the room temperature to rise a bit.  Don't sit in the sun and bake, try to be a bit more active, and remember to remain well hydrated to compensate for sweat loss.  Dress appropriate to the temperature, with wicking fabrics to help heat transfer from your body, and lighter colors to reflect the sunlight.  While you should not overeat, be sure to maintain good all around nutrition, as well as the fluids as mentioned above.  Just as with shivering in the cold, signs of heat exhaustion such as elevated pulse rate, fatigue, or dizziness should signal the need to get into a cooler environment.  Heat stroke is a medical emergency which should be treated by emergency medical personnel urgently.