DR MAX PEMBERTON: Beat the cold by thinking of a hot first kiss!
DR MAX PEMBERTON: Beat the cold by thinking of a hot first kiss!
- Some parts of the UK have been colder than the Icelandic capital Reykjavik
- Dr Max Pemberton shares how to trick your body into thinking it’s warmer
- Among NHS psychiatrist’s advice is replaying your first kiss in your mind’s eye
For those of you who had convinced yourself that the balmy weather we’ve been having all autumn was here to stay, I have bad news: winter is coming. In the last few days, parts of the UK have been colder than the Icelandic capital Reykjavik and we had the first widespread frosts of the season, with temperatures falling to -2c (28f) in some rural areas.
But just before you dig out the fleece pyjamas and hot water bottle, I’ve been interested to read about some proven ways to trick your body into thinking it’s warmer than it really is.
Now, I’m not saying these are going to stave off frostbite — but I certainly am a great believer in the power of the mind.
We also know that feeling hot or cold is not only very subjective — some people just naturally seem to feel more comfortable at certain temperatures compared to others — but also dependent on a number of factors such as our emotions.
So here are my top six tricks to mentally help keep you warm during the bitter days ahead . . .
NHS psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton shared how to trick your body into thinking it’s warmer than it really is (file image)
Catch up with a long-lost friend
I remember during the lockdown standing outside supermarkets in queues in what felt like sub-zero temperatures.
The waiting seemed to go on for ever and I’d hop from one foot to the other to try to keep warm in vain.
It was almost unbearable — in fact I even gave up once and left empty-handed.
Yet on that occasion I went on to bump into a friend on the street and spent about half an hour standing chatting to him.
At no point did the cold weather even register — I certainly didn’t feel the need to hop from foot to foot or even rub my hands together. Why? Because of lockdown we hadn’t seen each other for months so we were delighted to catch up. My mind was occupied with our conversation. There’s also some research that suggests talking to people we like raises our core body temperature slightly — so being sociable is like utilising our own internal heating.
But also the more we have to concentrate on the conversation — if, for example, we haven’t seen that person for a long time so there’s a lot of information to process — the more this helps boost our core body temperature.
Remember first kiss
Next time you find yourself feeling nippy, close your eyes and replay your first kiss in your mind’s eye.
It might sound strange — but studies have found that people who focus on an intensely emotional memory associated with love, affection or psychological warmth then feel warm too.
It’s thought this is because psychological warmth activates the same circuitry in the brain as physical warmth.
So, by thinking of something tender, loving and warm, our brains think we are experiencing physical warmth too.
Dr Max (pictured) said studies have found that people who focus on an intensely emotional memory associated with love, affection or psychological warmth then feel warm too
Get cosy and watch a romantic comedy
There’s something very cosy about sitting on the sofa, mug of tea in your hands, and watching a rom-com, isn’t there?
But research suggests it’s also a great way to feel toasty. In one study, subjects felt warmer after hearing stories about caring, loyal, kind and sensitive people than after hearing similar stories in which the characters were competent, efficient or creative.
So turn the central heating down and crank up the Richard Curtis instead.
Reminisce on the good old days
Nostalgia can help us feel warm, shows a 2012 study published in the journal Emotion.
Participants who recalled a nostalgic event from the past were able to tolerate low temperatures better than those that recalled emotionally neutral historical events. So if you find yourself stuck outside, indulge in a bit of nostalgic daydreaming and hopefully you’ll feel warmer.
Do vase breathing and visualise
This Tibetan technique has been shown in studies to increase body temperature in novices within ten minutes. Tibetan nuns combine this breathing exercise with visualising balls of heat moving up and down their spine and when doing this, they can withstand below freezing temperatures. The breathing technique involves holding your breath while contracting the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor and doing it in a way that makes your stomach protrude in the shape of a pot-shaped vase. There are videos on YouTube to guide you.
Drink a warm tea or hot chocolate
I know, you’ve already thought of this. But what’s interesting is that from a physiological perspective, drinking warm tea or hot chocolate only increases our body temperature slightly and relatively briefly. Research suggests that because we think the warm drink will warm us up, our mind convinces us it does.
Gwyneth talks sense for once!
Gwyneth Paltrow has spoken about the unrealistic expectations placed on women during and after birth. Pictured: Gwyneth Paltrow with Apple
Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed how difficult she found childbirth and has spoken about the unrealistic expectations placed on women during and after birth. She’s also criticised social media for making women feel as though they are supposed to ‘look’ a certain way though pregnancy and birth.
I haven’t always been a fan of Gwyneth, what with some of her rather wacky new-age health beliefs, but on this she’s spot on. Over the years I have covered maternity wards dealing with women who are having mental health problems. Time and time again, I would be asked to see mothers who were upset and distressed because they felt they didn’t ‘love’ their baby in the way they thought they were supposed to and felt they wouldn’t be able to cope. I would reassure them that these are normal feelings.
The real tragedy is too often women don’t get help because they are embarrassed or ashamed to ask for it. Yet in reality, the arrival of a baby is a bomb going off in your life — everything is disrupted. Surely part of the answer is to start being honest about how difficult it can be to be a mother. Even the best mums in the world struggle at times.
- The deputy chief medical officer warned that we should wear masks given the spike in infections. Britain currently has one of the highest rates of Covid cases in the world. Mask wearing has certainly waned over the past few months. I’ll confess to being pleased about this — it’s been so nice to see people’s faces again. But despite not being very convinced by the science to support mask wearing, I’m going to put mine back on. Why? The prospect of another lockdown fills me with horror and I’ll do anything to avoid it. Let’s all stay a little cautious this Christmas.
Dr Max prescribes…
A charity beanie
100 per cent of profits from each limited edition beanie design by Daniel W. Fletcher goes to the Be Well Collective
Not only do these hats keep your head warm, but they are ethical too. They are spun using 100 per cent renewable energy and the production of each item is completely transparent and traceable. Best of all, 100 per cent of profits from each limited edition design by Daniel W. Fletcher goes to the Be Well Collective, a charity that tackles rising mental health concerns of the younger generation.
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