Cold myths
Misconceptions about the cold season
In winter, most people feel sick at least once – but is it really because of the cold?
© imago/Westend61
Does snow only fall when temperatures are below zero and do women freeze more easily? Seven winter myths – and their clarification.
In winter there are many legends and persistent claims about the cold. For example, that the cell phone is due to the low Temperatures can go bad or women can freeze faster than men – but what is fact and what is fake? Seven myths about the cold and their clarification.
Below freezing
A common misconception: Snow only falls at temperatures below zero, but it can also fall at temperatures just above freezing. What matters is the temperature at altitude and not necessarily on the ground. Snow forms when moist air rises and freezes in the upper layers of the atmosphere. At temperatures below zero degrees, the formation of snow crystals is only encouraged.
Broken cell phones due to cold
Defective smartphones caused by cold temperatures are almost never the case. Modern cell phones are designed to operate across a wide range of temperatures. However, extremely low temperatures can temporarily affect battery performance, as can heat. One thing is certain: in order for the device to function optimally, it should not be exposed to extreme cold conditions for a long period of time.
Cold time is cold time
Cold alone does not cause colds. The real culprits are the viruses, and in winter people spend more time indoors, which in turn also increases their spread. However, it is true that cold can weaken the immune system under certain circumstances, which also increases susceptibility to illness. In summary, however, this myth remains rather fake.
Fat burner: exercise in the cold
Would be nice! On cold days, more calories are not burned. Calorie consumption during exercise depends on the intensity, but not on the temperature. In the cold, the body has to use additional energy to regulate the body temperature – which can lead to you feeling a little hungrier than usual after exercise. Some doctors even warn against exercising in double-digit temperatures below zero, as the cold Air can overload the organism. Basically, experts say: From -10 degrees, training should be postponed until warmer days.
Funny: Laughter warms you up
Laughter alone cannot warm the body sufficiently. However, scientists have found that smiling people can endure cold temperatures twice as long. The assumption is that the body is distracted by laughter, releases feel-good hormones and therefore notices the pain of the cold less – so it’s somewhat true. By the way, a smile can certainly make a bigger difference in frosty everyday life than you often think.
Women freeze more quickly than men
Not necessarily. Men have a thicker top layer of skin and a higher proportion of muscle, which can provide better protection against cold. Women, on the other hand, tend to have a higher body fat percentage, which is why this misconception persists. However, this is only slightly true for both genders. Clothing, body composition and metabolism all play a role. According to experts, the subjective feeling of cold is less dependent on gender and, according to experts, is much more due to individual differences.