Are you the type of person who has cold feet no matter what time of year? Do you wear heavy socks even in the middle of summer? Nobody likes to have cold feet, but they’re a lot more common than many people realize. There are several causes for cold feet, from experiencing stress to underlying health issues.
1. Cold Weather
The blood vessels in your hands and feet constrict when temperatures are cold, reducing blood flow. Reducing blood flow decreases the amount of heat your body loses, but when it’s cold, your body focuses more on keeping your core and vital organs than your hands and feet.
If your feet are cold even in warmer temperatures, the problem may be an underlying health issue, such as poor circulation.
2. Poor Circulation
Circulation issues are common causes of cold feet. Poor circulation can significantly affect the quality of your life and can sometimes cause severe complications. Poor circulation means that your body struggles to get enough blood to your feet. It has several causes, including:
- Not getting enough exercise.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- High cholesterol.
- Other health conditions, such as diabetes, and more.
Do you notice a regular tingling sensation in your hands and feet? Talk to your doctor because you may have a severe health condition that requires professional attention.
If you’re wondering how to keep feet warm with poor circulation consider purchasing a pair of specialized thermal socks designed for people with poor circulation. The right thermal socks will be at least seven times warmer than basic cotton socks to keep your feet warm and toasty even when you suffer from poor circulation.
3. Stress and Anxiety
When you experience feelings of stress and anxiety, adrenaline pumps through your bloodstream. Adrenaline, often referred to as the “fight or flight” hormone, causes your blood vessels to dilate to let the blood move more quickly. However, sometimes adrenaline can cause reduced blood flow, causing you to feel discomfort and cold. The way the body reacts to stressful situations is unpredictable, and it can often feel debilitating.
Investing in thermal socks is an excellent solution to those uncomfortable, stressful situations. However, you may also want to consider additional ways to reduce your stress level. If you find yourself feeling anxious most of the time, try meditation or breathing exercises.
4. Nerve Disorders
There are three different types of nerves in the body:
- Automatic nerves — these control the involuntary activities of the body, including heart rate and blood pressure.
- Motor nerves — these control the body’s movements and actions by passing information from your brain and spinal cord to your muscles.
- Sensory nerves — these rely on information from your skin and muscles back to your brain and spinal cord.
Nerves are essential to everything the body does, so nerve pain and damage can seriously affect your quality of life, including cold feet. For example, people with neuropathy experience cold feet because the nerves that detect temperature don't work correctly.
You don't have to live with ongoing cold feet — talk to your doctor and, in the meantime, invest in a good pair of thermal socks.
