Have you ever noticed that, as the years go by, an extra layer of clothing seems increasingly necessary, even on mild temperature days? That breeze that once felt refreshing now sends chills down your spine. This perception is not just an impression or a “quirk of older people.” There is a solid scientific basis that explains why we feel colder as we age. It is a common experience that reflects a series of natural transformations in our bodies.

This increased sensitivity to cold goes beyond mere discomfort. It signals important physiological changes that deserve attention, as they can impact well-being and even health. Understanding the mechanisms behind this sensation is the first step to adopting effective strategies that ensure more comfort and quality of life in maturity, preventing risks like hypothermia, which becomes more common in the elderly.

The causes are multifactorial. They involve everything from the slowing metabolism and loss of muscle mass to changes in blood circulation and the layer of fat that protects us. Our body, this complex and adaptable machine, simply adjusts its functioning as we age, and the regulation of body temperature is one of the functions affected in this process.

However, the answer is not only biological. Psychological and emotional factors also play a surprising role. Stress and anxiety, for example, can directly influence how we perceive and react to ambient temperature. The way our mind interprets signals from the body and the environment is crucial to the experience of cold.

In this article, we will explore in detail both the physiological reasons and the fascinating connection between mind and body in thermal perception. More importantly, we will discuss how scientific approaches, such as clinical hypnosis, can be valuable tools for health professionals seeking to promote their patients’ well-being, helping them manage not only physical symptoms but also the emotional responses associated with aging.

The Body in Transformation and the Sensation of Cold

As we age, our bodies undergo transformations that affect our sensitivity to cold. Several physiological factors contribute to elderly individuals feeling colder than younger ones. Let’s explore some of these changes:

• Reduction in metabolism: Basal metabolism, which is the amount of energy we burn at rest, tends to decrease with age. This reduction means less heat is generated by the body.
• Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia): Over the years, muscle mass decreases. Since muscles are responsible for generating heat, their absence reduces the body’s ability to warm itself.
• Thinning of the subcutaneous fat layer: The layer of fat that serves as insulation also becomes thinner with age, leaving the elderly more exposed to the cold.

In addition to these changes, blood circulation can also become less efficient, hindering heat distribution throughout the body. Being aware of these transformations is essential to understand why the sensation of cold intensifies in old age.

The Internal Thermostat’s Response to Aging

As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that affect how we perceive temperature, especially the sensation of cold. A key point in this alteration lies in the thermoregulation system, where the hypothalamus, the region of the brain responsible for regulating internal temperature, plays an essential role. With age, the efficiency of this ‘thermostat’ decreases, resulting in a reduced ability to regulate body temperature.

Moreover, the response of blood vessels to external temperature also becomes less effective. The process of vasoconstriction, which normally helps conserve heat, is less responsive in the elderly. This means that in cold environments, they cannot maintain adequate body temperature as before.

Additionally, the ability to shiver as a way to generate heat decreases with age. In this context, vulnerability to hypothermia becomes a serious concern, as even mild exposure to cold can have more drastic consequences than for younger individuals.

Therefore, paying attention to these symptoms is crucial to avoid complications. It is essential to be aware of what happens in the body over time and how it affects our thermal perceptions and responses.

Mind and Body: How Stress Modulates Thermal Perception

The sensation of cold in the elderly is not only related to physical changes but also to emotional factors. Stress and anxiety, common in adulthood and especially in old age, can magnify the perception of cold. The body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, which activates during stressful episodes, diverts blood flow from the extremities, resulting in colder hands and feet. This becomes more significant for the elderly, as their bodies already face challenges related to circulation and thermoregulation.

When stress becomes chronic, the sensation of cold can intensify, leading to a vicious cycle of discomfort and anxiety. This complex relationship between mind and body highlights the importance of addressing thermal perception holistically.

Scientific hypnosis, as promoted by the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, can be an effective tool to help individuals change automatic thoughts and behaviors. By promoting relaxation and focused awareness, hypnosis helps redefine how individuals interpret their sensations and environments. Thus, by reducing stress and anxiety, it is also possible to alleviate this sensation of cold, contributing to an overall state of well-being.

Scientific Hypnosis in Supporting Comfort and Well-Being

Scientific hypnosis can be a valuable tool for health professionals working with the elderly, especially when addressing the sensation of cold, which can be intensified by stress and anxiety. Although hypnosis does not “cure” this sensation, it offers an effective way to manage discomfort. The principle guiding it, as advocated by the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, is clear: “what stress and anxiety worsen, scientific hypnosis can help.”

Through a state of focused attention, hypnosis allows individuals to connect with a sense of deep relaxation. This can be vital for the elderly, as a relaxed state favors blood circulation and, consequently, helps with peripheral body warming. Health professionals can integrate hypnosis into evidence-based treatments, enhancing their effectiveness and contributing to a better quality of life.

It is essential to remember that hypnosis should be used ethically and responsibly. Only qualified and authorized professionals should practice it, respecting their areas of expertise and the well-being of patients. Through a careful and informed approach, hypnosis can be a promising resource to help minimize the impact of perceived cold, addressing emotional aspects that often exacerbate this sensation in older individuals.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we have unraveled that the answer to the question ‘why do we feel colder as we age?’ is multifaceted, involving a complex interaction between body and mind. We have seen that physiological changes, such as decreased metabolism, loss of muscle mass, and changes in circulation, form the biological basis for this increased thermal sensitivity. These are natural and expected processes of aging that make the body less efficient at generating and retaining heat.

However, limiting the explanation solely to physiology would ignore a fundamental piece of the puzzle: our emotional state. The way stress and anxiety modulate our perceptions and physical reactions is undeniable. Chronic tension can keep the body in a constant state of alert, diverting blood from the extremities and perpetuating the sensation of cold, creating a cycle of discomfort that significantly impacts quality of life.

It is precisely at this point that scientific hypnosis reveals itself as a powerful and ethical tool for health professionals. Instead of miraculous promises, it integrates into evidence-based practices to focus on what can be modulated: the automatic thoughts and behaviors that intensify suffering. By helping a patient manage anxiety, hypnosis can, indirectly, promote relaxation that improves peripheral circulation and, consequently, thermal comfort.

Learning to apply hypnosis scientifically and responsibly is, therefore, a way to enhance results and provide more comprehensive and humanized care. It is about equipping oneself with a technique that expands the ability to help people change how they interpret and react not only to cold but to a wide range of challenges posed by stress and anxiety.

Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis for professional application? To enhance your results in your current profession or even to pursue a new career? Discover the training and postgraduate courses in evidence-based hypnosis offered by the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link: https://www.hipnose.com.br/cursos/

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do elderly people feel colder compared to young people?

Elderly individuals feel colder mainly due to physiological changes, such as reduced metabolism and loss of muscle mass. These factors decrease the body’s ability to generate heat. Additionally, the subcutaneous fat layer, which helps with thermal insulation, also becomes thinner with age, increasing vulnerability to cold.

How do stress and anxiety influence the perception of cold in the elderly?

Stress and anxiety can amplify the sensation of cold in the elderly. When stressed, the body activates the ‘fight or flight’ response, diverting blood flow from the extremities and resulting in colder hands and feet. This interaction between emotional and physical factors can create a vicious cycle of thermal discomfort.

What are the main mechanisms that affect body temperature in old age?

In old age, temperature regulation is affected by decreased efficiency of the hypothalamus, which controls internal temperature. Along with this, vasoconstriction becomes less effective, and the ability to shiver, which generates heat, is also reduced. These combined factors make thermoregulation less efficient for the elderly.

Can hypnosis really help the elderly deal with the sensation of cold?

Yes, scientific hypnosis can be an effective tool to help the elderly manage the sensation of cold. It promotes relaxation and can improve blood circulation, contributing to peripheral warming. Hypnosis affects how people perceive their sensations, helping to reduce the emotional response to cold.

What are the recommendations for providing thermal comfort to the elderly?

To provide thermal comfort to the elderly, it is important to ensure a warm and comfortable environment. Wearing layered clothing, using heaters, and blankets can help. Additionally, techniques such as hypnosis and practices that promote stress reduction can also contribute to improving thermal perception and overall well-being.