Cold Hands and Feet? Here’s What Could Be Causing It
Do your fingers and toes always feel like icicles, no matter how many layers you pile on? Let’s explore some potential reasons for those persistent cold extremities and what you can do about it.
The Winter Chill Factor
It’s no surprise that dropping temperatures can leave you feeling a bit frosty. As the weather cools, your body’s natural response is to conserve heat by diverting blood flow away from your skin and extremities and toward your core. This nifty trick helps maintain a toasty internal temperature, but at the cost of colder hands and feet.
An Iron Deficiency Could Be to Blame
Beyond just the winter blues, chronically cold hands and feet may signal an iron deficiency. Why? Well, without enough iron, your body can’t produce sufficient hemoglobin—the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Less oxygenated blood means poorer circulation, especially to those areas farther from your heart like your fingers and toes.
When It’s More Than Just the Weather
Occasionally, icy digits can indicate an underlying health condition. Raynaud’s phenomenon, for instance, causes the small blood vessels that supply your extremities to overreact to cold or stress by constricting excessively. This temporary lack of blood flow can turn fingers and toes cold and numb—ouch!
Get Moving to Get That Blood Pumping!
You know what they say: motion is lotion! Regular exercise helps make your circulatory system more efficient at delivering that sweet, sweet oxygen everywhere it needs to go. So in addition to your normal workout routine, try peppering your day with little “movement snacks.” Do some stretches when you wake up, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or squeeze in a few squats during breaks. Every bit counts!
Breathe Deep for Warmer Digits
Don’t underestimate the power of your breath. Deep belly breathing encourages your blood vessels to dilate, promoting healthy circulation. So anytime you’re feeling chilly, slowly inhale through your nose, letting your belly rise as you fill your lungs. Then exhale fully, squeezing out any lingering stale air. Just a few minutes of this can work wonders!
Spice Up Your Life (And Your Circulation)
Speaking of natural remedies, certain spices and herbs may also give your circulation a gentle nudge. Cinnamon, ginger, and ginkgo biloba have all been used traditionally to improve blood flow. Our Veintain formula combines these warming, circulation-boosting botanicals into one convenient supplement.
Stress: A Recipe for Icy Fingers
Can’t seem to shake that chill no matter what? Don’t discount the role of stress. When you’re constantly frazzled, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, pulling blood away from non-essential areas (like your hands and feet) and sending it toward your vital organs instead. Take a beat to manage that stress through exercise, meditation, yoga—whatever works for you.
The bottom line? There are lots of potential culprits behind perpetually cold extremities. But with a little lifestyle TLC aimed at boosting circulation, you can hopefully wave goodbye to frozen fingers and toes for good!
Photo “Cold Hands” by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Health
Zoom Health is a leading UK supplier of Home Health Tests and Earplugs
