How Weather Affects the Body: The Role of Temperature in Health

As seasons change, so does our body’s internal balance. According to principles in Oriental medicine and modern physiology, environmental temperature plays a crucial role in our health, affecting circulation, muscular function, and thermoregulation. Understanding how these shifts impact vulnerable groups, such as seniors and children, can help us better support our families throughout the year.

Temperature, Circulation, and the Body's Natural Defence

In traditional Oriental medicine, the skin and pores (comparable to the stomata on leaves) play a vital role in regulating internal heat. When the weather turns cold, pores naturally close to conserve warmth. Similarly, muscles tighten to generate heat, a phenomenon often observed as shivering. When the weather warms, the pores open, allowing for heat dissipation through sweat.

In Western medicine, this process is explained through vasoconstriction—the narrowing of blood vessels in cold environments. Vasoconstriction helps the body retain heat by reducing blood flow to the skin, but it also raises blood pressure because the heart must pump harder to circulate blood. This physiological response becomes more significant in older adults, especially those with pre-existing hypertension or cardiovascular conditions.

Winter Health Risks for Seniors

Cold-induced vasoconstriction is not merely uncomfortable. It can pose real health risks for elderly individuals. Aging arteries are often less flexible, and the narrowing effect of cold weather can cause a noticeable spike in blood pressure. This elevation increases the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular events during the colder months. For this reason, it's essential to monitor blood pressure regularly and ensure warm clothing and living conditions for senior family members during winter.

Research published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that cold weather leads to a greater increase in blood pressure in older adults due to increased arterial stiffness (Greaney et al.). The Mayo Clinic also warns of cold weather as a potential trigger for elevated blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, urging extra caution in winter months.

Children and the Myth of Overbundling

On the opposite end of the age spectrum, children, especially infants, have a naturally higher metabolic rate, which results in a higher baseline body temperature. This is a key reason why old-fashioned advice to bundle children heavily in cold weather isn't always appropriate.

Overdressing infants can lead to overheating and discomfort, which may increase the risk of heat rash. Instead, children should be dressed in breathable layers appropriate to the environment. Pediatricians at Seattle Children’s Hospital recommend monitoring a child’s neck or back (not hands or feet) to assess temperature comfort. They also note that infants lose more heat through their heads due to a larger surface area relative to body size—making hats more effective than extra body layers.

Spring clothes

Practical Tips for Seasonal Health

For Seniors:

    Keep indoor spaces warm and draft-free.

    Dress in multiple lightweight layers.

    Monitor blood pressure more frequently in winter.

    Avoid overexertion outdoors during cold snaps.

For Children:

    Use light, breathable layers that can be added or removed easily.

    Avoid heavy bundling unless necessary.

    Always use hats in cold weather to prevent heat loss.

    Pay attention to comfort indicators like flushed skin or sweating.

Conclusion

Seasonal transitions demand attention not just in wardrobe, but in our care for the body's internal balance. Whether it's the elderly at risk of hypertension in the cold or children overheating from excess clothing, understanding how the environment interacts with our physiology can help us support the health of our families throughout the year.

Works Cited

Greaney, J. L., Kenney, W. L., & Alexander, L. M. “Superficial Skin Cooling and Blood Pressure Responses in Humans.” American Journal of Hypertension, vol. 23, no. 10, 2010, pp. 1080–1085. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763834.

“High Blood Pressure and Cold Weather.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Feb. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058250.

“Cold Weather Cautions.” Harvard Health Publishing, 17 Jan. 2020, https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/cold-weather-cautions.

“Fever in Children.” Seattle Children’s Hospital, https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/illness/fever.

Charkoudian N. Skin blood flow in adult human thermoregulation: how it works, when it does not, and why. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003 May;78(5):603-12. doi: 10.4065/78.5.603. PMID: 12744548.

Hess KL, Wilson TE, Sauder CL, Gao Z, Ray CA, Monahan KD. Aging affects the cardiovascular responses to cold stress in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2009 Oct;107(4):1076-82. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00605.2009. Epub 2009 Aug 13. PMID: 19679742; PMCID: PMC2763834.

“Content - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center.” https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=696 , Accessed 8 May 2025.