Why Am I Always Cold? Common Causes and When to Worry (UK)

Everyday reasons you’re always cold

• Not eating enough, or skipping meals. Your body makes heat when it digests food.
• Low body weight: less body fat and muscle means less insulation and less heat.
• Sitting still for long periods, such as at a desk. Moving makes heat. See working from home.
• Poor sleep. See sleep deprivation.
• Stress and anxiety. The NHS notes that in people with Raynaud’s, fingers and toes can change colour when they’re anxious or stressed, as well as cold. See stress symptoms.
• A cold home. Older people and people with health conditions are more at risk in cold weather.

Medical causes to rule out

iMany of these also cause tiredness, so if you’re always cold and tired, ask your GP about a blood test. See why am I always tired? and tired in winter.

Always cold hands and feet

Cold hands and feet are very common, because your body pulls blood towards your core to keep vital organs warm. It’s usually nothing to worry about. The NHS says Raynaud’s, where blood stops flowing properly to fingers and toes, is common and can often be managed by keeping warm. See a GP if your fingers or toes change colour, become painful, or if it affects one side only or started suddenly.

How to warm up and stay warm

1. Eat regular meals, including warm food and drinks. See food and mood.
2. Move every hour: walk, climb stairs or stretch.
3. Layer up: several thin layers, warm socks, gloves and a hat outdoors.
4. Keep your home warm, especially the rooms you spend most time in.
5. Warm your bed with a hot water bottle or electric blanket used safely.
6. Get enough sleep and manage stress. See winter wellness.

A warm drink is one of the simplest ways to feel cosier on a cold evening. Our Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex is a warming cacao drink, and our Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is a caffeine-free bedtime drink; magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

When to see a GP

See a GP if feeling cold is new or getting worse, or comes with tiredness, weight changes, hair loss, pale skin, shortness of breath or changes in your fingers and toes. Call 999 if someone is very cold and confused, drowsy, has slurred speech or slow breathing, as these can be signs of hypothermia.

See also iron-rich foods (UK).

iCurious about wild swimming? Read our cold water swimming guide, and check with a GP first if you have Raynaud’s.

Related guides

• Sleeping with socks on and the best bedroom temperature.
• If your fingers or toes turn white, blue then red in the cold, see our full guide to Raynaud’s symptoms, triggers and treatment.
• If your toes or fingers get itchy red or purple swellings after the cold, read our guide to chilblains.
• If you’re always cold and your skin is dry too, it’s worth reading our guide to dry skin, which covers thyroid and other causes.
• How to use a hot water bottle safely, including when to replace it.
• If you warm your bed with one, see are electric blankets safe to sleep with?
• If it’s mainly your feet that feel like ice, see our guide to why your feet are always cold.
• Cold feet in bed? Read should you sleep with socks on?
• Wondering whether low blood pressure makes you cold? See our low blood pressure guide.