EVER WONDER?
Why do we shiver? ❄️
Shivering is your body’s way of making more heat.
A part of your brain called the hypothalamus helps control your body temperature. When it senses that you’re getting cold, it sends signals to your muscles to quickly contract and relax. These tiny muscle movements create heat and help warm your body, but they also use a lot of energy.
What happens if your body temperature gets too low? 🌡️
Most people’s body temperature is between 97°F and 99°F.
The temperature at which you start shivering can depend on things like your age, body fat, and metabolism.
If your body temperature drops too low, you can develop hypothermia. Mild hypothermia begins when your body temperature falls to 95°F or lower. This means your body is losing heat faster than it can make it.
You don’t have to be outside in freezing weather for this to happen. Cold water, wet clothes, or strong winds can also cause your body temperature to drop.
Hypothermia is dangerous because your brain, heart, and other organs need a certain temperature to work properly. Even a small drop in body temperature can make it harder to think clearly and move normally.
Are there other reasons we shiver? 😬
We can also shiver when we’re:
Scared or nervous. This is part of the body’s fight-or-flight response. A rush of adrenaline can make muscles contract, causing shivers.
Feeling awe or excitement. Strong emotions can also trigger our nervous system.
Sick. Shivering can help raise body temperatures when the immune system is fighting an illness.
In these cases, shivering isn’t caused by cold weather but by signals from your nervous system.