Our ancestors did not have a heated home or warm clothing. The human body therefore has automatic mechanisms that protect the organs from the cold. These mechanisms include goose bumps, muscle tremors and reduced blood flow.

What exactly do these mechanisms do, how do goose bumps work?


Goose bumps are the body's reaction to the temperature of its surroundings. If the outside temperature drops, the body tries to maintain its normal temperature of 37 degrees. Goose bumps are one of the measures used to maintain body temperature.
Originally, our entire body was covered with thick hair. So when small muscles in the skin contracted and the body hairs stood up, the warm air was trapped against the body. This created a kind of insulation between the skin and the outside air.
As we have now lost our fur through evolution, goose bumps are no longer effective. They are merely a remnant of evolution.

Another effective way for the body to maintain its temperature is through muscle tremors. In the short term, muscles are stimulated to make rapid movements that generate heat internally. However, it is better to move, because muscles in motion produce ten times the heat of a resting muscle.

Burning calories also helps to maintain body temperature. In winter, the body uses more energy than in summer, even without exercise.

In extreme cold, the blood flow to the extremities is reduced. Only the vital organs are still fully supplied with blood. The temperature of the arms and legs drops.