Our modern lives have made us comfortable, maybe a little too comfortable. We’re quick to turn up the heat when it's cold and blast the AC when it's hot, ensuring that our environment is always perfectly regulated. But in doing so, we've lost touch with our body's natural ability to adapt to temperature changes, a skill that our ancestors relied on daily.

Take a moment to think about a viral post from Sweden a few years back. A mum shared how she left her baby in a pram outside a café to nap, while she enjoyed a coffee inside (while keeping a watchful eye on the baby, I should mention!). The temperature was well below freezing, yet this is a common practice in Scandinavia. Babies are often put outside to sleep, even in negative degrees. This practice might shock some, especially here in New Zealand, where we tend to fear the cold. We bundle up our kids, insist they wear extra layers, and generally avoid the chill at all costs.

But do we really need to be so afraid of the cold? Our bodies are far more adaptable than we give them credit for. Children, in particular, have an incredible ability to regulate their body temperature. They can run around in a t-shirt in the winter and be perfectly fine. This ability is a remnant of our caveman days when we moved seamlessly between the elements, our bodies naturally adjusting to the environment.

Nowadays, we move from homes set to a cozy 21 degrees, to heated cars, to climate-controlled offices, rarely exposing ourselves to natural temperature fluctuations. As a result, we've become more sensitive to both cold and heat. But here's the good news: you can retrain your body to adapt once again.

The key? Embrace the heat and the cold. Incorporating practices like cold showers, saunas, and cold plunges into your routine can do wonders for your body's ability to regulate temperature. By regularly exposing yourself to these extremes, your body becomes more tolerant and resilient.

This is especially beneficial if you're someone who often has cold hands or feet. Alternating between hot and cold not only improves blood flow but also makes your organs work more efficiently. Imagine it as a workout for your circulatory system, strengthening it and making it more robust. But there's more, cold water gives you a good hit of Dopamine, which will elevate your mood and sharpen your mind. Being in the sauna increases your endorphins, which also makes you happier & lower your stress. So, if you suffer from stress and/or anxiety, go and get hot or/and cold! Ideally both. 

So, the next time you find yourself shying away from a cold breeze or overheating in the summer sun, remember that your body is capable of so much more than you think. With a little training, you can reclaim the natural resilience that’s been lost in our temperature-controlled world.

So...are you up to the challenge to turn the shower to cold for the last 30s of your next shower? Your body will thank you for it!