Tara Moore/Getty Images
When getting dressed in the morning, I want to warm up as quickly as possible. Should I put on my trousers or my top first?
Mike Tipton
University of Portsmouth, UK
The question seems to suggest that the person is cold on awakening in bed. So, the first bit of advice would be to get a thicker quilt. It is easier to stay warm than it is to get warm.
Assuming mild, generalised cooling has occurred, the blood flow to the skin will have shut down (vasoconstricted), reducing skin and limb blood flow to low levels. In this state, most heat loss occurs from the torso and head (conduction through the tissues), so a top (with a hood) will slow body heat loss more than trousers. But the sensation of being cold is strongly driven by the temperature of the hands and feet. Due to the vasoconstriction, these will be the coldest parts of the body, so warming them up will help.
If it were me, I would put a top on first, then a woolly hat and socks, or, better still, have a shower. Active heating (warm water) is much quicker than passive heating by insulation (clothing) in this situation.
“
In a cold room, your core body temperature must be maintained at about 37°C, but your lower legs and arms can be at around 31°C
“
Hillary Shaw
Newport, Shropshire, UK
Definitely put your top on first. In a cold room, your core body temperature must be kept at about 37°C (98.6°F), but your lower legs and lower arms can be at around 31°C (87.8°F). This is why you see postal workers still wearing shorts in winter.
Herman D’Hondt
Sydney, Australia
Let me ask you a question. On a cold winter’s day, would you prefer to go outside in shorts, but with a warm jacket? Or would you prefer to go topless, but with warm trousers? That should make it clear that you will lose more heat through your torso than through your legs. Hence, to warm up quickly, put your shirt on first.
To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.
Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.
Â鶹´«Ã½ retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.
