They say this is the most wonderful time of the year. That's debatable, especially if you're not a big fan of cold weather.

The arctic blast of January and February is right around the corner, and you know what that means, time for all of us here in the upper Midwest to mentally and physically prepare ourselves to get another punch in the gut from Old Man Winter!

Who knows, maybe Mother Nature got all those bitter cold temps and wind chills out of her system in November? I doubt it. But we can always hope, right?

Anyway, as you get ready to do whatever it takes to stay warm during the worst stretch of winter, here are four things to watch out for that can actually make you feel colder.

The first thing is not eating enough. Studies have shown your body is better at dealing with cold weather when you've had plenty to eat. The same thing applies to staying hydrated during the cold winter months.

Another thing that can chill you to the bone is being on medication. For instance, drugs that treat high blood pressure, like beta-blockers, can make you more sensitive to colder temperatures.

Ever wonder why Grandma is always wearing a sweater once the temp dips below 40 degrees? Chances are it's because she's over 60.

Being over the age of 60 is the third thing that can make a person feel colder. People over 60 are far more susceptible to the effects of cold weather. Shivering is your body's way of keeping warm by making your muscles spasm. But as you age, it doesn't work as well. Therefore that is a big reason why Grandma's house always feels like a sauna.

Finally, the last thing that can make you feel colder is being used to warm weather. If you just moved to South Dakota from a warm weather state like, Florida or Arizona, or maybe you're visiting family here in South Dakota for the holidays. Be prepared to freeze your patoot off! It will take your body awhile to get acclimated to the cold weather. There's no getting around it.

Time to go buy a REALLY warm coat and pair of gloves to wear until mid March! God let's hope not, huh?

Source: LiveScience.com

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