In Praise of Cold

Recently, we had a lot of guests coming to Boston for the wedding of our daughter. Many of them came from the warmer part of the country, like California, and they were quite vociferous in their displeasure of having to spend a few days in New England’s late winter.

This made me think—why is there such a resistance against cold weather?

I not only have no problems with cold, I actually prefer colder climate than hot. Perhaps it has to do with growing up in the extreme heat of an arid part of India. In those days, an air-conditioned room was bliss (we did not have any), and going for vacation in the cold areas, such as a “hill station,” was heaven. Perhaps that experience has shaped me into being who I am.

However, I am convinced that one does not have to be me to enjoy cold weather; I feel that the resistance against it is entirely irrational.

First of all, most of us get exposed to weather only when we step outside. Our homes are comfortably heated or cooled and so are our cars. Many of those who complain about cold hardly step outside these comfortable cocoons, so what difference does it make to them whether they live in cold climate or hot?

Second, when you do step outside, you can always protect yourself against cold by wearing warm cloths. You cannot do that when the outside is very hot. After peeling off that last layer of clothing, you just have to endure heat. So, as it turns out, you are more likely to be cooped up inside if you live in a hot place than in a cold one.

Third, it is more likely that the interior is heated in a cold place than cooled in a warm one. Air-conditioning is expensive and not considered essential. I lived without it when I was growing up in India. Even now I experience hot non-air-conditioned rooms in our own house (we do not have central AC), or when we stay in inexpensive hotels in many parts of the world. So, not only are you miserable walking outside in a hot place but also being inside. The same will not be true if you lived in a cold place.

Fourth, you feel more invigorated and healthy in a cold environment than hot. Being sweaty and perspiring does not lead to having a lot of fun. Lethargy takes over and the level of activity is curtailed.

If, by these arguments, I have convinced you that cold is not all that bad, and even could be good, you may be able to get more out of your life.

For instance, I don’t know how many times I have heard folks telling me that they would not go to Antarctica because they are afraid of being cold.  This irrational fear is keeping them from experiencing one of the most magical places in the world. (By the way, Antarctica in summer is warmer than Boston in winter.)

Also, unless you are living in the extreme north, most places that have cold winter also have distinct spring, summer, and fall. This four-season living provides you with constant change, and most people would agree that change is an important element in being happy. One can get bored if there is no change, no matter how “good” the situation is.

As an illustration, I go for walks on nearby trails in woods and around ponds, camera in my hand. Every time I go, I see something different.  The leaves turn from light green to dark green and then red and orange. Water turns to snow and ice. Birds come and go. The sunlight comes at different angles as the year progresses.

Try to get this variation and freshness in a place where the weather remains the same year around.