These health benefits may change your mind about cold weather

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts know the adage, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing."

I learned this firsthand during my fat biking days in Minnesota, embracing sub-zero conditions and frozen nostril hairs while staying toasty and warm pedaling on snow-packed trails.

Before you go thinking I'm crazy, hear me out: cold air does have some benefits.

Better for the brain

Studies have shown humans work more efficiently in an environment free of temperature extremes. Students, for example, test better when the surrounding air temperature is around 62 degrees.

Reduces inflammation and pain

Vasoconstriction is a physiological process that occurs when the environmental temperature decreases. Blood vessels constrict in cold conditions and, as a result, are less susceptible to swelling and redness.

Few allergies and bugs

Allergies disappear as plants don't produce pollen during the winter months. And pesky insects are fewer in number in winter, reducing the risk of mosquito/tick-borne diseases.

Strengthens the heart

As cold weather takes away your body's heat, your heart has to work harder to keep you warm. Cold conditions increase the heart rate, and in turn strengthen the heart muscles.

Burns calories

The body temperature starts to drop when the environmental air temperature dips below 57 degrees. Simple, involuntary shivering increases the body's metabolism and maintains a high body temperature. Exercising in the cold can increase metabolism by 16 times, burning more calories and fat in the process.