Why do hands and feet get cold?

Cold hands and feet are often a sign of sympatheticotonia, which is the predominance of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic system is activated in response to stress, anxiety, and internal tension. One of its manifestations is the narrowing of peripheral vessels (vasoconstriction), which reduces blood flow to the extremities, causing hands and feet to feel cold even in relatively warm environments.

If this condition is chronic, it means the body is in a constant state of readiness for "fight or flight" — that is, in chronic stress.

Additionally, besides coldness in the extremities, sympatheticotonia may be accompanied by:

• increased heart rate;
• anxiety;
• sleep disturbances;
• tense muscles;
• dry skin or mucous membranes;
• high blood pressure;
• digestive problems.

To alleviate sympatheticotonia, the following are usually helpful:

• breathing techniques (square breathing, slow breathing);
• relaxation practices (meditation, yoga);
• thermal procedures;
• normalization of sleep;
• stress management (psychotherapy, cognitive techniques).