If our internal body temperature is 98.6 degrees, why aren't we most comfortable in 98.6 degree weather?

Question

Does it have to do w/ body heat we give off, or the fact that we're not cold blooded?

Answer 1

you are close to correct with the "body heat we give off" thought

remember, every movement we make (including the beating of our hearts) creates heat

that heat has to go somewhere or stay in your body

if you were to wrap yourself in a really good insulating blanket so that almost no heat could escape, the heat you generate would stay in your body and increase the temperature of your body

soon, your brain would overheat and you would die

the heat has to go somewhere and thats why we are comfortable in a temperature that takes away our extra heat but doesn't strip us of what we need to keep our core at that 98+

when you excersize, you make more heat, and you need more heat removal, which is why we like it even cooler when we are working hard

Answer 2

Yes, our internal body temperature is around 98.6 degrees... here are the problems:

--We wear clothing...
--We generate heat to maintain a relatively constant body temperature...

It may not seem like much, but layers of clothing do a lot to retain heat which is why taking your shirt off seems to make such a big difference or why simply putting on a light, long sleeve shirt can take the chill out of the air. It's very simple thermodynamics at work and why we're not more comfortable when the temperature gets above 80 to 85 degrees.

Next, we actually generate heat to maintain our body temperatures... that means we're actually burning energy... even if we're still and not moving. This heat HAS to escape our bodies otherwise our body temperature will continue to rise.

The closer the air temperature is to our own body temperature, the more difficult it is for heat to dissipate from your body. Once again, simple thermodynamic principles in action... Heat travels from areas of high temperature to low temperature.

Answer 3

Because 98 degree weather does not allow us to dissipate the heat out bodies generate. Why do 104 degree hot tubs fell so good and 98 degree hot tubs feel so cold?

Answer 4

each part of our body have different temp according to their functions for example the temperature of lung and heart is entirely different likewise our skin which is the protecting layer for us has a definite temperature in that temperature only we feel comfortable and the temperature of our internal body is not 98.6 degrees because as i said each organ/part of our body has different temperature

Answer 5

cause the body is always making heat and you must have sweat evaporate or lower ambient temp or combo to stay at 37 deg C.

Answer 6

Because our skin is more comfortable at a much cooler temperature.

Answer 7

Hmmmmm. Mine usualy clocks in around 97.5.

Answer 8

this is the greatest question on this sight. i look forward to finding out the answer, cuz i don't know

Answer 9

Exactly!

Answer 10

humitidy