When you feel temperature differently

Short answer: Two people in the same room can feel the temperature four to five degrees differently. The solution is a layer on one person, not a change to the thermostat for both. That way the one who is cold gets warm without the other one sweating.

The difference is real

Build and metabolism make a noticeable difference in comfort. It is not imagined when one person sits under a blanket while the other has pushed up their sleeves. It helps to accept the difference rather than argue about it. Then the conversation is about what fixes it, not about who is right. See bamboo boxers.

Layers instead of the thermostat

An extra layer on one person solves it without bothering the other. Turn the heating up, and the room gets too warm for one. Turn it down, and the other gets cold. One more layer on the person who is cold is the only fix where both feel better at the same time. It is also the fastest. See long sleeve styles.

Feet first

Cold feet make the whole body feel cold. That is why a pair of socks is often the first thing to make a difference, and the smallest step needed. Keep a spare pair by the sofa or the bed so they are within reach in the evening. It is easier than getting up for a jumper every time. See socks for men.

A thin layer underneath

A thin layer close to the body often does more than a thick jumper on top. It keeps in warmth without bulk and can be worn under the clothes you already have on. A long sleeve T-shirt under a shirt or close fitting underwear under trousers is felt at once but hardly seen.

Evening is the hard part

During the day you move around and rarely notice the difference. It is in the evening on the sofa, sitting still, that one person starts to feel cold. Keep a spare jumper or a blanket where you sit. Then nobody needs to ask whether the heating can go up.

The bedroom for the warm one

In the bedroom it is often the one who runs hot who struggles to sleep. Keep the room cool, and let the one who feels cold sleep in an extra layer. A long sleeve top and a pair of socks are enough for many. Two duvets of different weights are another way to solve the same thing.

Choose fabrics that breathe

When you add a layer, it is nice if it does not turn clammy should you warm up after all. Soft, breathable fabrics are comfortable to wear for a long time. A layer that is easy to put on and take off makes it simple to adjust through the evening as the room changes.

When the difference changes

How cold you feel can shift with the season, activity and sleep. It is normal to have periods of feeling the cold more than usual. If you suddenly feel much colder than you normally do, without a clear reason, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.

Frequently asked questions

Why is one person cold and the other not

Because build and metabolism differ. Two people in the same room can feel up to four or five degrees of difference, without either of them being wrong.

What is the best solution

A layer on the one who is cold. An extra layer solves it for one person without making the room too warm for the other, and it can come off again at any time.

Where should you start

With the feet. Cold feet make the whole body feel cold, and a pair of warm socks helps faster than a jumper because it deals with the place you feel the cold first.