Why Do We Shiver? | Winter Science | SciShow Kids?

We shiver when it’s cold because our bodies are trying to keep us warm by moving more.

When you're outside on a chilly day, your body notices that it's getting colder than it wants to be. To fix this, it sends signals to your muscles telling them to work harder. When your muscles move, they create heat, which helps keep your body warm. That’s why you might start shaking or moving quickly, like when you're trying to get ready for bed on a cold night.

Imagine you’re wearing a blanket that's getting colder and colder around you. Your body says, “I need more warmth!” So it tells your muscles to move, just like when you do jumping jacks or run in place. Each time your muscles move, they make heat, which is like a little fire inside you.

Even though shivering might feel weird, it's actually your body working hard to keep you from getting too cold, kind of like how a heater works in your house, but inside you!