Won’t You Step into the Freezer
February, 2025
This winter has been the coldest I’ve experienced since moving back East five years ago. Bone chilling, single-digit cold - and don’t get me started on the “real feel” temperature, a number my husband is compelled to tell me on a daily basis. Living on a farm during these cold spells means learning how to keep the animals healthy and thriving - even if they don’t all grow an extra layer of fur in the winter as the goats do. For both the goats and the donkeys, the frigid temperatures mean extra hay, layers of compacted bedding, and frequent water bucket changes to break the ice and give them warm water to drink. The pigs get extra blankets, extra leftovers, warm water, and cuddles in their tent. When there is snow or slush on the ground, the chickens have to stay in their covered run so their feet don’t get wet and freeze/get frostbite and we put straw down to keep them dry. They also get extra protein in the form of mealworms and grubs. The inside of their coops and laying boxes have to be cleaned of poop/urine daily so it doesn’t freeze and turn into little blocks of ice which could make the girls colder.
Unfortunately, during the single-digit days, I was forced to cancel visits so everyone could hunker down and stay warm. When we had our first sunny day where the temperature was above freezing, it felt almost balmy for a few minutes before the reality of winter set in again. I mean, 32°F is cold! Well, 32° is cold to me. And, it’s cold to many of the parents and caregivers who try to bundle their sensory-sensitive children up to visit Helping Friendly Farm. Visits on these cold days usually follow the same pattern: Car doors open, coats, hats, and mittens are located, and everyone rushes into the warmth of the sensory barn. I chat with the parents or caregivers and they say how happy they are to be inside out of the cold. Then, sometimes after only a few minutes, someone invariably runs to the door asking, with words or gestures, to go outside to see the animals.
“It’s very cold out, let’s stay inside and play a little longer,” the parent says. “I’ll set a timer - how about 15 more minutes?” Or, my favorite, ”Why don’t we stay inside the barn today?” This is usually said as the child is already attempting to leave, sometimes without shoes or even socks. The fact is, us adults may not like to be outside in freezing weather, but the majority of kids don’t mind it. I remember some cold snow days when I was young. My sister, neighborhood friends, and I would build snow ramps to try and jump the little creek next to Mrs. Leif’s house. Sometimes we were successful. Other times, we’d end up wet. We’d trudge up the hill with our saucer sleds, icy water slushing in our boots. It was only when we felt numb that we’d consider going home for hot cocoa to watch our Freaky Freezie gloves and mittens turn colors as they warmed (ah, the 80s!).
While many neurotypical kids enjoy the cold and want to play out in the snow, there are many neurodivergent kids who actually crave the cold. The link between autism and temperature regulation sheds light on the idea that some people experience temperature differently. There may be a difference in the function of the autonomic nervous system in autistic individuals, which is responsible for regulating temperature, among other things. Sensory processing dysregulation, or differences with how the brain receives and interprets sensory information from the environment, may also play a role in why some of our neurodivergent kiddos don’t seem to mind playing outside in the cold without a coat or hat, while a neurotypical sibling might be bundled up in layers.
Having raised a sensory sensitive daughter, I know the struggle of dressing for societal norms. I also realize that as parents, juggling a vast array of disability-related issues, we need to pick our battles.
Not all neurodivergent kids like the cold, but all children are predisposed to handle frigid temperatures better than their parents. This may be because children and teens have more brown fat than adults. Brown fat is unique in that its primary purpose is to generate heat. It is packed with mitochondria instead of lipids like traditional white fat. It also helps burn calories and control blood sugar. As humans grow older, we lose most of our brown fat, keeping only small amounts around specific areas meant to help regulate body temperature. So, it turns out our kids who are sweaty while we are shivering actually have a biological reason for throwing off their coats. None of this is to say that parents shouldn’t be vigilant about cold temperatures and know when enough is enough - you know your child best.
Interestingly, there is a way to help adults increase brown fat. All you have to do is be cold! There was a study done on fishermen living in Finland who were regularly exposed to cold temperatures. The study showed that the fishermen had developed more brown fat around their neck arteries than men of the same age who worked indoors. While you’re visiting Helping Friendly Farm in the winter months you may actually be helping your body to withstand the cold in the long run, and get good health benefits while you’re at it. The colder you get, the more mitochondrial-rich brown fat you can make. Forget biohacking and cold plunges - just come hang outside with our animals!
We held our first cold weather community event a few weeks ago (a sensory-friendly Pre-Super Bowl dance party - Go Birds!) which was well attended and lots of fun. A few years ago I was skeptical anyone would want to come to the farm in the dead of winter. I’m happy I was wrong! The goats, with their winter coats, seemed especially happy to have visitors with whom to climb and play. The kids, most without wearing winter coats, were happy to oblige.
It’s cold outside - let’s play!!!