More than half of Britons would rather brave the cold than suffer through the heat currently gripping the UK, new polling has shown.
A survey of 2,000 adults found that 52 per cent of the nation prefer colder conditions, while just 28 per cent would rather be warm.
People who favour cooler temperatures say they sleep better, hate feeling sweaty, and are more irritable in the heat, according to drinks brand Minus 196.
Laurence Wainwright, a senior lecturer at the University of Oxford, said people often prefer cooler weather because it is easier to regulate body temperature.
“With cool weather, we can control that to some degree,” he said.
“[In the UK], only about 5 per cent of homes have air conditioning...there's only so many layers you take off when it when it's hot.”
Around 65 per cent of those who prefer to be cold say it is because they get better sleep, the poll revealed.
“I think the public are aware of the impacts that heat has on sleep, and it's very fresh in their memory from what's happened the last couple of months,” he added.
The research comes as the UK suffers through its fourth heatwave this year, with wildfires devastating large swathes of land across the country.
Some 63 per cent of people who prefer the cold said it was because they hated being sweaty, while 50 per cent say it is because they are more irritable when hot.
“The body has limited resources to do almost unlimited things, so it has to make trade-offs,” Dr Wainwright said. “It has to make tough decisions, and when it's overheated, it says, ‘this is a high-level risk, we have to put all of our resources into cooling down’.
“As a result, some of those higher-order cognitive functions, like the ability to have an empathetic, thoughtful conversation with a partner, go out the window.”
Dr Wainwright said hotter temperatures can also be detrimental for people with mental health conditions.
“For those with an existing condition, symptoms are worsened, and new symptoms can manifest. The medications cause a whole range of different problems...side effects, particularly sweating, can be exacerbated.
“For those taking antipsychotics, like those with bipolar and schizophrenia, antipsychotics actually interfere with the ability of the body to thermoregulate.”
People taking stimulants for ADHD might also find that some of the side effects, like sweating, could worsen, and their body temperature could increase.
He added: “For the entire country, we know that poor sleep is directly correlated with poorer mental health outcomes.”
The research also found that during a heatwave, 44 per cent of Britons will avoid exercise, 39 per cent will steer clear of household chores, and 38 per cent will not go outside.
Some 30 per cent say they will also avoid public transport if it is too hot.
A spokesperson for Minus 196 said: “Everyone has their own way of getting through the heat, whether that’s reaching for a cold drink, sitting in front of a fan or simply avoiding anything too strenuous.
“Heat can affect everything from sleep and productivity to our social lives, meaning most feel they function better when things are a little cooler.”
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