Balancing heat gain and heat loss

The body tries to keep a correct temperature balance whatever it does and whatever climate it finds itself in. It balances heat gain against heat loss.

If we are too hot we try to cool down, if we are cold we try to heat up.

We also gain and lose heat to and from our surroundings. This is often beyond our control and in some situations e.g. falling into freezing water can become life threatening very rapidly.