The human body doesn't "expect" anything, it simply must maintain its core temperature. If the temperature of the environment goes lower, the body responds by
1) increasing thermogenesis, i.e. convert chemical energy to heat through metabolism
2) reducing heat loss through the extremities by reducing blood flow there. In other words, you get cold feet and hands etc.
For people not bothered by cold, presumably it's mostly (1). For me, being skinny and not having a big appetite, it seems to be mostly (2). I suppose I could get used to having cold extremities half the year. But why suffer if I can simply put on an extra layer of clothing? I don't see the point.
but you can change what temperature you are comfortable with. i have experienced that myself. coming from an area with cold winters and heating, moving to an area without heating, i found winters absolutely horrible because despite mild temperatures outside, having those same temperatures inside was unbearable. until i got used to it. more or less.
recently i visited a friend in the north who had heating. but he complained that their heating was not good enough, and i saw him wearing a jacket inside. i, on the other hand, felt very comfortable because his weak heating was warmer than my no heating.
likewise in milder climates people start to put on winter coats when the temperature drops a few degrees outside, while i, used to much colder temperatures am still running around in a t-shirt much longer than everyone else.
the primary problem with it being cold inside is that you are not moving enough. while i am fine to have no heating in most of the house, i am heating my office because there i am sitting for many hours without moving much.
1) increasing thermogenesis, i.e. convert chemical energy to heat through metabolism
2) reducing heat loss through the extremities by reducing blood flow there. In other words, you get cold feet and hands etc.
For people not bothered by cold, presumably it's mostly (1). For me, being skinny and not having a big appetite, it seems to be mostly (2). I suppose I could get used to having cold extremities half the year. But why suffer if I can simply put on an extra layer of clothing? I don't see the point.