Freeing knotted shoelaces with fingers that are frozen stiff is extremely difficult and can even be painful. The reason that sensitivity and dexterity are poor is that both nerves and muscles perform their tasks reluctantly when they are cold. Nevertheless ice-cold fingers ache and do so all the more in response to the lightest of knocks or squeezing.

What happens if you deprive a group of 7 and 8 year olds of computers, television and games consoles for two weeks? Even after just two weeks, families found they began to interact more, even to 'rediscover' their pleasure in each other's company. Children tired from an active evening were more liable to go to bed early and wake up refreshed and alert the next day.