Man! How long does it take to get used to temperatures like that? As someone who grew up in California, I simply can't stand cold houses. If a house is anything but warm in the winter — let alone 5°C — I get depressed and miserable and completely lose my concentration. My home gets stripped of its homeyness and I feel completely hostage to the environment.
Ummm... This is my 6th winter. It is probably the first winter that I have consistently enjoyed ;-) Every year it gets better as I learn what to do and what not to do. My mother in law has several forms of heat in her house but absolutely refuses to turn it on. For a few years I was quite worried about her, but I've since realized that she just likes winter. It is massive culture shock at the beginning, though.
Being uncomfortable seems like something you should avoid. I think this is the general culture of the west. However, as I have adapted to this way of living I've come to realize that there are 2 kinds of discomfort -- discomfort that injures you and discomfort that doesn't injure you. You can ignore the latter.
Perhaps the easiest way I can explain it is through food. Many people love spicy food. The spicier the better. But it hurts! Why would you do that to yourself? Similarly, in the US (and spreading fairly rapidly), incredibly bitter beers are getting quite popular. Some of the highest rated beers are actually hitting the threshold of bitterness that we can taste. The reason people like these spicy and bitter foods is because along with the pain comes an amazing flavour. If you could have the flavour without the pain, it wouldn't be nearly as nice because it would be cloying.
This is also true of cold winters and hot summers. I admit that my capacity to enjoy 30+ degree weather with 80-90 percent humidity far exceeds my capacity to enjoy 5 degree weather with wind, but both are increasing each year.
If you would like to try this, I don't think there is any particular need to turn off your heat every day through the winter. On a day that you feel strong, accept that you will be miserable and turn off the heat. Then spend the day trying to find good things (you have to try a hot water bottle!!!). You will probably hate it, but you may surprise yourself that you discover some very nice things. Just like getting used to hot food, you can try it occasionally and perhaps even start to enjoy it.
Hmm, that's a very interesting way to look at it. So you would say you've grown to enjoy the cold? I can definitely relate in that I used to hate bitter beers and spicy foods, but now I've conditioned myself to love them by forcing myself to eat them over the years. Eventually, hate turned to tolerance turned to love. But there, I could see the benefit: both opened up an entirely new world of food for me. What does the cold get you, aside from a lower heating bill?
I would have to say that I don't actually like the cold :-) What I like is the contrast. The sun is nice. The sun shining down on you in a protected area (or through a window!) on a cold day is indescribably wonderful. I never used to like soup particularly much, but on a cold day I practically die for it. That kind of thing.
