Chills are that sudden feeling when your skin gets goosebumps and you might shiver involuntarily, even when you're not actually cold. Your body creates chills in two very different situations.

When you're sick with a fever or flu, chills are your body's way of trying to warm itself up. You might feel freezing cold and shake uncontrollably while wrapped in blankets, even though your temperature is actually rising. These medical chills are uncomfortable and signal that your body is fighting an infection.

But chills also happen during powerful emotional moments. When you hear an incredible piece of music, watch a thrilling scene in a movie, or experience something genuinely moving, you might feel chills run down your spine. These are sometimes called goosebumps or getting the chills. Athletes often describe getting chills before a big competition. Some people get chills when they hear a national anthem or witness an act of unexpected kindness.

Scientists believe emotional chills connect to the same brain systems that process surprise and awe. That spine-tingling sensation tells you that something genuinely matters to you. When someone says a song or moment “gave them chills,” they mean it affected them deeply and physically, not just in their thoughts.