- Myth: You can catch a cold by being out in the elements too long.
You’ve probably heard the old warning that going outside in chilly weather, and staying there too long, can make you “catch” a cold. Not true. Going outside—with or without a wet head—is one of the best things you can do to prevent catching a cold. Actually being cold has nothing to do with your risk of catching a cold. Colds are caused by viruses or bacteria which are more often spread in the winter because of close contact from everyone being indoors. That’s right, spending time outdoors can make you less susceptible to those nasty germs. - Myth: More people are depressed during the winter months than at any other time of the year.
Gray, dreary skies. Holiday stress. Bitter-cold weather. It seems natural to assume that depression spikes during the winter months. Health experts say that’s just a myth. Contrary to popular belief, major depression is not more rampant during the winter months than at any other time of the year. What about the wintertime sadness you may be feeling? The "holiday blues" is a significant, temporary, stress-related condition. It is not a recognized medical ailment or diagnosis. Some people may also experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which has symptoms similar to depression, such as insomnia, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. It only occurs during the winter months. If you suffer from these symptoms, or just have less energy in general during this time of year, consider trying light therapy. An inexpensive 10,000-lux light box (which can fit on your desk) used 20 minutes or so a day, may give you a boost—even if you haven't been diagnosed with SAD by a medical professional. Click here to learn more about light therapy. - Myth: The idea that eating chicken soup can zap a cold is just an old wives' tale.
Your mom or grandmother may have raised you to believe that there’s something magical about chicken soup when it comes to treating a cold or flu, but is it true? Yes! Turns out, there’s some real science behind this. Chicken soup may have a positive effect on your immune system with something called neutrophil aggregation—which means “bringing white blood cells together.” White blood cells help fight off infection in your body. They are integral to helping you feel better faster. While it’s not clear if other broths or hot beverages have similar immune system benefits, hot liquids like tea and broth can help reduce the symptoms of a cold or flu virus, relieving sinus and throat pain. - Myth: You lose most of the heat from your body through your head, so you need to wear a hat.
We’ve all heard this one—and perhaps it worries you when you’re out during the winter months. If your don’t wear a hat in the cold, is it drawing dangerous amounts of warmth from your body? Not really. It’s largely a myth. While it’s true that you’ll lose heat from any part of your body that is exposed to the elements and not covered with clothing, forgetting a hat is not a major health risk. You’re no better off in shorts and a hat than warm pants and no hat.
Bottom Line: A hat is great in cold conditions. If you leave your house without a hat to take your dog for a walk—it's no biggie. A warm coat is much more important to keep you insulated. - Myth: You shouldn't exercise in the cold.
You may already be unmotivated to lace up your running shoes and head out into the cold. If you're worried that chilly-weather exercise is bad for your health, don’t be. It’s fine to exercise in the cold. Just make sure you warm up first. That may mean walking a bit before starting on a vigorous run or avoiding a big hill until you’re acclimated to the temperature. Sudden physical exertion in cold weather can, at times, be a risk for cardiovascular strain. For instance, leaving your armchair and heading outside to vigorously shovel snow. (An important note: Anyone with a history of heart problems should always consult his or her health care provider before starting any new exercise regimen—in the cold or otherwise.) Your best bet for winter workouts is to ease in slowly. - Myth: We need more sleep in the winter.
Admit it... When winter hits and the sun seems to all but disappear, the thought of hibernation sounds appealing, doesn't it? That sleepy feeling you may get in the winter doesn't mean you should always let yourself snooze longer. It's natural to want to be cozier and be in bed more. You don’t technically need more sleep. It's likely that the scarcity of sunlight in the winter months makes you think you're sleepy. There’s nothing wrong with going to bed earlier, but beware of sleeping too much. You may find that when you get too much sleep, you feel sleepier during the day, even a little dazed. - Myth: You don't need sunscreen in the winter.
It’s cold and cloudy, so you can retire your sunscreen until the sunny days at the beach return this summer, right? Wrong. The sun and UV rays are present in every season. Wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30. It's best to wear a UVA/UVB blocker. The best ones contain zinc or titanium. - Myth: Frostbite is hard to get.
Frostbite may sound like something people dealt with in the old days, or possibly a condition suffered only by hardcore ski enthusiasts. Not only is frostbite easy to get, it’s more common than you think. How do you get it? When skin—usually on the extremities, like hands and feet—becomes too cold or wet (or both), it can become slightly numb and then blister. It can happen fast—even in just 30 minutes, while in extreme cold and/or wet conditions. If blisters occur, then there may be damage and the skin may turn black. You may become insensitive to heat and cold in the future. With further damage, you may suffer nerve damage and lose fingers and toes. Don’t think that it needs to be -10°F for you to run into trouble. The temperature can be relatively warm at 32°F, but it's more about how long your bare skin is exposed. Wet skin is very vulnerable. - Myth: Dry skin is just a harmless winter annoyance.
Itchy, flaky skin can be an irritating and unsightly consequence of dry air, no matter what season it is. Don't just write it off as an annoyance. Dry skin, if not kept at bay, can be a portal for infection. It's very important to keep dry skin hydrated. When your skin becomes dry, it can lead to small cracks that can leave your body prone to infections. To prevent this, moisturize twice daily—after you shower and before bed—as well as throughout the day for body parts that are prone to dryness, like your hands. - Myth: You can’t get allergies in the winter months.
In the winter, there’s good and bad news for allergy sufferers. If you have pollen allergies, they will be better in the winter. If you're sensitive to indoor allergens, such as pet dander or dust mites, your allergies may be even worse. Although your sneezing and sniffling may not be from seasonal culprits, your indoor allergies could be more bothersome than usual.
The information contained on this website is provided for your informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice from your health care provider. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care professional regarding any medical condition. Information and statements provided by this site about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Bodies@Work does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, third-party products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned anywhere on this website. Reliance on any information provided anywhere on this website is solely at your own risk.
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