We’ve all heard some of these common myths about the cold weather or how it affects our health. Like how it’s more likely to get sick during the cold weather or the fact that vitamin C will protect us at 100%. However, professionals have managed to unmask these superstitions. Here are 10 winter health myths debunked by science and experts.
1. Dressing warmly avoids you getting sick
Who hasn’t bundle up in various layers of thick clothes before stepping outside our homes to prevent catching the cold? Well, it’s not the weather that we should worry about, but rather the germs (a.k.a. bacteria and viruses). These fellows are the real cause of illness, not just the low temperatures.
According to Hieu Tran, a nurse practitioner and active member of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, if you haven’t been exposed to a virus, cold weather won’t make any difference. There are over 200 viruses that can cause the common cold. Furthermore, Aster Hospital pointed out that germs spread more during the winter because of close contact of being indoors with many people, unaware of of whether they’re a germ carrier.
I’m not saying that we should no longer cover ourselves with proper clothing! But perhaps we’ll be more prepared during the chilly season than with a cozy sweater.
2. You shouldn’t exercise in the cold
Yep, you can actually run outdoors even if it’s a cold day. A research published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise pointed out that, in cold temperatures, race times are actually faster—and quicker paces burn more calories in less time.
Plus, according to a review in Environmental Science and Technology, that harder, faster workout can spike your endorphin levels, which are already increased just by you being outside.
Unfortunately, we no longer have the excuse of avoiding some exercise and staying inside in our warm bed.
3. Vitamin C prevents cold
This one could be considered a half-myth. In 2013, a study from the University of Helsinki stated that meeting our 75mg recommended daily allowance of is important in maintaining a healthy immune system to prevent and even fight off colds. Other studies have shown that taking a large dose of vitamin C at the first sign of sniffles may help shorten the length and reduce the severity of a cold.
However, while it is true that vitamin c helps in building immunity, it cannot help prevent or avoid catching cold or flu, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Also, to ensure the inmune effects of vitamin C, one must keep a daily required dose.
It takes more than a glass of fresh orange juice to combat a cold.
4. You lose body heat through your head
Honestly, I didn’t know about this winter myth. But no, your head is not the only one responsible of losing body heat. In fact, you’ll lose body heat from any part of your body that is exposed. The amount of heat you can lose through your head depends on a number of factors, including how thick your hair is and how much energy you use in the cold.
In fact, the findings from one 1950s Army study regarding this myth was debunked. Dr. Vreeman mentioned the following: “In the now-infamous study, volunteers visited the Arctic with their heads exposed. However, the rest of them was outfitted in gear designed to protect against the cold, so it’s logical that they lost most of their body heat from their heads”. If you go outside without gloves, you’ll lose a huge amount of heat through your hands.
“It’s a good idea to wear a hat, but other parts of your body must also be covered to keep you from getting cold”, experts say.
5. If you get a nosebleed, tilt your head back to stop it
Nosebleeds are more common in the winter because of cold viruses and drier indoor air. So, if you get one, should tilt your head back? The answer is ‘no’. Penn Medicine pointed out that tilting your head can cause blood to drain into your stomach, potentially making you sick. In rare cases, the blood could even make its way into your airways and cause choking.
Instead, they recommend the following steps to stop a nosebleed:
6. Drinking alcohol will keep you warm
Drinking some booze may make you feel warm because it causes blood to rush to your skin’s surface. Yet, in reality, the drink actually causes your blood vessels to widen, causing you to lose heat faster. “Drinking alcohol in the cold also decreases the shivering process, which produces extra body heat. But the worst part about alcohol consumption is that it impairs judgment”, stated Hieu Tran.
7. Dry skin during the winter is harmless
Do you know when I realize that winter is coming? Parched hands and chapped lips. Dry and itchy skin is a common occurrence during the winter months as a consequence of the cold weather. So why should we keep some night lotion or lip balm at hand?
Dermatologists recommend moisturizing and keeping the skin hydrated during the winter months as an important action. The reason behind this is the fact that dry skin is more prone to infections. Dry and flaky skin can cause small cracks in the skin, causing severe infections.
8. Cold air makes you sick
Despite being named the common “cold,” lower temperatures alone won’t make you sick. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Rachel C. Vreeman, MD, co-author of Don’t Swallow Your Gum! Myths, Half-Truths, and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health, mentioned that our cells that fight body infections increase if we go out into the cold. It’s a body’s method of combatting the stress of freezing temps.
Plus, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, cold viruses grow best at about 91 degrees.
9. You don’t need sunscreen in the winter
The fact that we have to store our summer outfits and bathing suits doesn’t mean that we should do the same with our sunscreens. On the contrary, we should be stacked with at least one!
“Because the Earth’s surface is closer to the sun during the winter months, we are actually exposed to more harmful rays without even realizing it,” said Dr. Robert Guida, a board-certified plastic surgeon. Moreover, the Skin Cancer Foundation stated that snow and ice can both reflect up to 80% of harmful UV rays. So, that means that UV can hit our skin twice more.
The sun and the UV rays are present across all seasons. Hence, it’s necessary to apply sunscreen on any time. Even if the sky is cloudy, the rays can still penetrate our skin, increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
So make sure to apply sunscreen before stepping out of your house.
10. Lack of sunlight causes winter depression
Dark days certainly don’t help. Still, there are many other factors besides lack of sunlight that can contribute to winter depression—especially around the holidays.
Busy work schedules, family stress, or worries about holiday expenses can trigger the blues. For example, during a freezing day, we’re tempted to curl in our beds. In reality, this won’t help since lack of movement can increase negative moods. “Moving around is helpful to everyone’s mood,” said Harvard psychologist John Sharp, MD. Besides, researchers of a study about Perception and Motor Skills found that even a single exercise session at any intensity can increase positive feelings.
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