Three Health Myths Debunked
In life, the right perspective can mean more personal joy and health and less suffering. Many people grow up with myths—beliefs common to a culture, unique to families, or developed from personal experience. Understanding where they come from and their context can help you decipher what’s useful and what to discard. Here are three common myths about cooler weather and the seasonal cold.
Myth #1: Cold Weather Makes You Sick
Cold weather does not directly cause illness, even though the term “catch a cold” is commonly used to label viral diseases in the fall and winter. Most diseases, like the seasonal cold or flu, result from viruses. Nevertheless, cold weather can increase your susceptibility to getting sick indirectly. Colder temperatures can lower your immune response, along with increased indoor crowding, dry air, and reduced ventilation in sealed buildings can all create conditions favorable to virus transmission. It's important to maintain good hygiene practices, dress warmly, and follow a healthy lifestyle to stay well in the colder months.
Myth #2: Going Out with Wet Hair Makes You Sick
One of the most enduring myths is that going out with wet hair can make you sick. This belief needs to be clarified. Illnesses, such as the common cold or flu, are caused by viruses and not by exposure to cold or wet conditions. That said, there are indirect factors to consider, such as being wet and cold, which can cause discomfort and weaken your immune system temporarily. If you're already fighting off an infection, exposure to the cold may make it more challenging for your body to recover. While wet hair won't make you sick, it's wise to dry your hair when it’s cold out and dress appropriately for the weather to avoid discomfort and reduce the risk of illness. Proper hygiene and strong immunity are key to staying healthy.
Myth #3: You Lose 90% of Your Body Heat Through Your Head
The notion that you lose 90% of your body heat through your head is also a falsehood. In reality, heat loss is proportional to the exposed surface area. The head is just one area among many on your body. While wearing a hat is important to stay warm in cold weather, you should also ensure that other body parts, like your hands and feet, are adequately covered. To keep warm in cold conditions, dress in layered clothing, wear gloves and warm socks, and protect your whole body, not just your head.
In summary, being cold and wet may temporarily lower your immune response, raising your susceptibility to viruses. Therefore, dress accordingly to maintain ambient body temperature. In addition, explore natural support for your immune system during cold weather with the following:
Leverage immune-enhancing medicinal mushrooms like lion’s mane, turkey tail, and reishi. These and other beneficial mushrooms are found in Natural Immunity Plus.
Take antiviral herbs such as Japanese honeysuckle, forsythia (the dual ingredients in the traditional Yin Qiao formula), and isatidis in the Immunity Formula, which have been used for thousands of years in Asia to help people ward off colds and flu.
Vitamin D levels plummet when the days get shorter, lowering immune function. Be sure to take D3 (Cholecalciferol) and K2 (menaquinones) together to help direct calcium into the bones and lower heart disease risks.
Myths, often passed down through generations, can influence our behaviors and beliefs. Understanding the facts behind these myths can lead to better decision-making and health practices, as well as dispel common misconceptions that have persisted over time.