Can You Blame the Cold—for Your Cold?

Phew! You made it through this week’s “polar vortex”—the popular name for the arctic plunge most of the country experienced. But now that the temps are headed back to normal, you’re suddenly sniffling, coughing, and feeling downright lousy. You have a cold because it was so darn cold out, right? WRONG!

Cold weather makes you cold, but it doesn’t make you sick. The culprit? Spending time inside, and picking up the nasty germs from the sniffling sickos who are sharing your air. But don’t panic—protect yourself! Here’s three easy ways to keep a cold at bay:

• Get plenty of zzzzzs—studies show that folks are more likely to catch a cold when they’ve had less than 7 hours of sleep per night. So go for 8—you’ll feel great!
• Wash your hands!—cold bugs can last up to 24 hours on surfaces like doorknobs and light switches. So wash your hands often and well, using antibacterial soap and warm water.
• Add spice to your life—Stir raw garlic or cayenne pepper into hot soup or stew to keep your nose from stuffing up.

·        If clogged sinuses are already driving you crazy, apple cider vinegar can solve the problem lickety-split. Just mix 2 tablespoons with a tablespoon of raw honey in 8 ounces of lukewarm water, and drink it down.