Does Being Cold And Wet Lower Your Immune System?

So the real question is: does being cold and wet lower your immune system?

That’s what we are here to find out.

The Origin Of The Old Wives Tale

For years people have been passing down the following wisdom:

• Don’t go outside in the cold with wet hair.
• Make sure you bundle up when you are out in the cold.

This advice stems from the fact that people get sick more often in the winter, leading people to believe the cold weather itself is what is making you sick. (Source)

This is not the case.

However, that doesn’t mean that you are not more susceptible to getting sick in colder weather.

The Science Behind It

While the cold weather itself doesn’t cause you to catch a cold, you can become sick more often when the weather cools down. (Source)

There are a few reasons this happens:

Immune Response

Colder weather can have an effect on your immune response which leaves you more open to infection.

This is because your immune system becomes more “sluggish” in cold weather which allows viruses to multiply faster.

A basic explanation for this is that your immune cells are meant to commit “suicide” in order to prevent the spreading of viruses.

They are less likely to do this in cold weather than they are in warmer weather.

Lower Vitamin D Levels

Another reason your immune system can be affected in the colder weather is that you get less Vitamin D in the winter months than you do in the summer months.

Because people tend to stay inside during colder months, and the days are shorter so there is less time to expose yourself to the sun, most people do not get the same levels of Vitamin D in the winter as they do in the summer.

Vitamin D is crucial when it comes to activating your immune system.

Cold Weather and Your Nose

Cold temperatures also affect your nose, which plays a role as well.

You might not know this, but your nose is very important when it comes to your immune system.

Your nose helps you defend yourself against illness due to the tiny hairs and mucus collecting dust, bacteria, and other germs.

In the colder months, your nose’s immune response is suppressed, causing you to get sick easier.

Dry Air

Dry air can make it harder for your body to fight off infection. This is because a lack of humidity makes it easier for flu viruses to spread. (Source)

Using the heat in the winter can make the air you are in even drier.

Narrowing Blood Vessels

Dry air can also cause the blood vessels in your upper respiratory tract to become more narrow which makes it harder for white blood cells to travel and fight infection.

Using Cold To Your Advantage

Even though being out in the cold can make you more susceptible to catching a cold or flu, there are some benefits to being cold as well.

This has never been more prevalent than as cold plunges and ice baths are becoming popular for health and wellness.

A major advocate for cold plunges and ice baths is Wim Hof.

It might seem counter-intuitive, but cold plunges actually have great benefits.

Not only that, but cold plunges can help build up your immune system.

So how does that work?

By exposing your body to cold water you release Glutathione, an antioxidant that aids the immune system.

Glutathione helps by redirecting your immune response to antiviral pathways which can increase your immunity against infection.

How To Take The Plunge

If getting into cold plunges sounds like something you are interested in, there are some tricks to keep in mind to get you started.

These include:

• Don’t go too cold too soon
• Don’t start out too long
• Make sure you stick to it
• Keep control of your breath
• Make sure to go all the way in to your neck

Cold plunges can be expensive, but don’t let that discourage you. You can make an ice bath all by yourself.

How To Boost Your Immune System In Cold Weather

There are many things you can do to help improve your immune system in cold weather to prevent catching a pesky illness.

These tips and tricks include:

• Keeping your nose warm with a scarf
• Eating enough fruits and vegetables
• Keeping up on your protein intake
• Taking probiotics
• Use a humidifier
• Try to get some sunlight
• Get enough sleep
• Get enough Vitamin C, D, E, and B6

If you are finding it hard during the long winter months to get the proper nutrients, you can always look into supplements.

A great way to get more fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and probiotics is to take a greens powder supplement. Greens powder supplements have risen in popularity as life has gotten busier for the average adult. Currently only 10% of people get the proper servings of fruits and vegetables, and that is because no one has the time to buy, wash, and cook the ideal servings every day. (Source)

If greens powders seem right for you, look no further than Supergreen Tonik.

With a comprehensive list of ingredients that are specifically designed to get you the quantities you need to operate at your best, Supergreen Tonik is the best greens powder out there.

Conclusion

While cold weather can put your immune system into a lessened state, cold weather itself is not what makes you sick.

With the proper considerations, you can protect yourself from catching an illness in the winter, and even use cold temperatures to your advantage, like during an ice plunge.

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