Here are some winter health myths that my Mom tried to pass off as real.

When I was a kid, I thought my Mom knew everything. Now that I'm older, I don't think she was deliberately lying to me. She just trying to protect me. It reminds me of a scene in the movie, "The Waterboy."

Video: The Waterboy "Mama said."

My Mom was especially an expert on winter and health.

Here are some things she told me that are myths according to msn.com.

  • Cold air will give you a cold - She would tell me if I played outside too long the cold air would make me sick. "The cold air does not make you sick. What makes you sick is the germs, bacteria, and viruses that get in your body after you’ve touched your nose, mouth or eyes without washing your hands."
  • Drink alcohol to stay warm - Okay, my Mom never actually told me this one, but she always seemed to have a flask to share with the other adults when it was cold. "Drinking alcohol may make you feel warmer but your body temperature is actually going down."
  • Skip the sunscreen - I remember coming in after playing out in the snow on a sunny day and my face was red. I asked if I got a sunburn and my Mom looked at me like I was crazy. "People don't realize that their skin is still at risk of ultraviolet radiation exposure during the colder months as well."
  • Lack of sunlight is the reason for the "winter blues" - I was told people were grumpier in the winter because daytime was so short. "You may have Seasonal Affective Disorder. In some cases, the lack of sunlight may contribute to SAD because it causes the brain to create less serotonin."

How about you? Did you hear these things growing up? Do you have other myths to share?


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