An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away. Or Is It Exercise?
Yesterday morning when I came home from swimming, my husband yelled at me. “It’s 20 degrees out! Your hair is wet. What, are you trying to get sick?” Isn’t it sweet that he wants to take care of me?
I reminded him that germs can’t live in the cold outside, and having a wet head for a few seconds in the cold isn’t going to get me sick. It might get me frozen hair, but not sick.
We don’t get sick from being outside in the cold. We get sick because it’s cold out and we spend so much time indoors around other sick people.
It started thinking about getting sick. Not with anything life-threatening, but with the usual winter culprits: a cold, sore throat, a stomach virus, or this year’s favorite: Swine Flu.
And I realized I haven’t been sick since I started taking better care of myself. Now, I have a pretty sturdy immune system anyway. I’ve always chalked that up to being a mom. When everyone gets sick around you, moms don’t have the luxury of being sick. And my kids are grown now, so I don’t have them bringing home all kinds of germs.
But, hubby and the kids have been sick this season. And work is a regular germ factory. Somehow, though, I’ve avoided it. I really believe that eating healthier… the apple a day thing, or other fruits and veggies… and regular exercise have strengthened my immune system even further, allowing me to fight off all those germs. Even when I go outside with a wet head.
Hopefully, the next time I blog, I won’t be sniffling into the nearest tissue now. 
Has anyone else found that your healthier lifestyle has kept you, well…. healthier?
Hey, check it out. I was featured in an article on MSNBC.com last week. My 15 minutes of fame. I’m going to keep blogging about it until someone tells me they saw the article!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34622447/ns/health-fitness/
I have noticed that I haven’t had my usual 2 a year sicknesses that I did before I got healthy. It’s great!
What a nice article, you look great Diane!
I’m now 41 and ever since I started working when I was 18 I have been sick at home 2 times for a week. I now and then have a cold but not bad enough to stay at home. I believe that exercise and eating healthy builds up a strong immune system. When I look at my co-workers, so many already have been sick but I haven’t been this winter yet, no even a little cold.
And what you say: you can’t get sick from wet hair, that’s a fairytale
Thanks Fran!
I think better foods and exercise really do a lot to keep us healthier. It’s an added bonus, since I really hate being sick!
I’d send the author two dozen donuts for revealing the year you turned 49.
Susan, I turned 49 in 2008. Turned 50 in 2009. I don’t need the donuts though!