There are plenty of seemingly well-known facts that can make you want to give winter the cold shoulder. You’ve probably heard about the various phenomena in winter that can cause illness or other health problems and accepted them as fact. In reality, a lot of the common “facts” about winter are more fiction than truth.

Here are some of the top myths about winter busted and some of the lesser-known facts:

Cold weather makes you sick: MYTH
While the incidences of colds do rise in the winter months, the weather is not to blame. Experts believe the rise is due to the increase in time spent indoors, resulting in germ exchanges.

Going outside with wet hair can cause a cold: MYTH
Wet hair might cause you to be cold while you’re outside and while you’re warming up after, but the only thing that causes a cold is bacteria.

Sunscreen isn’t necessary in the winter: MYTH
Sunscreen is needed year-round. Not only does it protect against sunburn, but it keeps your skin healthy by blocking UV rays. Even though you may not be tanning in the winter, you are still subjected to the negative impacts of being in the sun.

The weather affects your mood: FACT
You may notice that people seem happier in the summer. This is because the instances of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) rise in the winter. The lack of sunlight contributes to this condition.

Washing your hands can prevent illness: FACT
Most viruses are spread by germs that have been transmitted to hands. Simply washing your hands effectively can dramatically reduce the risk of illness.

You can get the flu from the flu shot: MYTH
The flu vaccine does not contain any live viruses and therefore can’t cause the flu. Some people may experience flu-like symptoms after receiving the vaccine as the body develops an immune response to it. The symptoms, while undesirable, are not the flu and are far less severe than those of the flu.

You can still get allergies in the winter: FACT
While we may not notice allergies in these months, allergies can be present all year. The cause of allergies changes with the seasons. While spring allergies may be pollen-related, winter allergies might be due to indoor allergens lurking in the air.

There’s no need to be frozen with fear, just make sure you’re keeping yourself safe year-round.

What are some things you’ve heard about winter that you thought were true but recently learned were myths?

You may also like:

• How to Have a Healthy Winter
• Winterize Your Home for a Healthy Winter Indoors
• 7 Ways to Prepare Your Body for Winter

This article was originally published on www.ahealthiermichigan.org, a website sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Blue Cross and MADA are your trusted partners in building a healthier business and workforce.

Photo credit: AntonioGuillem

To many, the concept of the future seems scary. Most of us live in the present and might not even know what we’re having for breakfast tomorrow. While it’s easy to only look at the not-so-distant future, it’s incredibly important to plan for your long-term needs. It’s never too early to be prepared.

Here are three key ways to make sure your family isn’t left not knowing your wishes in the event of a tragedy or unexpected setback.

1. Create an estate plan. Estate planning is creating a plan for how your estate will be managed and who will manage it throughout your life and after death. When planning where your belongings will go, it’s also important to consider the other implications that it will pose to the beneficiaries, such as tax and legal effects. Federal and state taxes on estates can be some of the highest. It may seem unnecessary to a college student, but experts encourage young adults in their 20s to start estate planning. It’s always helpful in the event of a tragedy and only requires a few important legal documents.
2. Designate a power of attorney. Everyone should also have a designated power of attorney. POAs are commonly selected when someone gets to retirement age, however you may select a POA anytime after your 18th birthday. Special circumstances may prompt the need for a POA earlier in life. This person has the power to act on your behalf if you are ever deemed incapable. It should be someone you trust, who knows you well and who would be comfortable making very difficult decisions. Always ask your desired power of attorney if they are okay with the responsibility before you officially designate them as POA.
3. Consider long-term care insurance. Unlike traditional health insurance, long-term care insurance is designed to help you in the event of a long-term service need. These policies reimburse the policyholder for daily needs such as food, bathing, etc. The cost associated with the policy varies based on a variety of factors, but it is recommended that you apply for long-term care insurance in your 50s. At this age, your health is generally pretty good and you’re able to add coverage down the road if you need it. Learn more about supplemental insurance options to consider here.

For all of these decisions, it is recommended that you consult with a trusted professional advisor to make sure you are choosing the best option for you. They can also offer legal advice in the event of uncertainty.

Long-term planning may seem like a major undertaking, but you can set smaller tasks and goals to accomplish all the planning you need. Breaking it up will help to make it more manageable.

Conversations such as these can be hard, but they are necessary and can save you and your loved ones from confusion down the road.

Photo credit: PeopleImages