Did you know being cold can make you sick?

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It's true, being cold can actually make a person sick and here's why... I know no one likes to get that nasty heating bill. We do everything we can to cut back like turning down the thermostat, putting on an extra layer of clothes. But did you know if your body is cold for extreme periods of time it can make you sick? What happens is extreme exposure to sudden boats of coldness, over a period of time can actually lower your immune system. If you work in an area, office or building where even having a sweater on you still feel cold, you should ask that the heat settings be changed. This constant exposure to the cooler temperature lowers your body temperature making your body work harder. One should feel moderately comfortable in their working environment. Wearing a sweater is fine, but not if you're still feeling chilled, complaining of your hands being cold or even feet. When your immune system is weakened you might find yourself catching a cold easily. Maybe you just had the sniffles, then suddenly a sore throat, next up a stomach bud. Suddenly you're getting sick over and over again with not knowing why. The most likely cause is right under your nose, your immune system has been weakened because of excessive exposure to cold temperatures. Steps You Can Take - First you have to take a sick day and get yourself healed. That might mean more that one depending on how ill you have been. - Work on building up your immune system by eating healthy, drinking lots of fluids, getting rest and most important staying warm. - Let your boss know that you're having an issue with constantly getting sick due to the cooler temperature setting, and it's affecting your performance. - Continue to bring an extra sweater with you just in case you get chilled. It may take anywhere between 1 to 2 weeks to get your body back on track again. During this time your immune system will be at risk so try to stay away from anyone sick. Use hand lotion that kills bacteria, and keep some tissues near by for those who might be fighting off their own colds. You're employer might think they are save money by turning down the heat, but if you see a lot of people at work getting sick over and over, you might want to table this discussion on health and safety in the workplace. Note: This article is based off my own personal experience with the condition. After my doctor realized what was making me sick, we took the necessary steps to get my body back in tip top shape again.