Gesundheit: Now is the time you’re most likely to get a cold – while the average Briton is ill for more than half the year
As the nights draw in the and weather becomes colder (albeit only slightly, in the case of this year), sales of cold remedies begin to rise. And it turns out the first two weeks of November are the UK's most sniffly, after new research found this is the time Britons are most likely to get a cold.
The research, by Tetley Tea, found the average Briton spends more than half the year afflicted with some kind of illness or injury. Over a lifetime, that equates to 34 years.
Over the course of the winter, most workers will battle with three colds, four headaches and two sore throats each, missing out on six social occasions.
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Perhaps that's because they'll be soaked by rain five times, they'll step in four puddles and they'll be irritated by someone else coughing or clearing their throat loudly on four occasions (although we'd wager that'll be more for Tube commuters…).
They'll also spend £132 on cold remedies – although they're twice as likely to reach for the chocolate than they are to turn to healthy food.
“Battling anything from sniffles to headaches can contribute to a sense of feeling run-down regularly, with those rumbling winter grumbles, including reduced daylight, higher heating bills and lost umbrellas, only serving to make things worse," said Dr Hilary Jones (yes, him off the telly), who worked with Tetley on the study.
“Now’s the time to take action and look after yourself that little bit better. Keep hydrated, top up your vitamin levels in line with your body’s needs… [and] stay active."
And if you do get a cold, whatever you do – don't drag yourself into work…