Win the Cold War

American Adults suffer through as many as four head colds a year, but you can beat the odds- or recover faster- with these research-backed strategies. Pump Up the Probiotics- A recent review of 10 different studies showed that 42 percent fewer people caught a cold after consuming any amount of these healthy bacteria- whether in supplement form or in foods like yogurt- for more than seven days. Take Your Stuffy Nose Outside- In a recent study from Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, particapants reported feeling less nasal congestion whil breathing cold, dry air than they did when they breathed normal room air- even though their nasal passages were unchanged. Menthol or eucalyptus lozenges help relieve stuffiness too, for the same reason: As far as the trigeminal nerves in your nose are concerned, "cool" equals "clear." Hit the Gym- People who got at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise dive or more days a week had fewer and milder colds than those who were less active, according a a recent British Journal of Sports Medicine study. "Exercise sparks a temporary rise in immune cells," explains lead author David Nieman, PH.D. director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Appalachian State University. Practice Crowd Control- Research conducted during a flu outbreak in Nottingham, England, found that those who had taken mass transportation in the past five days were six times more likely to end up with a respiratory infection than those who hadn't traveled by bus or train. Protect yourself by not touching yoru nose or eyes while in transit and washing your hands immediately afterward. Make Some Music- Specifically, hum some tunes, advises Timothy McCall, M.D. author of Yoga as Medicine. "Vibrations from humming open the sinuses and let phlegm drain," he explains, "which can relieve uncomfortable sinus pressure and may even help stave off a bacterial infection." -Shape Magazine