Adults suffer as many as four head colds a year; and often summer colds linger longer than the winter ones. Worse, the sore throat and headache that heralds the start of a cold often begins just as we’ve arrived at our summer holiday destination.

The chance of getting a cold in summer is only one in four compared to winter. But there are factors that may increase the risk, including long-haul flights. Try these tips to prevent them:

Pump Up The Probiotics
A review of 10 studies showed that 42% fewer people caught a cold after consuming any amount of these healthy bacteria. The probitoics were in supplement form or in foods like yoghurt, and were consumed for more than seven days.

Hit The Gym
People who do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise five or more days a week had fewer and milder colds than those who were less active, according to a UK study in the Journal of Sports Medicine. ‘Exercise sparks a temporary rise in immune cells,’ explains lead author Professor David Nieman, of Appalachian State University.

Make Some Music
Hum, advises Dr Timothy McCall, author of Yoga as Medicine. ‘Vibrations from humming open up the sinuses and let phlegm drain,’ he says, ‘which can relieve uncomfortable sinus pressure and may even help stave off a bacterial infection.’

Words: Dailyfix
Image: Website