Warning: These habits could increase your risk of getting sick

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

We are all blessed with immune systems that fight off invaders at all times, but some viruses do manage to make it through and infect us. Catching a cold is something many of us experience every year, but it doesn't have to be this way.

There are a number of daily habits (that many of us are guilty of) that we never realized were harming our health. Luckily, there's a few simple changes that can make us less likely to catch the dreaded cold, and in this gallery you'll learn all about them.

Click through and see how you can prevent yourself from catching a cold.

You bite your nails

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Nail-biting is a sure way to get germs into your body.

You don't wash your hands properly

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

We all know how important it is to wash our hands, but many of us rush the process. Use soap, warm water, and wash them thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.

You don't drink enough water

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Not drinking enough water puts you at risk of dehydration, which negatively impacts your body's ability to process and flush out toxins, weakening your immune system.

You're under a lot of stress at work

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Chronic stress can make you more vulnerable to developing diseases. If you're experiencing burnout, you're more susceptible to catching a cold.

You consume too much sugar

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

A diet rich in sugar is detrimental to your health in general. This includes a negative impact in gut bacteria, which plays a vital role in your immune system.

You don't change your clothes when you get home

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Did you know that if a sick person coughs or sneezes around you, their saliva or mucous can hang on to your clothes? Do we need to say more?

You don't hug

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Hugging has an anti-stress effect. According to a study, snuggling can actually ward off colds. Just maybe don't do it with anyone that currently has a cold.

You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Antibacterial soap can actually kill good bacteria and lead to bacterial resistance. Colds are caused by viruses, and not bacteria, so opt for regular soap and water.

You always have a drink or two

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

You might think that alcohol makes you sleep better, but it actually affects deep REM sleep. Loss of quality sleep can have a negative impact on your immune system.

You're obsessed with cleaning

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Being a clean freak will not do you any favors when it comes to preventing a cold. Constantly cleaning your hands, for instance, will break down your skin, a living organ that is supposed to protect you from harmful germs.

You take the elevator

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Elevator buttons are touched by lots of people, so they're covered in germs. Not only that, but by taking the elevator you will be less active, and exercise can help you fight against viruses.

You workout too much

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

While exercising is beneficial for your health, too much of it can be detrimental. The constant release of stress hormones following exercise can increase your risk of catching a cold.

You try other people's food

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Unless it's someone you're intimate with, avoid sharing drinks or food. You're putting yourself at risk of also sharing germs.

You skip breakfast

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Unless you're doing so as part of a controlled diet (e.g. intermittent fasting), skipping breakfast can affect your energy levels throughout the day and consequently make you more vulnerable to catching a cold.

You hang on to the handrails

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

In addition to ATM buttons and shopping cart handles, these are some of the most germ-filled objects you can touch.

You don't clean gym equipment before using it

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Whenever possible, try to wipe down the machines at your gym before using them.

You smoke or hang around smokers

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

We all know how smoking exposes us to a number of toxins. With secondhand smoking it's no different.

You're skipping yoga

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Doing yoga can improve your breathing and decrease your stress levels, among other benefits. All of which have a positive impact on your resistance to colds.

You lack probiotics in your diet

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

We've mentioned previously how important it is to keep your gut bacteria in check. Probiotics help maintain healthy gut flora.

You're not controlling your breathing

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

If someone passes you and sneezes or coughs, breathe out and then only breathe in after they pass.

You talk too close to people

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Avoid coming into close proximity of people who clearly have a cold. In general, it's always safer to keep some distance when you're talking to people.

You don't clean germ-filled objects

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Your keyboard, phone, as well as light switches and doorknobs, should be cleaned on a regular basis.

You don't use your own pen

You bite your nails, You don't wash your hands properly, You don't drink enough water, You're under a lot of stress at work, You consume too much sugar, You don't change your clothes when you get home, You don't hug, You're using the wrong soap/hand sanitizer, You always have a drink or two, You're obsessed with cleaning, You take the elevator, You workout too much, You try other people's food, You skip breakfast, You hang on to the handrails, You don't clean gym equipment before using it, You smoke or hang around smokers, You're skipping yoga, You lack probiotics in your diet, You're not controlling your breathing, You talk too close to people, You don't clean germ-filled objects, You don't use your own pen

Despite technological advancements, we still use pens, but most of us no longer carry them. Think about how many people share pens nowadays, including those carrying cold germs.

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