Home / Editor's Pick /

Winter myths: Feeling under the weather?

17:00
30 November 2022

Winter myths
Feeling under the weather?

Woman in woolly hat.

We're all used to hearing how easy it is to catch a cold once it gets to winter, so check out some of our top winter questions and myth busters below!

Do we lose heat from our head?

You may have heard that most of your body heat is lost through your head. But actually, the percentage of heat loss through that part of your body is only in the range of 7-10%.

Your body works hard to keep the brain warm, so it's definitely worth popping on a woolly hat! Be sure to read this one too, on the truth behind "catching a chill"!

Should we starve a fever?

If you are feeling under the weather, you should always feed your body nutritious foods, as this can help your recovery time, but also prevent an illness prior to feeling sick. Of course if it is a stomach illness, listen to your gut on that one!

Should we avoid exercise when sick?

In some cases, it's obviously a good idea if you aren't up to it! But for some, staying active won't make much difference. In fact, keeping your blood pumping can actually give you a boost! Just listen to your body, and don't push it too hard.

You don't need sunscreen

False! Although most of our winters call for an overcast sky, up to 80% of harmful UV rays can still penetrate through them. So don't let the clouds fool you, protect that skin!

You can stay up to date on just how cold its getting over the coming days via the TemperatureRadar.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
A weather map shows Hurricane Melissa over Jamaica. The Category 5 hurricane is moving over Montego Bay and Kingston with strong winds. Colours indicate wind speeds.
Wednesday 29 October 2025

Disaster in the Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa sweeps across Jamaica
Thursday 30 October 2025

Devastating damage

Hurricane Melissa rages in the Caribbean
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing wind speeds with red-orange shading indicating 40–55 mph gusts, strongest near Aberdeen; warning sign with wind sock icon overlaid.
Wednesday 29 October 2025

Warnings in place

Winds pick up for gusty Thursday
All weather news
This might also interest you
Wednesday 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Split weather map showing the UK and Ireland. The left side illustrates strong winds circulating around a low-pressure system, with gusts of 20–30 mph highlighted in orange and yellow. The right side shows radar imagery with widespread blue rain bands and patches of thunderstorms, especially over northern England and Scotland.
Thursday 28 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Remaining widely unsettled
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement