Five novel ways to stay healthy this year

Want to be one of those people who never get sick?

You know the kind of smug people I'm talking about. The kind who at the mere hint of someone coming down with a cold in the office never fail to mention that they "never get ill".

Well, DietPixie has the answer - and no it isn't the usual mantra of "eat more fruit and vegetables". In fact, we have come up 10 slightly off-the-wall things you can do to reduce the risk of becoming ill. They are:  

1. Put your toothbrush in the microwave

What? I hear you cry. Have the writers at DietPixie gone mad? Well, no actually.

By 'nuking' your toothbrush for 10 seconds in the microwave before brushing it can actually sterilise it from all those nasty bugs that make us sick.

Don't believe me? Well toothbrushes are great at getting your teeth clean, but they are also very good at breeding bacteria when not in use. The microwaves simply kill off any unwanted germs.

Another good idea is to change your brush every month or after you've had a cold. You would be 'dental' not to. Get it? Okay, I give up.

2.  Inhale air from your blow-dryer

Well, we did say these were a little off-the-wall. But in all seriousness, a study in Harvard Hospital, in England, found that people who inhaled heated air have less chance of catching a cold than use breathing in air at room temperature.

Simply set your dryer on a warm setting, not too hot, and hold it at least 18 inches from your face. Inhale through your nose for 20 minutes and hey presto! 

3. Take a garlic supplement every day

A recent study found that taking one supplement of garlic a day can dramatically reduce your chances of getting a cold. It's no miracle cure, however.

Of the 146 volunteers who took part in the research, those who took the garlic still got colds.

However, their symptoms were a lot less intense than those who had been taking a placebo.

Mind you, it may play havoc with your love life. But then again, no vampires will come knocking.

4. Use your knuckle to rub your eyes

The reason being is that it's less likely to be carrying germs than your dirty fingertips.

So why is this important? Well, your eye is one of the biggest entry points for germs entering your body, and the average person rubs their eyes around 20-25 times day.

5. Wash your hands twice every time you visit the bathroom and use a paper towel to turn the handle

Research carried out at Columbia University, USA, found that one wash was never enough.

In fact, in a study the university carried out recently, it discovered that washing once had very little effect on the amount of germs you carry on your hands, even when using anti-bacterial soaps.

As for using a paper towel to turn the handle, it may sound nuts, but it can greatly reduce your chances of picking up an infection.

Studies have found that many people going into public toilets don't wash their hands at all. They then transmit any germs they have picked up on to the door handle.

Using a paper towel is an ideal way to shield yourself for other's people dirty hands.  

For more information check out Stealth Health in all good bookshops and some rubbish ones too.