Most Russians believe that “colds come from cold”, not from infection. Here are some of the most common advice that you will hear in Russia about avoiding colds and flu.
Girl dressed for winter, beginning of the 60s
Swimming in ice-cold water
There is an opposite school of thought though – cold water treatment to train your body to cold. This involves cold showers, but on practice not many people do that. But a lot of adults do swim in ice-cold water in winter. How does that fit with the previous concept? Easily. People swim in ice-cold water on a certain church holiday, when cold cannot do any harm.
Other than that – Russian people do not differ from Western people in how to prevent cold. We also take vitamins and know that sport makes you more healthy. And from time to time you start seeing people, wearing masks in the subway, but that is still very rare! And people have very controversial views on flu vaccinations and on vaccinations in general!
However, if you are unlucky and you caught a cold, see how to treat colds and flu using Russian home remedies!
© 2016 Tatiana Golubeva. All rights reserved.
Maya - 6 years ago
very interesting! My Polish grandma and mom were the same way to me when I was a child back in Poland. I will never forget my grandma yelling at me because I was sitting on a stone stairs in summer “Dont sit on the stone because you will get sick!” or “don’t walk barefoot cause you will catch cold!”
Anonymous - 5 years ago
My roommate in university was Russian (I am American). I remember when I caught a bad cold and she scolded me for eating ice cream while being sick! :)