Got a cold? You've been too warm

Spending too much time in constant and comfortable temperatures lowers the body's resistance to illness. Bettina Levecke reports.

It's warm and cozy indoors - the heating system keeps temperatures constant. Car interiors are temperature-controlled and room temperatures at workplaces are pleasant, too. Nevertheless, many people are suffering from colds at the moment.

"Our bodies are pampered," says Ulrich Betz, director of the Institute for Physical Therapy, Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. "Over time, the lack of exposure to natural stimuli weakens the immune system."