YOU, HEALTHIER & HAPPIER

Research shows your favorite Halloween traditions and indulgences are a boon for your wellbeing

- BRENDA KEARNS

Strengthen immunity with a Halloween party

Whether you host a fun Halloween gathering yourself or say “yes” to someone else’s invite, you're shoring up your protection against seasonal viruses as you celebrate. And that can help you sail through cold and flu season in perfect health, suggests a study out of Brigham Young University. Experts say spending time with friends and loved ones switches on genes that keep white blood cells energized, helping them quickly find and destroy troublesome invaders like viruses, bacteria and fungi.

OR FILL THE TUB: Enjoying three soaks each week could cut your risk of winter illnesses by as much as 90%, plus ease your sore throat, stuffy nose and other symptoms in 20 minutes if you're already under the weather, say Finnish scientists. Even a brief spike in body temperature kick-starts production of proteins called interferons that halt the growth and spread of germs.

Sharpen your memory with chocolate