A study, carried out in December, provided a look at how the disease affects relationships and everyday life during the winter period. A third of Americans say their partner acts “like a baby” when sick.
The unusual gestures you make when you are sick Photo: Archive
Research by Talker Research and commissioned by Zipfizz in December 2024 found that lack of energy is the most common winter health complaint, affecting 58% of respondents. Common cold symptoms followed, with 42% having a cough, 40% reporting a sore throat and 38% dealing with congestion.
The study surveyed 2,000 Americans, including 951 life partners, and looked at how the disease affected life and relationships during the coldest months of the year.
The survey revealed that Americans spend less than half of their winter days feeling completely healthy. People have claimed to feel 100% fit for just 16 days during a winter month.
The study also exposed the dynamics of how couples deal with the disease. The answers given are very interesting. A third of those surveyed described their partner as “a baby” when sick. Partners were also characterized as stubborn (25%) and dramatic (23%), while 22% reported that their partner refused to admit they were completely ill.
The survey also revealed some unexpected manifestations. Almost a third of respondents (29%) reported that they had confused the days of the week, while 21% started arguing, for unclear reasons, with their loved ones. In more unusual cases, 14% admitted to putting objects in strange places, such as keys in the fridge.
“Winter is a tough and often busy time of year, so it tends to make us feel out of shapeMarcela Kanalos, spokeswoman for Zipfizz, said: “The results show that many people feel they are not at their best for half the winter period and this affects their mood, energy and the general enjoyment of life”.
12 strange gestures you make when you’re sick
Those who participated in the study recognized the 12 most unusual gestures they made when they were sick:
1. They put the shoes in the fridge;
2. They could not remember their own name;
3. They forgot to prepare the coffee;
4. They hurriedly put on shoes of the same color but with different heels;
5. They forgot to pick up their child from school;
6. They drove with pizza on the roof of the car;
7. They forgot their shopping on the bus;
8. They forgot why they left home;
9. They went to work on their day off;
10. They forgot an important doctor’s appointment;
11. They left their wallet/purse with their ID at home;
12. They accidentally threw the phone in the trash.
When it comes to managing illness, Americans typically experience two days of “suspected illness” before actually getting sick. Once ill, they complain about their condition an average of twice a day until recovery, reports Study Finds.
The research also explored preventive measures. Staying hydrated emerged as the most common proactive step (80%), followed by taking vitamins and supplements (77%) and getting adequate rest (75%). When illness occurs, 61% prioritize rest, 58% focus on hydration and 46% turn to medication.
