The Name of a Sneeze: What to Say When You Achoo.
Sneezing: Its Benefits and Traditions around the World
Sneezing is a reflexive behavior that occurs due to the irritation of foreign substances in the nose. Sneezing has some benefits for individuals, as it helps to expel harmful substances from the body and promotes healthy functioning of the heart and brain. According to health experts, sneezing an average of four times a day is considered healthy for people.
When someone sneezes in public, good wishes are usually expressed for their well-being. For instance, in Islam, a person who sneezes is called Yerhamukallah, which means may Allah have mercy on you. Similarly, in the USA, people say God bless you, in Greece, they say long live, and in Germany, they use the word Gesundheit to wish good health to the person who sneezes.
The tradition of wishing good health to a sneezing person dates back to ancient times. During the 1300s, when the plague epidemic spread worldwide, people used to express their best wishes for the sneezing person to lead a healthy life. Sneezing was associated with the plague because it was one of the symptoms of the disease. People who survived the disease were thankful for holding on to their lives, and they wished for the sneezing individuals’ healing.
Apart from expressing good wishes, sneezing has some health benefits for individuals. When someone sneezes, the heart and brain pump blood, which promotes healthier functioning of these vital organs. Moreover, sneezing helps to expand veins and open sinuses in individuals’ heads, which promotes healthy breathing. Sneezing also helps to excrete harmful substances from the lungs and keeps the airways clean.
In conclusion, sneezing is a natural reflexive behavior that has some health benefits for individuals. Moreover, different traditions around the world express good wishes for a sneezing person, which date back to ancient times. Whether it is Yerhamukallah, God bless you, long live, or Gesundheit, these traditions aim to wish good health and well-being to the person who sneezes.
