So, what do you do with this information? First, change your sneeze position. Instead of your hand, sneeze into the crook of your elbow—the “vampire sneeze.” It catches the bulk of the spray and keeps your hands clean.
If you feel it coming, turn your face away from people and aim down. Looking up helps because gravity pulls the larger droplets down faster. But honestly, the elbow is your best friend.
Don’t hold it in. Holding a sneeze can rupture blood vessels in your eyes or eardrums. Let it fly free, but into your arm. Yes, it’s awkward, but it’s better than a popped eardrum.
Fun Facts to Share at Parties
Did you know that sneezing is genetically linked? Some people have a reflex called photic sneeze reflex, where they sneeze when they see bright light. About 18 to 35 percent of people have this odd superpower.
Also, your heart doesn’t actually stop when you sneeze. That’s a myth. It can speed up or skip a beat due to changes in blood pressure, but it keeps on ticking. So no, you don’t die for a second.
How Far Does a Sneeze Travel? Experts Reveal the Distance
And finally, the world record for the longest sneezing fit is 978 days. Yes, a woman in the UK sneezed over a million times in a row. Compare that to your little two-second blast, and you’ll feel grateful.
