Statistics say you'll catch two to four colds this winter. Here's help to stave them off.How it helps: Sleep regulates the release of the hormone cortisol, which stimulates cells that boost the immune system, says Dr. William Ellert, chief medical officer of the Phoenix Baptist Hospital.

And a well-tuned immune system is crucial for defending against the cold virus.Getting at least seven hours of shut-eye is the easiest way to steer clear of the common cold. In fact, a recent study indicates that people who fall short are nearly three times as likely to catch a cold. To make bedtime even more healthful, try using a protective pillow cover, which can help prevent a stuffy, runny nose.Good to know: If you have trouble falling asleep, try a mind-calming exercise. For instance: "Go over everything you did during the day, but do it in reverse order," says C. Evers Whyte, director of the Center for Health Renewal, in Stamford, Connecticut. [Read the full article]

Exposure to creative pursuits early in life is key to helping children get motivated to do creative things themselves, said Shelley Carson, a psychologist at Harvard University and author of "Your Creative Brain: Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life."That's how Jolisa Brown, 11, whom her parents call a "superbrain," got into music. Her father, Delongelo Brown, began bringing Jolisa and her brother into his home music studio as babies. Jolisa developed a passion for singing and wants to be the head of a music company one day, having learned about her father's experiences in a band."It was hearing what he did and hearing how much he loved it [that] inspired me and made me want to do the same thing," said Jolisa, of Atlanta, Georgia.Parents should encourage their children to ask questions like "why" and "what if," rather than stifling those inquiries, Carson said. [Read the full article]