why do we say god bless you when someone sneezes

The phrase "God bless you" said when someone sneezes likely originated from several superstitions and historical beliefs. One common belief was that a sneeze expelled the soul from the body, making the person vulnerable to evil spirits, so saying "God bless you" acted as protection or a blessing to keep the soul safe. Another origin traces back to the bubonic plague in 14th century Europe, when sneezing was a sign a person might be falling ill and saying "God bless you" was a prayer for protection or survival. Additionally, some thought sneezing momentarily stopped or skipped the heart, and saying the phrase helped the heart restart. Today, the phrase is mostly a polite social custom without the original superstitions, but it continues as a way of wishing health and well-being after a sneeze. Similar practices exist in many cultures, with responses wishing health or good fortune in various languages.