It's Beneficial to Use a Humidifier in Winter
By Paul Rothbart
In many parts of the country, winter means cold weather. Turning up the thermostat, or lighting up the fireplace or woodstove are the norm. Between the weather and the heat sources, the air becomes very dry. This can wreak havoc with your respiratory system, your skin, and even airborne viruses. During the winter months, it's a good idea to use one or more humidifiers in your home to add moisture to the air. Here are some of the benefits.
It Helps Keep Skin from Drying Out
One of the worst effects of dry, winter air is that it seems to suck the moisture right out of your skin. You tend to feel itchy and flaky as well as have chapped lips and dry eyes. None of these conditions feel good and they are all bad for your health. As the human body is about 50-60 percent water, it's important not to let it dry out. Running a humidifier in winter can put moisture back into the air. This can go a long way toward preventing the drying out of the skin, eyes, and lips.
It Can Prevent Snoring
When they sleep, many people breathe through their mouths. In the winter this dries out the throat and its tissues. Dry skin vibrates when air passes over it and this causes snoring. It can wake your partner and even yourself if it's especially loud. Snoring can also lead to breathing problems such as apnea. Using a humidifier in your bedroom can keep the air moist and thus, your throat. This is soothing and can help prevent snoring.
It Can Help Prevent Viruses from Spreading
Illnesses increase in the winter because people tend to stay indoors and spread viruses to each other. Airborne viruses spread more easily in dry air. Research found that higher humidity levels indoors could reduce the spread of viruses by 45 percent or more. The effect was found to work on 85 percent of known airborne viruses. This is perhaps the best reason to use a humidifier in the winter.
It Can Help Prevent Static Electricity
When you're a kid, static electricity is kind of cool. You feel like a superhero. For adults, it's not so much fun. Static shocks hurt. I am hesitant to touch metallic objects in winter and find it annoying. Static also causes clothes to stick together, and worse, it can damage electronic circuitry. Dry air increases the generation of static electricity which is why it's so prevalent in winter. Humidifying the air can be very helpful in preventing static electricity from forming.
Winter is easier to navigate with certain things such as warm clothing. To fight the dry air and its negative effects, using humidifiers is an excellent idea.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Dallas, Tex.