Sometimes, people may feel nervous about leaving a gadget running while they sleep because they are unsure about what might happen during the night. I am one of those individuals.
However, running a humidifier at night, or at any other time when you want to sleep, is perfectly safe as long as the water inside the humidifier is clean and the space doesn’t become excessively humid.
In this post, we will go over all the benefits of sleeping with a humidifier. They could be more than you think.
Table of Contents
1. Prevent you from getting sick
Viruses are known to be significant contributors to illnesses, and humidity plays a crucial role in their survival and transmission.
Research has shown that viruses thrive in environments with relative humidity (RH) levels below 33% as well as at 100% RH. This means that both extremely dry air and excessively humid conditions can increase the likelihood of falling ill.
Sleeping with a humidifier can help maintain indoor relative humidity above 33%, which can help create an environment where viruses are less likely to thrive and multiply rapidly.
In addition, dry air is also a common asthma and allergy trigger. If you have respiratory conditions like asthma, using a humidifier while sleeping can be beneficial in reducing the likelihood of triggering asthma symptoms or respiratory allergies.
2. Make you sleep better and recover quickly
Have you ever awakened during the night feeling excessively thirsty? The cause may be low indoor humidity levels. Dry air can result in itchy skin, a sore throat, and congestion, all of which can significantly impact the quality of your sleep.
You can effectively prevent these symptoms from occurring while you sleep simply by turning on your humidifier.
By increasing the moisture in the air, a humidifier can alleviate dryness and create a more comfortable sleep environment. This can help reduce the likelihood of waking up feeling excessively thirsty or experiencing other discomforts associated with low humidity.
Moreover, if you have a cold or are already experiencing symptoms, using a humidifier while sleeping can have additional benefits. It can help loosen mucus and nasal congestion, making it easier to breathe and potentially accelerating your recovery process.
Beyond that, humidifiers can create white noise, which is known for improving sleep quality.
3. Reduce snoring and sleep apnea
About 45 percent of adults snore occasionally, while 25 percent snore regularly.
Furthermore, a significant number of individuals who snore may also have sleep apnea.
The underlying cause of snoring is often a blockage in the airway, which leads to the vibration of tissues in the passages during sleep.
Using a humidifier while sleeping can be beneficial in addressing snoring and sleep apnea. By adding moisture to the air, a humidifier can moisturize the tissues and thin out mucus, which can help open up the airway.
This, in turn, reduces the occurrence of snoring and may also alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea.
4. Make you look younger and healthier
A good night’s sleep can leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the day.
Individuals who suffer from sleep disorders often experience ongoing sleep disturbances, which can lead to a variety of negative effects, including fatigue and an aging appearance.
Since humidifiers can make you sleep better, they can also make you look younger and healthier.
Meanwhile, the added moisture in the air can directly relieve dry skin and hair, reducing the form of fine lines and wrinkles.
So, using a humidifier while sleeping is a very cost-effective beauty method.
5. Extend the lifespan of your house
When the air lacks sufficient moisture, it can extract moisture from the wood, causing it to dry out and potentially shrink.
This can lead to various issues, including loose joints, warping, and cracking of the wood. Over time, these problems can compromise the stability and durability of wooden structures in your home.
By using a humidifier, especially a whole-house humidifier, you can help maintain the wood furniture and structural components at an optimal moisture level so that your house can last longer.
6. Save more energy
Many people assume that a cool mist humidifier can cool the room, but this is not true. On the contrary, a humidifier can make you feel warmer because it slows down the evaporation of sweat from your body by increasing the indoor humidity level.
That is to say, during the winter months when the humidifier is on, you can lower the thermostat or set your heater at a lower temperature. In this way, you can save more money.
What you should keep in mind when sleeping with a humidifier on?
Until now, you may already make up your mind about sleeping with a humidifier. Hold on, you should be also aware of potential risks and take necessary precautions.
Keep the humidifier clean
While a humidifier can prohibit the breeding of viruses, a dirty humidifier could become a petri dish of mold and bacteria. These germs can get into your body when you are sleeping.
Additionally, mineral deposits can accumulate inside the humidifier and be released into the air as “white dust.” Inhaling this dust can potentially trigger allergic reactions and respiratory infections.
To make sure it will not cause any bad effects, you should empty the tank every day and give the machine a thorough clean every week.
Always monitor the humidity level
Excessive humidity could be as bad as low humidity. Excessive humidity can not only cause condensation on the windows but also promote the growth of dust mites and mold spores, which can worsen your health condition.
Final Thoughts
Using a humidifier while sleeping can indeed be a beneficial practice. It can relieve bloody noses, congestion, irritated throats, and even reduce your partner’s snoring.
Even if you don’t have any health conditions, using a humidifier can help prevent diseases and protect the structure of your house in a quiet manner.
When using a humidifier while sleeping, please make sure the water is clean and the humidity level stays below 55%. Otherwise, the potential benefits you receive may be outweighed by potential damage.
