Keeping Indoor Air at 40 – 60% relative humidity will help you feel better in your skin and reduce your risk of flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory illness.
Every Fall, when the heater comes on, my skin, respiratory passages, and hair dry up. It’s time to get out the humidifier. We run it 24/7, all winter long in our bedroom and feel noticeably better! I’ve cut way back on my lotion use. My nose isn’t crusty. I snore less because I can breathe thru my nose better.
Americans spend about 90% of our time indoors.
What is relative humidity? – it’s the % of moisture in the air compared to the maximum water the air can hold at a given temperature. Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air. 40% – 60% is the Goldilocks zone. Not too humid and not too dry.
Benefits of moister air:
- Skin – increased levels of moisture in the hair can help your skin feel soft, supple and more nourished. Less heel cracking.
- Nose, throat, lungs – less snoring, less crusty noses, less chapped lips.
- Lower risk of respiratory illness – New research from MIT suggests that the relative humidity in the air in our homes may be an important factor affecting the transmission of COVID-19. Many past studies have shown that many viruses stay alive in the air much longer at humidity levels below about 40%. An airplane cabin is held at 20% humidity, one of the reasons we get sick when traveling.
Hygrometers
Low cost and easy way to get the facts on your indoor air. About $15.
Humidifiers
Some people have whole house humidifiers, but if you don’t, consider getting one for at least the bedroom. I prefer the ultrasonic cool mist versions over the ones with the fans which are a little noisy. I also like the larger ones, so I only have to fill every day or two. Keep clean by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Unplug and empty. I use 1 cup of water and 1 cup white vinegar and let it sit for an hour. Be sure to rinse the reservoir and nozzle well too – gunk can build up.
Hydrate your body orally too!
Read another article by Joan Haynes NMD Could Your Symptoms be Due to a Lack of Water? Sometimes it’s That Easy! I share my recipe of home-made electrolyte water.