It’s not too early to prepare for the winter flu season. The Center for Disease Control hasn’t even selected the strains which this year’s vaccination will target, but if you wait until November, it may be too late.
The air gets drier in the winter and humidifiers remedy that by putting water vapor back into the air. If you increase the humidity to just 43 percent, you can reduce the incidence of infections caused by airborne flu viruses.
Winter air is dry. Humidifiers put moisture back into the air, which can create a lot of benefits for you and your family. In a study published in 2013, researchers showed that below 43 percent humidity, 70 to 77 percent of viruses could cause illness, but at higher humidity, the figure dropped to 14 percent.
The best rated humidifiers will not only keep you healthier, they can make your skin appear more soft and radiant. It is even good for wooden tables and chairs. Here are a few reasons to buy one this year.
Lower incidence of infections
Microorganisms don’t travel well in damp air. Humidifying the air could spell the difference between getting sick this winter or staying well.
Softer, more vibrant skin
Cold, dry air pulls moisture from the skin, causing a host of problems, making the skin drier, more dull, flakier, and appearing older than it is. The right humidifier can mitigate every one of these detrimental effects and aid in maintaining that vibrant glow your friends will notice.
Clear sinuses
Even if you escape the clutches of influenza, dry winter air has a detrimental effect on the sinuses, drying them out and reducing your resistance to disease-causing microorganisms. Going to bed with a humidifier means waking up with a clear nose and throat.
Rapid healing
Even if you do get a cold, sinus infection or the flu, a humidifier will shorten the length of the illness. Maintaining a moist nasal mucosa and air passages will aid in recovery and lessen the coughing and sneezing.
Greener plants
Houseplants remove toxins from the air, but they need water. If the soil is dryer in the winter, the leaves drooping and dull, it may be because the air is not humid enough.
Healthy wooden furniture
Winter air can dry out wooden furniture like tables and chairs, not to mention doors and moldings, causing cracks and splits. A humidifier will extend the life of your furniture.
Morning voice
Have you ever noticed how your voice is much lower in the morning until you get moving? That is the effect of dry air on your voice box. You will recover much faster in the AM if your vocal cords don’t dry out overnight in the first place.
Lower energy costs
Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity?” Humid climates feel warmer than dry ones of the same temperature. You can lower the thermostat in winter and feel just as warm when you have the humidifier running.
Less static electricity
You may have noticed that static electricity tends to build up on dry surfaces. Nobody likes those annoying snaps that always occur when you rub your shoes on the carpet. A humidifier will reduce the shock of static electricity not only in the home but in your hair. And your pet will thank you.
Better sleep
If you have a snoring partner, getting a humidifier may be what you both need. People snore more when their nasal passages are dry. A comfortable bedroom environment of properly humidified air may be just the thing for a good night’s sleep.
