Have you ever wondered why you might toss and turn on some winter nights, finding it near impossible to get that much-needed rest? Ever woken up with a dry mouth and a sore throat, chapped lips, or a stuffy nose during the cold season, leaving you puzzled and irritated? It could very well be that the humidity level in your room is not optimized for a good night’s sleep.
In this article, I’m going to walk you through the Best Humidity Level for Sleeping in Winter. So, let’s find out what the ideal humidity level for a restful winter sleep is, and how we can make sure it’s just right.
Humidity is all about water vapor – an invisible gas that’s mixed in with the air we breathe. It’s important to understand that air isn’t just ’empty’ – it’s a mixture of different gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and yes, water vapor.
The humidity level is a way of expressing how much of that water vapor is present in the air at any given moment. It can be measured in several ways, but the most common is relative humidity, expressed as a percentage.
Relative humidity tells us how close the air is to being fully ‘saturated’ with water vapor. If the relative humidity is 100%, the air is holding as much water vapor as it possibly can at its current temperature. This doesn’t mean the air is ‘made of water’ – but it does mean there’s no room left for more vapor. On the flip side, if the relative humidity is 0%, the air is completely dry, with no water vapor at all.
But here’s where it gets interesting. As the air gets warmer, it can hold more water vapor. That’s why on a hot day, even a small increase in water vapor can lead to a big drop in relative humidity. Similarly, when the air cools down, it can’t hold as much water vapor, so the relative humidity can increase, even if the amount of water vapor stays the same.
When winter comes, we often imagine a
But how does this affect our sleep, and what is the ideal humidity level for catching some z’s during this time?
To comprehend the relationship between humidity and sleep in winter, it’s crucial first to grasp the unique characteristics of winter air. As temperatures drop, the air’s capacity to hold moisture decreases. Simply put, cold air is inherently drier than warm air. This dryness is often further amplified indoors, where heating systems may reduce humidity levels even more.
Now that we understand why winter air can be so dry, let’s talk numbers. What is the ideal humidity level for a comfortable, restful winter sleep? In my opinion, 30% and 50% are the Best Humidity Level for Sleeping in Winter. This range is often recommended for a few key reasons:
So, how do you ensure that your sleeping environment stays within this ideal humidity range during winter? There are a few strategies you can use:
Ever felt that your room is just too damp? Maybe you’ve noticed condensation on your windows or a musty smell in the air. These are signs that you might have too much moisture in your room. But don’t fret, there are various ways to bring down that humidity level and make your room more comfortable.
The first tool in your arsenal is a dehumidifier.
If you’re not familiar with these devices, they work in a somewhat similar way to air conditioners. A dehumidifier sucks in air from your room, removes the excess moisture, and then blows the drier air back out. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
Dehumidifiers come in various sizes, so you can choose one that’s suitable for the size of your room and the level of humidity you need to tackle.
Another simple yet effective way to reduce humidity is to ventilate your room. It’s as easy as opening a window. Doing this lets the moist air out and brings in fresh, drier air from outside. This can be particularly effective if the humidity outside is lower than it is inside your room.
Keep in mind, though, that this method is weather-dependent. On a rainy or particularly humid day, opening your window might actually increase the moisture level in your room. So, it’s best to use this strategy when the weather is dry.
Believe it or not, the way you dry your clothes can significantly affect the humidity level in your home. Wet clothes release a substantial amount of moisture into the air as they dry. So, if you’re used to drying your clothes indoors, particularly in your bedroom, you might want to reconsider. Excessively dry air can wreak havoc on your ability to sleep well.
While gadgets like dehumidifiers are often effective, they may not always be the most desirable or accessible solution for everyone. Whether you’re looking for more eco-friendly methods or simply prefer natural solutions, there are indeed ways to reduce humidity naturally in your room.
It’s no secret that plants play a vital role in our ecosystem by producing oxygen, but did you know they can also help dehumidify your space? Some indoor plants are particularly skilled at absorbing moisture from the air through a process known as transpiration. Here are two plants known for their humidity-lowering abilities:
Caring for these plants can also be a calming and rewarding hobby. Just remember that while these plants help absorb moisture, they also need to be watered and cared for to thrive.
Salt isn’t just a kitchen staple but a natural dehumidifier too. Thanks to its hygroscopic properties, salt can absorb moisture from the air. Here’s a simple way to use it:
Note - This method is low-cost, low-maintenance, and can be surprisingly effective, especially in smaller spaces like closets or bathrooms.
While fans don’t directly reduce humidity, they can help circulate the air in your room, which can make the air feel less damp and promote evaporation of any excess moisture. Whether it’s a ceiling fan, a portable fan, or a window fan, the added airflow can help you feel more comfortable. Fans can make the room feel cooler, so this may not be the best option during colder months.
Now you might be wondering, “Can I sleep with a humidifier on all night?” The short answer is yes, you can. But, remember the golden range we talked about? Your humidity level should stay between 30% and 50%. If a humidifier helps maintain this without making the room too damp, it’s a good choice for those dry winter nights.
Humidity can be a bit tricky. While high humidity can make a hot day feel hotter, it doesn’t quite work the same way in winter. When it’s cold, high humidity can make your house feel colder.
Water, including the moisture in the air, conducts heat away from the body faster than air does. When there’s high humidity inside your home during winter, the moisture in the air can accelerate the loss of heat from your body. This happens because the moisture on your skin and in your breath evaporates, a process that uses heat and hence makes you feel cooler.
I’ve really enjoyed our deep dive into the world of humidity and how it can impact our sleep, particularly when the winter cold sets in. It’s quite surprising, isn’t it? How something as common as air moisture can significantly affect whether we have a peaceful slumber or wake up feeling like we’ve been in a desert all night.
I’ve found that the golden zone for a good night’s rest sits between 30% and 50% humidity. Stray too far on either side, and our bodies start whispering (or sometimes shouting) that something isn’t right. We’ve also explored a variety of tricks to adjust that moisture balance in our favor, from techy devices like dehumidifiers to nature’s own solutions like particular plants, a simple bowl of salt, or just letting in some fresh air.