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Why You Should Consider a Humidifier in Every Room
By Taylor Morgan
Updated: November 9, 2020
Originally Published: April 12, 2019
The most frightening moment of my life occurred when my infant daughter fell ill with the flu. As a parent committed to vaccinations, I thought we were protected; however, she was too young for a flu shot. Despite our precautions, she became sick. For days, she seemed lethargic and uncomfortable. I found it impossible to sleep, terrified of her temperature spiking or her struggling to breathe. It was a nightmare.
Fast forward a year, and I found myself at the doctor’s office for my daughter’s relentless cough. It was so severe that she was exhausted during the day and barely slept at night. Although the doctor couldn’t diagnose asthma due to her age, a nebulizer was prescribed, helping her breathe more easily.
Becoming a mother taught me invaluable lessons about health. Before this, I had taken my good health for granted, often feeling overly confident. In my twenties, I lived in a beautiful studio apartment atop a tall building. Dust was a constant battle, and I rarely prioritized cleaning, even when hosting friends with allergies.
Now, two decades later, I’ve married a man with a dust allergy and have sensitive skin that sometimes feels allergic to air. My daughter still faces breathing challenges, and my toddler son is beginning to show similar issues. The haunting memory of my daughter’s flu experience stays with me.
I’m now open to various methods to keep my family healthy. While I firmly believe in vaccinations, I also appreciate the benefits of holistic remedies. I’ve experimented with many trendy health solutions but overlooked one classic recommendation: a humidifier.
Years ago, my daughter’s pediatrician suggested a humidifier to add moisture to the air. It provided relief for her cough and improved her sleep quality. After moving, I neglected to set it up again, forgetting about its advantages until recently.
Humidifiers are like the unsung heroes of home appliances. They not only add moisture to the air, aiding better breathing but also boast numerous other benefits often overlooked. For instance, a study revealed that dry air, not cold temperatures, contributes to the flu’s spread during winter. Researchers used a cough simulator to test how different humidity levels affected the flu virus. They discovered that in humid conditions, 100% of the flu virus died within 24 hours, whereas 60% survived in dry air! This suggests that our cozy, heated homes might actually be breeding grounds for illness.
If that doesn’t convince you to place a humidifier in every room, consider this: when I moved to California, my skin became perpetually dry—itchy flakes plagued my face and scalp. Although I tried expensive creams and drank plenty of water, my skin lacked its usual glow. Once I resumed using the humidifier for my daughter’s breathing issues, I noticed significant improvements in my skin within days. My lotions finally penetrated rather than sitting on the surface.
Moreover, humidifiers can aid in reducing snoring by keeping the air moist, which helps retain heat during winter. If you work in an environment with recycled air, such as an office or hospital, a humidifier can help alleviate symptoms associated with “sick building syndrome,” such as headaches and fatigue. They also reduce allergy symptoms.
In a world filled with quick-fix health trends, finding reliable solutions can be overwhelming. The beauty of humidifiers is their simplicity—fill a tank with water, plug it in, and if it works for you, fantastic! If not, no harm done. At best, you’ll enjoy glowing skin and fewer snoring nights. At worst, your plants will flourish in the humid air. Sounds like a win-win!
For more insights and resources on related topics, you can visit this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination or check out this article on fertility boosters.
Summary
Incorporating a humidifier into each room of your home can significantly improve your family’s health. From enhancing breathing and reducing allergy symptoms to improving skin hydration and minimizing flu virus survival, the benefits are numerous. The ease of use and low risk make humidifiers a smart addition for any household.