Some believe letting cold air into your room increases your chance of getting sick. However, “You'll catch your death of cold,” is just an expression. Viruses aren't spread through winter air.
While people may believe leaving a window open caused their sore throat, it really depends more on the air quality, says otolaryngologist Michael Benninger, MD. “Cool air from an open window can help people breathe better, unless the air is very dry,” Dr.
Using as many ways as you can (open windows, use air filters, and turn on fans) will help clear out virus particles in your home faster.
Experts suggest that particular positions can help or hinder sleep when you have a cold. When you sleep on your back, it can make congestion even worse. Try sleeping on your side, and prop up your pillows so you're sleeping at a slight angle to help prevent congestion from disrupting your sleep.
Decreases the Risk of You Getting Sick
It's time to open your windows and experience a cozy yet fresh feel this winter! Keeping your windows closed can cause condensation issues and build up in your home due to lack of fresh air (i.e. weeping windows), allowing mould and other toxins to grow inside your home.
Outdoor Temperature
We most often think that it's always better to open the windows when it's hot, but it's not. Sometimes, the air outside your home can even be warmer than the air inside your home. Opening the windows simply lets cool air escape and hot air to enter, resulting in hotter interiors.
“If it's cooler inside than outside, you should keep your windows closed,” he says. Although it's easy to imagine that flinging your windows wide might invite some hint of a cool and pleasant breeze, in all likelihood, you'll just be bringing warm air in – making your living space even hotter.
Many people like sleeping in a cool room, but don't make it so cold that you wake up shivering in the middle of the night. When you're feeling sick, you might want to consider raising the temperature a little, rather than letting the thermostat drop. Just don't forget to change it back when you're feeling better.
Research shows that the immune system follows a circadian rhythm and that the cells involved in healing and inflammation tend to rev up in the evening. Some evidence suggests that more white blood cells (WBCs) are sent to your tissues to fight off infection during the night compared to the day.
Cold symptoms will go away on their own over time and rest is one of the best ways to help your body heal, so in a sense, you can sleep off a cold. Sleep helps boost the immune system and can help you recover from a cold more quickly. But sometimes, it's tough to sleep when you have a cold.
His study built off of prior research that showed that keeping your window open, in particular, can reduce the bad things in our immediate atmosphere, help us sleep better, and even help us sleep longer. View Source .
Let's clear the air on one thing – cold air doesn't make you sick. In fact, getting fresh air is good for you when you're feeling under the weather. When you're cooped up inside, you're sharing the same air with those around you.
Leaving your windows open at night is a great way to ensure fresh air, but also opens you up to some potential risks. The biggest consideration is the safety and security of your home. If you leave your windows open, there is an increased chance that a criminal may use these to gain entry into your home.
Elevating your head during the night makes it easier for your nose and sinuses to drain. This is important because at night mucus pools in the head, making it harder to breathe and potentially causing a sinus headache in the morning. Try elevating the head on a few pillows to help the sinuses drain more easily.
Soak Up Steam
Take a hot shower before bed, or sit in the bathroom with the hot shower running. The steam will help open your sinuses. It'll also help drain the mucus so you can breathe easier through your nose. You'll sleep better in no time.
When is the worst day of a cold? The worst day of the common cold is often day two or three. That's when symptoms peak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If your sore throat is painful, lozenges and over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can make you feel better.
Within 7–10 days , people will usually start to recover from a cold. Symptoms begin to ease up, and people will start feeling better. People may also find that they have more energy and are more able to carry out tasks as usual.
You really do need extra sleep when you're not feeling well because of a cold or the flu, Taneja-Uppal says. That's especially true if you're running a low-grade fever, which can happen with colds, or the higher fever that accompanies the flu. Sleep helps your body fight the infection that's causing you to feel ill.
If symptoms get worse, rather than better, after 3-7 days, you may have acquired a bacterial infection. These symptoms can also be caused by a cold virus other than a rhinovirus.
Best Time for Open Windows
Researchers have found out that the best time to open the window and leave off the AC is when the outside temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity levels are low. This keeps the room cool during the night, which ultimately saves money.
Chris added: "Much of the sunlight that enters your home through the windows turns into heat, so it's a good idea to keep your curtains and blinds closed, at least during the hottest times of the day. You may even want to opt for blackout curtains to keep windows covered and block the sunlight out completely."
Open your windows at night and early morning
When the air outside is cooler than inside, open your windows wide, especially those oriented toward prevailing winds. This will allow you to take advantage of natural cross ventilation. You can improve cross ventilation at night and in the early morning with window fans.