No doubt you've tried sleeping with your window open when the weather allows, either in spring or fall, when it's not too cold or so hot you need the air conditioning. So have you ever noted during these occasions whether or not you seem to sleep better with the window open than you do when it's closed? Some sleep researchers maintain that sleeping with window a open in winter has some benefits, including getting a better rest. Let's take a look at them.
Benefits of Sleeping With the Window Open in Winter
Helps to exhaust CO and CO2. Although your carbon monoxide monitor may not be alarming you, there may be small levels of poisonous CO in your home, given off by gas-burning appliances such as the furnace or pilot lights. Cracking a window can help dispel some of this CO, which, though not significant enough to trip an alarm, might give sensitive individuals a headache. Further, there can be a buildup of CO2 or carbon dioxide which can occur when we close the bedroom door. It seems we give off CO2 when we exhale and our oxygen is converted. CO2 can cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
Opening a window can relieve the stuffiness that is likely to occur when our doors and the house in general is all closed up because it's chilly outside.Better sleep with lower temperatures. Sleep researchers in recent years have maintained that we may sleep better when temperatures are lower. It seems we produce more melatonin (the chemical in our brains that helps us sleep) when it's chillier. During cold spells, try cracking the window an inch or so to lower your bedroom temperature.
Outside noises may promote sleep. As long as your outdoor noises don't include parties, traffic, and midnight street construction, some nocturnal noises may help you sleep. If by opening your window a bit you can hear crickets and the sighing of gentle winds, you may find the white noise you need to help you sleep.
For more on sleeping with a window open in winter, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.