Here at Cure, it’s no secret that we’re a little obsessed with hydration. You could say drinking water is basically our favorite pastime. But there’s something else we all consume and don’t often think about — the air in our home.
We’re home especially more these days, and getting less fresh air than normal. As the sun sets earlier (anyone else sitting in pure darkness at 5pm wondering what the heck is going on?) and winter prepares to make its debut, the air also gets drier. Much drier.
Hydrating the air at home is a great way to keep your skin from drying out, your lips from getting chapped, but it’s also an important defense against winter colds. Your upper respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that needs to stay… (get ready for this word)...moist! The moist-er the membrane, the better it is at capturing dust, dirt, germs, and viruses before they get to your precious lungs. The dry winter air makes it hard for the mucous membrane to do its thing and protect you from colds and flus.
Here are five ways to hydrate and humidify the air at home:
Get a humidifier
This is an easy way to set it and forget it. We trust Wirecutter’s recommendations on basically everything, and their top pick for humidifiers is this one by Honeywell. Just make sure you don’t go too far on the humidity, as it can cause mold and mildew!
Cook
Winter is a perfect time to explore your cooking skills for stews and other steamy dishes that act as a natural humidifier in the kitchen. Plus, the delicious aroma doesn’t hurt! Try sautéing rosemary or boiling cinnamon sticks to care for your nose both ways.
Fresh flowers
The water in the vase will naturally evaporate into the air, albeit very slowly, but flowers also breathe oxygen into the air — an added benefit.
Water bowls
If you have a radiator or floor heating vents, place small bowls of water next to them and the water will evaporate into the stream of heat. Just be careful not to place the bowls in any walkway or where you might trip!
Air dry your laundry (where possible!)
After washing your winter sweaters, leave them out to air dry on a towel. It’s usually better for your knitwear, better for the environment, and the moisture will evaporate into the air.
Happy hydrating!
Photo c/o: https://www.honeywellstore.com/store/products/germ-free-cool-mist-humidifier-hcm-350.htm
