Posted on Thursday, September 1st, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Do you like sleeping in a confined room, buried under blankets, with all the doors and windows closed? Or do you prefer to feel a cool and gentle breeze blowing through your window, giving you a sense of peace and openness? The feeling of peace that comes from a breath of fresh air isn’t the only benefit of leaving your windows open at night. Did you know there are significant benefits associated with sleeping with your windows open?
At Silent Night Therapy, we want to help people achieve more restorative sleep. We know first-hand how poor sleep habits can lead to cognitive disorders and physical health concerns. However, you can take steps to improve the quality of your sleep and enjoy a more restful experience. Sleeping with your window open may be one of those steps that benefit you.
Before your head hits the pillow, consider these top five reasons to sleep with your windows open tonight.
Increased Airflow
Leaving your windows open at night can create a more restful space because you are increasing airflow and ventilation in your bedroom. Sleeping in a stuffy, confined space can make you feel claustrophobic. It can also cause a buildup of carbon dioxide in the air. High CO2 levels can impact the quality of your sleep and cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. While you may not feel these effects at night or while you sleep, you can feel them when you wake up in the morning. Leaving your window open increases airflow and decreases the carbon dioxide levels in your room, giving you a more peaceful rest.
Lower the Temperature
Depending on the season, opening a window at night can cool down your environment. Closed-off rooms can become hot and stuffy. In a hot room, you are more likely to sweat and feel uncomfortable. You may also become restless and dehydrated as the night wears on.
Studies indicate that sleeping in a cool room can significantly enhance sleep quality. Why? It’s thought to be because our bodies are programmed to expect a dip in temperature in the evenings when it gets dark. This drop in temperature may signal your body to go into “rest mode,” triggering the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.
Find Your Rhythm
In addition to lowering the temperature in your room, leaving a window open at night can send another sleep-triggering signal to your brain. It lets you know it’s dark outside. Your body has a natural sleep/wake cycle called the circadian clock or circadian rhythm. This internal clock is highly sensitive to light and dark. Light signals the brain that it is time to be awake, while darkness tells your brain it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep. Opening a window at night can help you reset your circadian rhythm and get your natural sleep schedule back on track.
Natural Humidity Control
Sleeping in a dry room can feel like you’re falling asleep in the Sahara. Falling asleep in a damp room can make you feel like you’re on a jungle adventure. The body can be sensitive to humidity levels. When the humidity is too high, you can feel damp and uncomfortable. When it’s too low, you may have a hard time breathing or wake up with a dry and scratchy throat. Opening your window at night can help balance out the humidity levels in your bedroom and keep you feeling comfortable.
Sweet Sounds of Sleep
There is no shortage of expensive machines that promise to create a peaceful and relaxing sleep environment using white noise. Looking for a cheaper alternative? Open your window.
Leaving your window open at night can be a great way to experience the sensation of falling asleep to white noise. Depending on your environment, you may hear crickets chirping, frogs singing, or coyotes howling. Thunderstorms may rumble in the distance, and rain can patter against your rooftop. Even the sound of passing cars can lull a person to sleep. Sound can be a useful tool for helping you relax and enter a more restful sleep cycle.
Contact Us Today
Even with the windows open, are you having a difficult time getting to sleep? Do you snore or wake up feeling less than refreshed? You may have sleep apnea and need professional help.
Get in touch with the New York sleep specialists of Silent Night Therapy to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Our team wants to help you reap the health benefits of better sleep. Call us today at 631-983-2463 and let us help put you on the path to better sleep.
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