When winter arrives in Minnesota, we crank up the heat—and as cozy as that feels, indoor air can quickly become extremely dry. Many homes drop well below the ideal humidity range during the colder months, which can quietly affect your health in more ways than you might realize.
Maintaining proper humidity in your home isn’t just about comfort—it’s about supporting your body.
1. Supports Respiratory Health
Dry air can irritate your nasal passages, throat, and lungs. This often leads to:
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Dry cough
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Scratchy throat
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Increased sinus discomfort
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More frequent nosebleeds
Proper humidity (ideally 30–50%) helps keep your airways moist, making it easier to breathe and reducing irritation—especially during cold and flu season.
2. May Help Reduce Virus Survival
Research shows many viruses thrive in very dry air. Maintaining moderate humidity levels may reduce how long airborne viruses remain active, helping support overall immune health during winter months.
3. Helps Muscle & Joint Comfort
Dry air can contribute to dehydration—even if you’re drinking water. When tissues become dehydrated, muscles and joints may feel stiffer. Proper indoor humidity supports overall hydration, which helps tissues stay more flexible and comfortable.
4. Protects Skin & Reduces Inflammation
If your skin feels itchy, cracked, or irritated in winter, low humidity may be part of the problem. Balanced moisture in the air helps maintain your skin barrier, reducing dryness and discomfort.
5. Improves Sleep Quality
Dry air can cause congestion, mouth breathing, and nighttime coughing—all of which disrupt sleep. Proper humidity supports smoother breathing and more restful sleep.
Too little humidity causes dryness. Too much can encourage mold growth. A simple home hygrometer can help monitor levels, and a quality humidifier can maintain healthy balance during heating season. At Domier Chiropractic, we often remind patients that health isn’t just about what happens in the clinic—it’s also about your home environment. When your body isn’t fighting dry air, poor sleep, or irritated sinuses, it can recover and function more efficiently. Supporting your indoor air quality is another simple way to help your nervous system, muscles, and immune system perform at their best. Small changes in your home can create meaningful improvements in how you feel all winter long.
Brittany Domier
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