LIFESTYLE NEWS - Dry air is really only good for laundry or paint. Dry air, especially in winter, leads to lower humidity levels and exposes us to a much higher risk of illnesses like asthma, bronchitis or sinusitis.

The effects of winter can be brutal – drier air, itchy skin, sneezing and waking up with a sore throat. And all these issues can be mitigated with clever technology and some surprising home hacks, says Trever Brewer, Director at leading lifestyle technology company Solenco.

“Many medical studies show that maintaining proper humidity indoors – ranging between 40% and 70% - is key to avoiding getting sick or feeling lousy in winter,” Brewer says.

He says many people often prioritise keeping warm in winter while ignoring the humidity levels in their homes. 

“Indoor heaters and fires can significantly dry out the air, which can lead to anything from an increase in nosebleeds to poor sleep quality and lingering flu and cold viruses that stay alive longer in dry, heated environments,” he says.

Brewer offers some guidelines to combat the impact of dry air:

• Build yourself a humidity garden with ferns, peace lilies and spider plants. Basil, tomato and pepper plants are also good. Use pebble trays, mist plants regularly, and place plants in naturally humid areas like bathrooms.
• Eat your hydration - foods with a high water content like citrus, cucumbers, tomatoes, yoghurt and soups are good substitutes when a glass of cold water isn’t as appealing. Herbal teas or warm water with lemon are more comforting, but limit caffeine and alcohol as they can dehydrate you. Remember that breathing in cold, dry air increases water loss, because it needs to be warmed and moistened before reaching the lungs. Physical activity in cold weather also increases fluid loss because of heavier and deeper breathing, so make sure you hydrate constantly.
• Change your cleansing habits – swap out soap for natural oils like jojoba or sweet almond to clean your face and body. These oils protect your skin barrier and lock in moisture, and they are rich in vitamins A, E, and D and are known for their emollient properties.
• Use a humidifier but remember that not all humidifiers are equally effective. A good humidifier should have a demineralisation cartridge designed to remove the minerals from your water before it is turned into a mist. This means that there will be no white dust settling on your furniture and no mineral buildup on the nebuliser. Brewer says another great alternative is an evaporative, or mist-free, humidifier like the Stylies Alaze Pro Humidifier which offers the same benefits as a normal humidifier, but which is mist-and water-droplet-free. Either way, your humidifier should also have a silver ion sterilisation function to eliminate bacteria in the water being used to humidify your environment and an auto-mode to maintain optimal humidity levels even when your air quality fluctuates.

“There is no need to suffer ill health this winter if you look after your humidity needs in your house. If the humidity levels are good, then you can enjoy a new season without health worries,” Brewer says.

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