Khaberni - Many people spend more time in bed with the onset of the cold and dark winter season, but health experts warn that this natural behavior may hide unexpected dangers.
Although good sleep is essential for boosting immunity, spending more time in bed in closed, warm rooms may expose a person to harmful environmental factors, most notably poor air quality, mold growth, dust mite accumulation, and dry air due to heating.
This is what Dr. Menachem Jacobs, an internal medicine resident at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut, explained in his talk with "Daily Mail", noting that these factors could weaken immunity and increase the likelihood of catching colds and influenza.
Here are some of the main problems you may face in your bedroom during winter, and expert tips to avoid them:
- A mattress that harbors dust mites
Mattresses are an ideal environment for the proliferation of dust mites, especially with increased humidity.
Jacobs says that a single mattress may contain more than half a million of these microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells, causing allergies, asthma, and skin rashes.
To prevent this, experts recommend using an anti-allergy mattress protector and washing bed covers weekly in hot water at 60 degrees Celsius.
- Cold walls weaken comfort during sleep
Many people place their beds next to walls to save space, but these walls can be cold in old houses, causing the body to lose heat and suffer from fatigue.
Experts advise keeping the bed a small distance from the wall to improve air circulation and prevent direct cold.
- Humidity and night sweating
Despite the cold weather, the body continues to perspire at night, causing the mattress to absorb moisture and create a fertile environment for bacteria and fungi.
To avoid this, it is recommended to air out the bed daily and open the windows for a short period every morning to refresh the air and prevent moisture build-up.
- Excessive heating dries the air and skin
Doctors warn that running heating devices for long periods makes the air inside rooms very dry, leading to dry skin and eyes and irritation of the respiratory tract.
To overcome this, it is advised to use humidifiers and drink adequate amounts of water, with at least 20 cm between the bed and the heater to protect the mattress from damage.
- Hidden mold, an unseen danger
Humidity and cold lead to the formation of mold behind beds attached to walls, and it may spread unnoticed. Jacobs confirms that inhaling mold spores can cause allergies, coughing, and symptoms similar to colds.
To prevent this, it is necessary to rotate the mattress monthly, wipe condensation from walls, and open curtains to let in sunlight.
- Germs accumulating in bedding
As the flu season begins, warm covers become a breeding ground for viruses. Therefore, experts recommend washing sheets weekly at high temperatures, especially after a family member falls ill, and regularly spraying the mattress with a safe disinfectant and airing out the comforter.
- Heavy covers hinder deep sleep
Thick blankets might seem like a comfortable option, but they raise body temperature and prevent the natural decrease in body temperature during sleep, which disrupts reaching the deep sleep stage necessary for boosting immunity.
It is advised to sleep at a temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius, using light covers and breathable cotton sheets.
