There are some actions that we think are useful to protect yourself from the cold. Here's why leaving the heater on all night could make you sick. When we are refrigerated in winter, we are tempted to turn on the heating at full speed, even when wrapped in a few layers of blanket. This gesture adopted by all chilly is however a bad practice. And for good reason, this action could compromise your health and on the contrary make you more vulnerable to the dangers of low temperatures. This article may well discourage you from flipping the switch that you consider to be saving in this unpleasant climate. This common habit increases the symptoms linked to the cold and exposes to several diseases.
We are often tempted by these freezing temperatures to hibernate by regulating our heating to the maximum degree. If we think to protect ourselves from the dangers of the cold in this way, it is obviously quite different since this gesture could on the contrary make us more vulnerable to the diseases caused by this climate. And for good reason, many mechanisms linked to high temperatures could make our more fragile organism vulnerable. Here is why leaving the heating on during the night is on the contrary a gesture to banish from these rituals during this winter period.
Expert advice
Despite the stack of blankets, we are tempted to turn on our radiators at full speed for a comfortable and less harsh awakening. On the contrary, it seems that this gesture, which we consider to be salutary, could make us more vulnerable to the diseases that we try to avoid. According to Dr. Adrien, we should maintain the temperature in our bedroom between 16 and 19 ° C because an artificial temperature could expose us to a dry cough, headache and sore throat. Furthermore, this habit could also affect the quality of our sleep, leading to an increase in "intra-sleep" awakenings, as the expert explains.
Sleeping with the heater on can cause symptoms such as heavy sweating and sleep disturbances in the elderly, according to one study.
Increased risk of angina
According to cardiologist Maurice Pye, we owe this vulnerability to thermal shock, a phenomenon of contrast between hot and cold temperatures. "From hot to cold, our blood circulation changes drastically and it affects the supply of our heart. This can weaken it and cause angina and changes in heart rate ”warns the specialist doctor. The latter calls for moderation by inviting people to be cautious about the non-permanent use of heating systems.
Thermal neutrality
Dr. Joelle Adrien explains that preferring non-artificial temperatures also allows for better quality sleep. The specialist believes that the 18 ° C, considered "ideal" by the head of the National Institute of Sleep, allows the body to achieve "thermal neutrality" where the body will regulate its temperature naturally. She calls for sleep "with a cold nose and a warm body". A recommendation that discourages turning our heaters on at full speed.
How to sleep well in winter?
Nights at cold temperatures can compromise our comfort. There are tips to sleep more serenely but also to protect yourself against illnesses.
- A suitable temperature: As explained by the specialists, the ideal temperature to prefer during the night is 18 degrees. It is also recommended to ventilate your bedroom a few hours before getting a restful sleep.
- A sporting activity: Even if the temperatures do not often lend themselves to outdoor activities, it is essential to maintain your sports routine, even in an inclement climate. This healthy habit is a good way to maintain your tone which is compromised by the lack of light during the winter.
- Winter drinks: To protect against cold diseases, there are natural remedies with protective properties. Among them: lukewarm lemon water, ginger tea, lemon-honey mixture. So many tasty drinks to ward off cold symptoms and febrile states.
- Adapted bedding: To sleep well in these low temperatures, it is essential to choose a suitable bedding. Prefer a breathable cover made of natural materials to promote blood circulation. You can also choose weighted bedding to help you fall asleep.