Experts reveal if you should sleep with your windows open at night

Getting a good night's sleep is a vital ingredient for your quality of life, for mental, and physical health, as well as to improve your cognitive skills.

Even though people might hold similar beliefs about the importance of good sleep, there's always been a lot of debate around sleeping habits. For example, people cannot agree on whether it is okay to sleep with your dog at night, or if one should shower before or after bed, and also, if it's a good idea to sleep with the windows open or closed.

Here's what the sleep experts at Sleep Number, have to say about whether you should sleep with your windows open, and what are its pros and cons.

Why you should sleep with your windows open

As per Sleep Number, sleeping with your windows open could actually result in deeper and more restful sleep.

Sleeping in a cooler room with good air circulation could lead to fewer disturbances, as warmer rooms have been connected to people having lesser periods of REM sleep, which is essential to experience deep, restful sleep.

From an air quality point of view as well, increased ventilation due to open windows can provide better air circulation that could aid deep sleep, reducing carbon monoxide levels in the blood. This has been found to affect the quality of sleep.

Why not to sleep with your windows open?

The main cons against sleeping with your windows open, are the possibility of allergens. Dr. Laren Tan, a pulmonologist and director of Loma Linda University Comprehensive Program for Obstructive Airway Diseases, explains the scientific reason behind this is the evidence of elevated concentrations of pollen during the evening. He is quoted by the report as saying,

Typically, we associate a high pollen count during the daytime when plants release their pollen into the air. But there is also evidence to suggest there are elevated concentrations of airborne pollen during the evening as well.

Particularly in the spring and fall, allergens, dust, and particulate matter (such as air pollution or wildfire particulates) blow in and trigger allergies and asthma.

Allergies and asthma are not only bad for a good night sleep, by increasing mucus production, causing breathlessness and coughing etc, but they couldalso affect your body's immunity, and worsen existing health conditions.

Read more:

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Sources used:

Sleep Number: 'IS SLEEPING WITH THE WINDOW OPEN BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH?'