— Closing your curtains won't just give you more privacy at night, a new study finds it can also protect your heart while you sleep! Researchers from Northwestern University found that even a small amount of light exposure while sleeping increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Study: Curtains or blinds should ALWAYS be closed to get a healthy night's sleep. The research team discovered that moderate light exposure caused the body to go into a higher alert state.
So closing your blinds or curtains will prevent this exact information from being known, which cuts the chance of your place being burglarized in ha half. Not only covering, but also locking your windows will also greatly decrease your risk of being burglarized.
There could be various reasons why some people leave their curtains or blinds open at night. Firstly, some people may prefer the natural light coming in through their windows to wake them up in the morning. They may also want to enjoy the view of the outside, such as the stars or the moon.
According to researchers from the University of Salford, drawing your curtains at dusk can reduce heat loss by around 15-17%. With blinds, the figure is a little lower at 13-14%, but the difference is enough to make closing them worth it.
“It is important to maintain as dark of a room as possible while you're sleeping,” says Dr. Phyllis Zee, a neurologist at Northwestern University, founder of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and co-author of both studies mentioned above.
Drapes: More Than Décor
In addition, closing curtains can reduce solar heat loss during the winter season and solar heat gain during the summer months when you choose the appropriate fabric color and weight. Select medium-colored fabric drapes that are lined with white plastic for optimum energy-saving results.
Potential risks of leaving your windows open at night
There is also the risk of a wild animal entering and causing property damage. Finally, open windows may be caught by the wind and slam shut causing damage to the window frames and broken glass, which may lead to injury.
Sinus Infection: We are more likely to contract sinus infections while sleeping with windows open at night, especially in drier climates. Trigger Asthma: Pollen particles travel into our homes through insects and open windows. Pollen falls closer to the ground when the air is cooler.
Sleeping with the window open could inadvertently trigger allergies, asthma or potentially cause illness in someone with an already-weakened immune system. But for most people, it's relatively risk free. Aim to keep your bedroom around 65 degrees with 65 percent humidity.
According to an analysis by Vivint Smart Home, 50.3% of burglaries occur at night between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. while the other half (49.7%) happen in daylight hours. For clarity sake, Vivint, which was recently acquired by energy giant NRG, makes sure to clarify the difference between larceny/theft and burglary.
The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.
In reality, your biggest risk of a break-in isn't at night. Research actually suggests that break-ins are most likely to happen during the day. Burglars are most likely to enter homes on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. or from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Can I face my bed towards a window? Facing a bed towards a window is a better option than placing your bed underneath it, however, it is still not recommended. In Feng Shui, it is generally believed that, where possible, beds should not be placed directly in line with either a door or windows.
The simple fact is closing your curtains at dusk helps stop cold draughts from penetrating. And it helps keep the heat in your home. Even if you have double or triple glazing in your home and they are draught-proofed you can still lose heat through your windows. Therefore it's a good habit to fall into doing.
Dark curtains don't show dirt and dust like light coloured curtains will so a good choice for high traffic areas (if the size is right). They're simple to maintain and clean as stains and markings don't show all that much. A good choice for blocking light out of bedrooms for a better night's sleep.
The single most effective way to avoid Carbon Dioxide build-up is to keep windows open while you sleep. This allows fresh oxygen in, as well as allowing Carbon Dioxide to escape naturally. Another important factor in choosing to keep windows open at night is for temperature control or thermoregulation.
Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, director of the centre for climate repair at the University of Cambridge, says opening bedroom windows not only reduces the amount of circulating viruses, but can contribute to better sleep and improve daytime alertness by reducing levels of carbon dioxide, the gas we exhale when we breathe out.
Dry air can worsen your cold symptoms and parch your nose and throat. Use a humidifier to keep the air moist or open up a window for fresh cool air – just don't let the snow in. 3.
The basic rule of thumb is that you should close your windows when the temperature outside starts to exceed the temperature inside. It may seem counterintuitive, but as the temperature climbs, you'll often make your home warmer, not cooler, by opening the windows.
Benefits of Sleeping with the Window Open in Winter
Outdoor air is generally much cleaner than the air in your home, and opening the window allows clean, fresh air to circulate, flushing out the stale, contaminated air. Letting the cool, winter air in can also help you sleep better.
Absolutely. Curtains reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room. For keeping heat inside the home, high-quality curtains can reduce heat loss by around 40%, particularly if they are floor length and close to the wall and window panes.
Window Coverings for Heat Reduction
Window coverings are just as useful during the cooling season. Using shade to save energy is one of the most cost-effective ways to lower your home's energy bill; it's as simple as drawing the curtains before you leave home in the morning!
Curtains prevent allergens from getting into your rooms. When your windows are open, dust particles and pollen enter your home. Curtains act as a barrier and collect these particles. They also prevent moisture from condensation on windows entering your room at night.