Keeping your window open at night can really enhance your sleep environment, especially if you live somewhere that allows the sounds of nature (the ocean or birdsong, for example) to filter into the bedroom. Fresh air boosts serotonin levels, leaving you more relaxed and, therefore, more likely to fall asleep!
Keeping a window open reduced concentration of carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and some particulate matter in participant bedrooms, according to Fan's 2022 study. People slept better. Keeping a door open also reduced carbon dioxide concentration, without a direct correlation to improving sleep.
Ventilation at night to sleep with the windows open is conducive to indoor air flow, fresh air, to create a comfortable sleep environment. Sleeping with the window open and keeping indoor air flow is conducive to human blood circulation.
Most deaths from house fires are caused by smoke inhalation. The bedroom door being closed provides more time to react to the smoke alarms that are activated outside the bedroom before the bedroom starts to fill with smoke.
Generally, if your house is decently insulated, keep the windows and blinds closed when the sun is shining. Open the windows in the evening and at night. More specifically, keep the windows closed when the outside temperature is hotter than it is inside, and open the windows when it's cooler outside than inside.
If the weather outside is hotter, then close your windows to trap the “cool” air in. On the other hand, if the inside of your house is hotter, usually in the early morning or late evening, then open them up to let a cool breeze in.
If it's safe to do so, open doors and windows as much as you can to bring in fresh, outdoor air. While it's better to open them widely, even having a window cracked open slightly can help. If you can, open multiple doors and windows to allow more fresh air to move inside.
Positioning your bed in line with the door is the worst possible position, according to the principles of Feng shui. People who practice Feng shui call it the 'dead man's position' or the 'coffin position' because the feet or head face the door and resemble how we carry the dead through open doors from the house.
Locked Doors Create a Barrier Between You and Potential Intruders. In the case of a home invasion, locking your door can provide a barrier between you and potential intruders. It may also buy yourself some time to call for help or escape.
Also, do not sleep with your feet pointed toward the door. This so-called “coffin position” is considered an unlucky sleep position in feng shui, since it mimics the way a person's corpse is carried out of a room when a person dies.
In the U.S., the uncovered window is perhaps less an expression of communal trust than one of personal protection. Wealthier homeowners, who can also afford state-of-the-art security systems, may not feel that they need shades. These curtainless windows have become one of our subtlest statements of privilege.
Aid in Better Sleep
A dark room is key to getting a good night's sleep, and closing your blinds or curtains at night can help achieve that. Darkness prompts the body to produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep cycles.
Mold thrives in areas that are dark and damp, like basements or crawl spaces in homes. When you leave your window open overnight or for extended periods of time, humidity can enter through these openings and cause mold growth on furniture or walls near the window.
It is widely recommended that we should all ventilate all rooms three to five times a day for ten minutes at a time. In cold outside temperatures, five minutes are sufficient. It is especially recommended that windows be opened to air the room shortly before going to bed, as long as you don't suffer from hay fever.
Yes, sleeping with windows open can improve air circulation, regulate temperature, and enhance indoor air quality, potentially leading to better sleep quality. However, it may not be suitable in areas with high pollution, noise, or extreme weather conditions.
One of the most significant concerns for those sleeping in a room without windows is the air quality. Without proper ventilation or access to outdoor air, your space becomes more susceptible to humidity, allergens, and potentially harmful airborne chemicals.
Keeping your bedroom door closed has been proven to slow the spread of a house fire. Additional benefits include reduction of toxic smoke levels and lower levels of heat inside the bedroom. It is important to note – within 60 seconds of a fire starting, ceiling temperatures can reach over 1,000° F.
According to Feng Shui principles, this allows a clear vantage point of the door when lying in bed, and is the best position to receive positive energy.
Creating a Safe Refuge
A closed door can create a temporary safe space that keeps the intense heat and toxic smoke outside. With the door closed, the air inside the room stays cooler and cleaner. This “safe zone” can be the difference between life and death as it gives firefighters additional time to rescue you.
Place your headboard or head of bed on a solid wall without windows for the best support. Do not place your bed against the bathroom wall. Keep space around both sides of your bed for air circulation. Avoid sleeping under beams, soffits, and sloped ceilings.
The healthiest direction to sleep is typically considered to be east or south. East is said to promote intellectual effectiveness and south is believed to enhance quality of sleep. Which direction should I put my head while sleeping? It is generally recommended to place your head towards the east or south.
In Feng Shui, mirrors are thought to bounce energy around the bedroom. This may result in restlessness and amplify the worries in your mind as you struggle to fall asleep. Any extra anxiety at night when you're trying to stay calm makes it nearly impossible to get the sleep you need.
How, then, to keep your IAQ A-OK? Prevailing wisdom is that at least 5 minutes—and ideally 15 to 20 minutes—a day of ventilation significantly improves indoor air quality. For a strong ventilation, open the front and back door, along with windows on the path in between, to get the baddies out.
Passive ventilation can be as simple as an open window or a vent in a wall that allows air to move in and out of the building. Passive ventilation does not require energy, but it can still have a cost.
Persistent Odors: Homes should refresh and clear out odors naturally through proper ventilation. If cooking smells, smoke, or other odors last longer than they should, it's likely your home isn't circulating air properly.