As a teacher, more times than I can count, the best lessons were inspired at the very last minute–almost like improv. Some idea or twist would spark right before I fell asleep, in the shower, or even on the way to work, and it would take the lesson I was planning and make it so much more fun to teach and learn.
This blog post is kind of like that. I don’t have time to write it. I barely have time to make the lunches before kids get up, but I feel like I have to share about my mid-winter discovery—Lüften.
Lüften
What is that? Lüften is both noun and verb in German and translates to “to air; to let air in.” It also refers to the very common practice of airing out your home to release stale air and bring in fresh, healthy, and invigorating air. Yes, even in cold months.
My Tinkergarten teammate sent me this article about it in early December, and it immediately reminded me of a dear German friend’s habit of opening her windows all year round.
Rather intrigued, I’ve spent the first half of winter (yup, we’re almost halfway!), opening up the windows and doors on the first floor of our house every day. I do it for 3 minutes when it’s windy and 10 minutes when it’s not. On the weekends and snow days, my kids also help out by leaving the sliding door at least one third of the way open, too.
On workdays, I time my lüften with that second coffee of the morning, after my first "standup" meeting, and before the next tranche of meetings starts. And, I really look forward to it.
I am
It’s Amazing…for Several Reasons
If you know me, you know I love to try new things, but I am telling you, this one really makes a difference. What is it about this practice that has really grabbed hold of me? I think it’s a few things:
- Possible. Our word for 2024! It only takes a few minutes a day, so it’s really doable.
- Rituals rock. A daily habit, especially one that allows you to reset and refresh, can add texture and rhythm to your day. For many of us, winter can feel endless with short days, less color, etc, and a good, simple ritual or two can help mark time with guaranteed positive moments.
- The Sensory Experience. When the fresh air floods in, my senses get activated in a way that usually requires leaving home. The smell. The feel. And, even though I shiver and have to temporarily toss on a blanket on really cold days, I am aware of and “in” my body in a most marvelous way.
- Mood Lift. We know that breathing fresh air increases the amount of oxygen that your brain can use, and we experience it as a boost to our thinking. Fresh air is medicine. It’s magic. After lüften, my head feels more clear. I am more awake, alert, and oddly grateful for nature, even as I move between Zoom calls.
- Sense of Agency. So much of the time, I feel like I am in response mode, balancing and accommodating what is happening around me. What are the people on the screen doing, asking, and feeling? What do my kids need today? My lüften practice brings a moment that I take control of my environment, and it feels empowering.
Health
Refreshing the air has multiple benefits for health, too. Stale air is more likely to contain contaminants, allergens, and viruses. My middle child suffers allergies, so I listen up when Harvard Medical School says, “Stale indoor air and heating systems can increase the amount of allergy-inducing dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores circulating through your house.” And, the lüften fan in me is pleased to hear Harvard advise that we, “Even in the cold months, open windows from time to time to allow fresh air to move into the house.”
Energy
I live in Massachusetts, and heating homes in winter is a serious cost and often a stress for many people. Before I started trying my daily dose of lüften, I asked that same German friend about what it did to her heating bills when we both lived in New York City. She reassured me that a little lüften each day should not show up on my gas bills. And, believe it or not, over a month into the practice, my daily doses of fresh air have not made an impact, as predicted. Phew!
There is meaningful discussion that too much lüften is wasteful and inefficient, though. In fact, the German government has a word Stoßlüften or shock-lüften/shock ventilation that refers to the quick, limited time way I practice lüften, and that is the encouraged practice for energy efficiency.
Try it!
If this sounds worth trying, let a little lüften in! See if it makes an impact on you. We’ve got a little over half the winter left to go, and it could be just the thing to lift your spirits and your health when you’re in your home!
