"Luften" Is the German Fall Ritual You Need to Try ASAP
It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over when I’m still having to blast my AC at full power, sweating through my makeup, and doing everything humanly possible to avoid the latest heat wave. However, I’ve increasingly found myself getting ready to embrace the changing leaves, cozy Gilmore Girl rewatches, and refreshingly chilly mornings of fall — and even getting ready to try a new wellness trend to ring in the new season.
While browsing fall aesthetic videos on TikTok and Instagram, I discovered “Lüften,” a German habit that basically cleans your home of stale air and mold with minimal effort.
“Lüften” is basically the practice of opening your windows full once or twice a day to ventilate your space, TikToker Lucie Rauschnabel revealed in a video sharing the German traditions her parents instilled in her while growing up. Not only does this get rid of any stale air and odors, but it also apparently prevents mold in your home by helping with room humidity.
There are also the extra health benefits of getting fresh air circulating throughout your house, which can include increased energy, a mood boost, better respiratory wellness, and even improvements for your digestion. According to Reddit, Germans are so passionate about this wellness practice that some landlords even have it written in the lease that you need to do Lüften every day.
Of course, chances are you’ve practiced Lüften even without knowing it at some point in your life. In the spring and fall, I sometimes like to sleep with the windows open, as I prefer a slightly chiller temperature when getting a good night of rest and don’t want to waste money on air conditioning. Fall’s 65- to 70-degree weather can also feel pretty optimal, helping you save on energy bills if you simply keep your windows open.
However, it’s not always practical during the summer and winter when you’re trying to keep your space as cold or as warm as possible, making fall the perfect time to try this trend for the first time, or even make it a more regular part of your routine.
If you want to take the Lüften trend a step further, you might want to consider testing out a popular Nordic sleep practice, which recently went viral on Instagram after Danish musician Amalie Brunn revealed that her newborn naps outdoors.
While the practice might seem odd to American parents, the thinking is the same: Basically, outdoor temperatures in the region provide an optimal, chilly environment for great naps, and the fresh air boosts the babies’ immunity while they snooze in their carriages.
Apartment Therapy writer and self-professed hot sleeper Sarah Magnuson said she now swears by sleeping with her windows open after the cooler temperatures changed her quality of sleep. So, if you’re looking to revamp your sleep, air out your home, and even improve your health, adding a Lüften routine this fall might be one of the easiest self-care practices you can do.
Further Reading
A Travel Warning From an Entomologist: Always Put Your Suitcase in the Hotel Bathroom!
I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
