In winter, it's a regular sight to see homes that are outfitted with a humidifier. Likely a water tank of some kind that's pumping steam back into the living space it occupies – whether that be a bedroom or common areas. For those who regularly follow this practice, it's a no-brainer. They've felt how their home feels after adding moisture into the air, and they're hooked. Some might be doing so on doctor recommendation, others simply humidify all on their own. And on either side of the spectrum, the health and comfort benefits are immense.

Starting with a reduction of the common cold.

Cold season claims many victims each year, but there's a reason so many become ill during the winter – actually, there's a few. With colder temperatures in the air, flu viruses are more likely to live on. Somewhat preserved by the cold, germs hold for dear life all season long. But that's not the only thing keeping them going, low humidity actually allows germs to live longer too. Simply adding a little moisture to your home can help kill off germs before they're able to do any damage.

Humidity can also help how you feel. When air is too dry, we can feel sick without even being sick. Dry nasal passages, irritated throats, scratchy eyes, etc. are all side effects of dry air. Sometimes these symptoms are even mistaken for winter allergies, worsened each time moisture levels drop. If you're suffering from a cold or side effects that are simply uncomfortable, enlist the help of a humidifier. A few hours in, and your symptoms are likely to lessen or go away altogether on their own.

Next, look at your skin and hair health. Whether or not you notice it, low humidity can cause absolute havoc on both of these areas. Your skin can become extremely dry, flaking and even bleeding in extreme cases, while hair will also be dry and frizzy. (See those little hairs that stand up, static electricity and dryness is to blame.) Yet no matter how much conditioner or how much lotion you use, these symptoms won't go away all on their own. So long as the air is dry, your body will feel the consequences. Implement a humidifier for almost instant relief from dry side effects on the skin and hair.

The winter is also bound to make us cold, constantly. Even under a pile of blankets or after cranking the heat, we can feel a chill. Why? Because of dry air. For contrast, think of humid summers and how much warmer they feel. Pump some water into your own air for an affordable way to make your house feel warmer and more comfortable, but without having to crank up the heat. Bonus: added home humidity can reduce aches and pains.

Humidifier users can also make the most out of their efforts by infusing essential oils within their systems. Not only are these substances a natural air freshener, essential oils can work to kill germs (including those that make you sick) that linger within the air or surrounding surfaces.

Finally, if you don't have a humidifier at home, put on a pot of boiling water. This will actually release more moisture into the air (think of the size of your pot vs. the size of your humidifier's opening). It's a far more affordable method, and allows you to benefit from humidifying benefits without enlisting the help of a separate device. But no matter how you go about it, though, an air humidifier can offer many natural and effective health benefits.