Improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) of your home is a great way to get better sleep. IAQ affects your breathing patterns, allergy symptoms, and overall comfort levels. To boost the IAQ of your Brookville, Indiana, home, learn how allergens, volatile organic compounds, and humidity all influence your good night’s sleep: something vital to your overall health.
Allergens Disrupt Breathing
Allergens — such as dust, ragweed, and pet dander — can interrupt the deep, regular breathing required for restorative sleep. Furthermore, they can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms, making it almost impossible to rest well. Dust mites found in bedding can cause sneezing and coughing even in people who don’t normally suffer from allergies.
What You Can Do: Wrap pillows and mattresses in dust mite-proof covers and change your sheets regularly. Also, consider investing in a whole-home air purifier to cleanse your home’s air, particularly if you suffer from asthma or allergies.
VOCs Can Induce Allergies
The levels of volatile organic compounds in your bedroom may affect your sleep quality. VOCs are airborne noxious chemicals that can worsen allergies and cause headaches and a host of other health issues. Many common household items (mattresses, furniture, and electronics) emit VOCs, but there are ways to limit your exposure.
What You Can Do: Invest in low-VOC products for your home, and make sure your bedroom is well-ventilated.
Humidity Affects Sleep Quality
The amount of moisture in the air plays a huge role in the comfort levels of your home and can greatly determine the quality of your sleep. Humid air makes your home feel warmer than it is. Dry air causes itchy skin and dry nasal passages. Both can seriously upset how well you sleep at night.
What You Can Do: Try to maintain a relative humidity level of 40% to 50%; humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help.
We can help improve your IAQ so you and your family can get better sleep. Why wait? Give Western Hills Heating and Air Conditioning a call at 812-227-3001 today.
Image provided by Shutterstock
