The Importance of Indoor Air Quality for Sleep Quality

The importance of indoor air quality for sleep quality

Good night's sleep, but still tired?

A person spends a third of their life in the bedroom.

A few years ago, I was buying a bed. I looked at many different options and thought that a bed really doesn't matter because I sleep anywhere. I was looking at the cheapest options in the store, but then a salesperson came to talk to me.

After chatting for a moment, he showed me a popular bed that was on sale. It was clearly more expensive than I had thought. I started to hesitate about the investment, but then the salesperson said, ”A person spends a third of their life in the bedroom.”.
After that, the matter seemed self-evident. What other ways could I invest in my sleep quality? I dare say few spend longer continuous periods elsewhere. We often invest in hobbies, exercise, nutrition, and many people also invest in their sleep environment (bed, pillows). One of the least noticed aspects related to sleep is indoor air.

Why does indoor air quality in the bedroom affect sleep quality?

People react to increased carbon dioxide levels in different ways because everyone's tolerance is personal. Most commonly, someone in an apartment may notice stuffy air, and feel tired and have a headache. A poor night's sleep can be caused by excessively high carbon dioxide levels in the bedroom. Carbon dioxide absorbed into the bloodstream can cause restlessness, sweating, and waking up during the night.

Is sleep restorative or performance-based?

Humans have several different sleep stages, each with its own physiological significance for health. High carbon dioxide levels in the bedroom particularly hinder the ability to reach deep sleep because the respiratory center increases breathing rate to obtain sufficient oxygen. A faster breathing rate equals a higher heart rate, which means less deep sleep.

Does indoor air quality affect my sleep and performance?

According to research conducted at the Technical University of Denmark, bedroom ventilation and air quality significantly affected students' sleep quality and alertness. In the experiment, part of the test group slept in a room with high carbon dioxide levels, with the door closed and no possibility to open a window at night. Another part slept with the bedroom door open and a fan placed in front of an open window. In the study, students used smartwatches that measured sleep, recording time to fall asleep, sleep fragmentation, and sleep efficiency. Additionally, they had

Better sleep is linked to better performance and memory.

What was observed in the study was that the better the bedroom air quality and the lower the carbon dioxide concentration, the better the sleep quality and restfulness. Those who slept in better air quality also performed better on cognitive tests. They also experienced the air as significantly fresher and felt more alert.

Fresh indoor air leads to better sleep

Freshin Oy’s customers almost without exception report that their sleep quality has improved thanks to effective ventilation. Before the installation, many had no idea that improving indoor air quality could help them sleep better at night. It’s easy to brush off sleep problems as just another part of life’s challenges and stress, but Freshin helps you identify the problem and, above all, find a solution.

How can I check the air quality in my bedroom?

Humans spend a third of their lives in the bedroom. For this reason, indoor air, and especially bedroom indoor air, is critically important for one's own well-being and health. Freshin Oy offers its customers the opportunity to measure their own indoor air free of charge. Freshin will lend you the award-winning Airthings indoor air monitor on the market. The monitor is circulated around the living spaces while you live normally at home, and the measurement does not require the presence of a professional. Once the measurement is complete, a trained Freshin indoor air expert will review the measurement results with the residents. You will receive a comprehensive analysis of your indoor climate, and if necessary, a quote for ventilation suitable for your home. Read more about the measurement here.