If you’ve ever struggled to fall asleep or woken up with a lingering feeling of fatigue, then you know how frustrating insomnia and exhaustion can be. Unfortunately, for many people, such experiences are a nightly reality – but the good news is that they don’t have to be. Many people can resolve their sleep difficulties by making a simple change: placing an air purifier in the bedroom. Much as other small changes, such as choosing more comfortable sleepwear, can transform your sleep experience, introducing an air purifier can help you go from restless to rested.
The Air Quality Effect
Unless they have significant breathing issues or live in a uniquely moldy or dusty environment, many people don’t give air quality much thought. That’s a mistake, though, because poor air quality can have a negative impact even on those in good health. Indoor air quality is generally 4-5 times worse than outdoor air, which can have a negative impact on both sleep quality and efficiency, resulting in many microarousals during the night, overall fatigue, and frequent headaches in the short-term.
Over the longer term, poor air quality is associated with much worse outcomes than just a restless night’s sleep. Rather, research has found that poor air quality is closely associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, premature births, and even dementia.
Choosing An Air Purifier
Given the significant health concerns associated with poor air quality, it makes sense to invest in an air purifier – but there are a lot of choices out there. What type of air purifier is right for you? Mechanical HEPA filters eliminate indoor allergens best, but need to be supplemented with HEPA-equipped vacuums since particles settle quickly indoors. Depending on the size of your space and different people’s needs, you can also choose between portable air purifiers, mini purifiers meant for small spaces, and other variations.
Maximizing Value
Certain people benefit more significantly from the presence of an air purifier than others. In particular, children with asthma not only sleep better when they have air filters in their bedrooms, but they also experience a significant decrease in asthma symptoms. Similarly, individuals in urban areas with higher rates of air pollution and those with other pre-existing respiratory issues, such as sleep apnea and COPD, should also sleep in a room with an air purifier.
Subtle Gains
While people with respiratory conditions may experience more significant benefits from placing air purifier in their bedrooms, other people will find subtler gains. In particular, you may find you experience improved concentration and attention from sleeping in a room with better air quality. This is a natural extension of sleeping more deeply and feeling more rested – you’ll have better cognitive function, which can give you an advantage at work, make you a safer driver, and improve your mood.
Most people assume their home air quality is perfectly fine, and while it may be acceptable compared to the days of coal heating or other pollutants, it can still be greatly improved. With the simple introduction of an air purifier, you can start sleeping soundly.
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