What Affects Sleep

Family health is important, so the quality of sleep your family members are getting is a priority. Some lifestyle changes could be affecting your loved one’s sleep, but your home’s air quality could also be responsible. Regular HVAC maintenance to reduce indoor air pollution is vital, but you should also be carefully monitoring your family’s caffeine intake. Keep an eye on these things to help everyone get the rest that they need.

Indoor air pollution causes numerous problems, from minor inconveniences like sore throats and congestion to long-term, life-altering consequences such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and a higher likelihood of stroke. Plus, if your air quality affects your family’s sleep quality, you’re all exposed to the risks associated with insufficient sleep. Improve your home’s air quality with an air quality check, and swap out the filters regularly — every one to three months. If you’re using any artificially scented products, stop immediately. These pollute the air in your home.

Once you have your home’s air quality under control, take a closer look at how much caffeine everyone is consuming. A cup of coffee in the morning is good for you, but too much caffeine will affect your sleep quality. Note that caffeine is also found in soda, candy bars, ice cream, and even decaf coffee. Institute one simple dietary rule — no caffeine within six hours of bedtime. This, combined with improved air quality in your home, will have an immediate effect on your ability to fall and stay asleep. Find more helpful sleep tips in the infographic below.

Sleep - IG