The Surprising Link Between Air Quality and Your Sleep
Sleep is more than just a nightly routine—it’s a crucial pillar of overall well-being. And since we spend almost a third of our lives in the bedroom, it makes sense to turn it into a space that truly supports our health. Beyond reducing the risk of anxiety, heart disease, and obesity, better sleep is also linked to younger-looking skin, greater financial success, and an overall improved quality of life.1
One powerful yet often overlooked tool for improving sleep quality is having an air purifier. But can an air purifier for the bedroom actually make a difference? Let’s explore what disrupts your sleep, how air quality plays a role, and how an air purifier can significantly improve your nightly rest.
What Causes Interrupted Sleep?
According to the CDC, about one-third of adults and children under 14 do not get enough sleep, with three-quarters of high schoolers also sleep-deprived.2 Poor sleep goes beyond just feeling tired the next day—it can negatively impact your long-term health and overall quality of life.
In fact, an estimated 32.8% of adults are sleep deprived, which means roughly one in three adults are not getting the rest they need.3 Long-term poor sleep can reduce lifespan by 4.7 years from a woman’s life and 2.4 years from a man’s life (HelpGuide.org).4
Here are some common culprits:
- Irregular Sleep Patterns: Changing up your sleep schedule constantly can throw off your body’s internal clock, making it harder to sleep and stay asleep.
- Screen Time Before Bed: We all know screens are a big part of life, but looking at your phone, computer, or TV before bed messes with melatonin production—the hormone that helps you fall asleep.
- Stress and Anxiety: When your mind is racing, it’s hard to wind down. Stress and anxiety are major reasons people struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep.
- Caffeine and Alcohol: Caffeine is obvious—it keeps you awake. But alcohol, while it might make you drowsy, can actually cause you to wake up during the night and get less restful sleep.
- Poor Sleep Environment: Things like an uncomfortable mattress, noise, light, and even poor air quality can all mess with your ability to get a good night’s rest.
How Air Quality Impacts Your Sleep
One aspect often overlooked is how the air you breathe affects your sleep. The connection between breathing and restful sleep is profound. When air quality is poor, your body has to work harder to breathe, leading to restlessness and interruptions. Poor air quality can also exacerbate allergies or asthma, causing nasal congestion, coughing, or sneezing during the night—all of which can prevent you from getting deep, restorative sleep.
Research shows a clear link between air pollution and decreased sleep quality. According to the American Lung Association, indoor air can be 5-100 times more polluted than outdoor air.5 Since most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors, the quality of the air in spaces like our bedrooms becomes a critical factor in overall health.
Can an Air Purifier Really Improve Your Sleep Quality?
In short, yes. A study from the National Library of Medicine found that using an air purifier with a particulate filter in the bedroom resulted in participants sleeping an average of 12 minutes longer each night, with an additional 19 minutes spent in bed.6 While these may seem like small gains, over time, the impact on your sleep quality—and your health—can be significant.
Air purifiers improve indoor air quality by capturing harmful airborne particles such as dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander. This reduces allergens that can disrupt your sleep. Some air purifiers also target volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors—like those emitted from candles that many of us light in our bedrooms—creating a cleaner, fresher environment that supports restful sleep.
Choosing the Right Air Purifier for Your Bedroom
Selecting an effective air purifier for your bedroom is crucial for creating a healthy sleep environment. The right purifier can significantly enhance your air quality, helping you breathe easier and sleep better.
But not all air purifiers are created equal. When choosing a high-quality air purifier, there are a few key features to consider:
- HEPA Filter: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are essential for trapping tiny particles like dust, pollen, and mold that can affect sleep.
- VOC Filter: A good air purifier should include a VOC filter to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be released from household products, paints, and furniture, negatively impacting air quality and health.
- Quiet Operation: Since you’ll be running the purifier overnight, look for one with a quiet fan setting that won’t disturb your sleep.
- Dimmable Lights: Some purifiers come with built-in lights. Choosing one with a dimmable option ensures you’re not adding unnecessary light pollution to your room.
- Auto-Mode: Quality purifiers with an auto-mode feature can adjust its settings based on the room’s air quality, ensuring it’s always working optimally without manual intervention.
And now for the good news: You won’t have to spend hours searching for the right one because the AirDoctor checks all the boxes. With its UltraHEPA and VOC filter, AirDoctor’s award-winning purifiers capture even the tiniest particles and harmful toxic gasses. Combined with quiet operation, dimmable lights, and smart auto-mode, AirDoctor creates a comfortable sleep environment, ensuring you breathe cleaner air for a restful night.
In fact, 93% of AirDoctor customers agree that using AirDoctor in their bedroom has helped them sleep better at night.*
The Bottom Line: Sleep Better, Live Better
Sleep is a crucial factor in maintaining good health, and improving your sleep environment—starting with cleaner air—can have profound effects on how well you rest. By adding an AirDoctor air purifier to your bedroom, you’re investing in better air quality, deeper sleep, and ultimately a healthier, longer life. Here’s to waking up refreshed and ready for each new day!
To learn more about AirDoctor and find the perfect air purifier for a healthier environment for your bedroom, visit https://airdoctorpro.com/purifiers.
Citations:
2) https://www.cdc.gov/cdi/indicator-definitions/sleep.html
3) https://www.helpguide.org/wellness/sleep/sleep-statistics
6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36351665/#:~:text=The%20purifier%20filter%20was%20associated,Sleep
*Based on an email survey of 770 AirDoctor customer respondents.