Struggling with constant fatigue? Experts expose potential links between your living space and exhaustion, offering solutions for rejuvenation.
Feeling drained after last week's heatwave? You're not alone. While it might seem like you're simply not getting enough sleep, there could be other factors at play.
Here are some surprising culprits in your home that might be sapping your energy:
Ditch the harsh lighting
Your lighting choices can have a significant impact on how you feel, according to scientists. Overhead lights, especially cold, fluorescent ones, can be harsh on the eyes and draining over time. Most LED bulbs emit blue light, which can create sharp contrasts and shadows, straining your vision. This can make you feel tired and groggy during the day.
At night, blue light can signal to your body that it's still time to be alert, throwing off your natural wind-down process. A study by Harvard researchers found that blue light suppressed the hormone melatonin for roughly twice as long as green light. Melatonin plays a crucial role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
To combat this, experts suggest installing dimmer switches or investing in lamps.
Watch out for your old mattress
An old or unsupportive mattress can silently wreak havoc on your body. You might think you're getting a full night's sleep, but if you're tossing and turning or waking up stiff, you might not be able to fully recharge.
Sleep technology firm Simba advises changing your mattress every seven to eight years to prevent such issues. Prolonged use of an unsupportive mattress can cause problems at night, such as pain in your back and neck, and leave you feeling sore and tired in the morning.
Switch up your scented candles
Scented candles are often praised for their relaxing qualities. However, scents can also make you tired without you even realizing it. Exposure to fragranced products, even at low levels, has been associated with various adverse health effects including respiratory issues and hormone disruption.
One 2019 study involving thousands of participants from several countries found that nearly a third reported a sensitivity to fragrances. In those who are sensitive, fragrances can irritate the respiratory system, leading to fatigue.
Instead, experts suggest sticking to mint or citrus-scented candles during the daytime and using calming scents like lavender as a pre-bedtime ritual.
More on Light and Sleep
Your light exposure during the day can also throw off your body's natural rhythms, triggering feelings of drowsiness. Lack of natural daylight can lead to a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), characterized by extreme tiredness, depression, and mood swings.
To combat this, experts recommend choosing warm, natural light bulbs and spending as much time as possible in well-lit areas during the day. A study found that employees with more exposure to natural light slept longer, had better sleep quality, and reported better quality of life.
Unnecessary Noise
From the food mixer to the tumble dryer, homes are filled with noise. However, research suggests that this noise could be making us ill by causing stress and fatigue. Some of the worst offenders are our most essential devices like washing machines and vacuum cleaners.
Noise can elevate heart rate, blood pressure, and trigger stress, leading to a feeling of exhaustion. To minimize this, try using quieter appliances or investing in noise-canceling headphones.
Pollution in the Home
Smog found inside our homes can cause extreme tiredness, headaches, and shortness of breath. Common sources of indoor pollution include cooking residue, paint, varnishes, and fungal spores. Exposure to these pollutants can cause short-term health effects like fatigue and coughing, as well as longer-term conditions like asthma and lung cancer.
To improve air quality, experts recommend ventilating your home regularly, using air purifiers, and minimizing the use of products with synthetic fragrances.
Stack the odds in your favor
While it's impossible to eliminate all potential sources of energy drain in your home, adopting these simple changes can help you feel more refreshed and rested each day. Practice good sleep hygiene, minimize your exposure to sources of discomfort and pollution, and create a relaxing environment for yourself. A well-rested you will be better equipped to handle the challenges of life!
- The harsh lighting in your home could be a surprising factor contributing to your feelings of tiredness according to scientists.
- If you're using old or unsupportive mattresses, you might not be able to fully recharge during sleep, leading to feelings of soreness and fatigue in the morning.
- Scented candles can make you tired without your realization, as exposure to fragrances has been associated with adverse health effects such as respiratory issues and hormone disruption.
- Your light exposure during the day can disrupt your body's natural rhythms, leading to a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, characterized by extreme tiredness, depression, and mood swings.
- Unnecessary noise from appliances like food mixers and tumble dryers can cause stress and fatigue, elevating heart rate and blood pressure.
- Indoor pollution from sources such as cooking residue, paint, varnishes, and fungal spores can cause short-term health effects like fatigue and coughing, as well as longer-term conditions like asthma and lung cancer.
- By choosing warm, natural light bulbs, spending more time in well-lit areas during the day, and minimizing the use of products with synthetic fragrances, you can combat feelings of drowsiness and improve your overall health and wellness.
- Adopting simple changes such as practicing good sleep hygiene, minimizing exposure to sources of discomfort and pollution, and creating a relaxing environment for yourself can help you feel more refreshed and rested each day, improving your fitness and exercise routine, lifestyle, and even your fashion and beauty choices.
