Yes, a lack of fresh air, often due to poor ventilation and high levels of indoor pollutants, can definitely make you feel tired, sluggish, and less focused, leading to that "stuffy room" fatigue because of increased carbon dioxide (CO2) and other contaminants affecting your brain and body. Getting outside or improving indoor air quality with more oxygen and less CO2 helps boost energy and mental clarity.
Mental Health side effects: As explored above, poor ventilation in a home can have numerous detrimental effects to the occupant's physical health, such as fatigue, headaches and difficulty concentrating. All of these factors and more can have knock-on negative effects on the individual's mental health.
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea.
Sleep deprivation is probably the most common cause of excessive daytime sleepiness. Symptoms can occur in healthy persons after even mild sleep restriction.
Effects on overall health
Fresh air does not enter and stale air is not removed to the outside. The consequences are: Increased risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies. Increased risk of developing respiratory problems.
Unhealthy Air's Impact on Health
Coughing. Wheezing. More frequent or more severe asthma attacks. Irritation of the eyes and throat.
Fresh air not only cleans your lungs, it can also boost your mood, lower your heart rate, increase energy levels and even improve digestion (yes, that's right). Florence Nightingale knew the benefits of fresh air long before any scientific study.
The four Ps are problem solving, planning, prioritising and pacing. The aim is to think of the four Ps at the beginning of each day or week to help you manage your energy levels.
The 40s and 50s
Both fluctuations can result in lower energy levels, feeling lethargic, and less muscle mass. Again, the 40s and 50s impact people differently, with some noticing fewer effects than others. However, during this stage, people will usually notice they're "getting old".
If you lead an active lifestyle, or you just need an energy boost, both Vitamin B12 and Iron can help reduce feelings of tiredness and fatigue. Or if you need to sustain your mental alertness and concentration, Ginseng can support your mental wellbeing.
A low oxygen level in the blood can cause shortness of breath and air hunger (the feeling that you can't breathe in enough air). Your skin, lips, and fingernails may also have a bluish color. A high carbon dioxide level can cause rapid breathing and confusion.
Signs of Poor Ventilation
If your bedroom is poorly ventilated, CO2 is likely to build up in a way that makes you less comfortable, and even damages your health. Research shows that concentrations of carbon dioxide when people are sleeping are between 3 to 5 times higher in bedrooms where the window is shut.
Signs of Low Humidity
Respiratory Issues: When you breathe air containing too little moisture, mucus membranes lining the respiratory and nasal passages dry out. This can cause sore throats, nose bleeds, chest congestion and coughing, and worsen existing respiratory conditions.
an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby. hormonal changes (such as during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause) some illnesses, like glandular fever and COVID-19.
The specific disease outcomes most strongly linked with exposure to air pollution include stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, and cataract (household air pollution only).
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, iron, and magnesium, are among the most common causes of unexplained fatigue. Vitamin D deficiencies affect over 50% of the global population, and approximately 12.5% have iron deficiency anemia.
Physical decline often begins when people enter their 50s, according to data from the Physical Performance Across the Lifespan Study (PALS), a collaboration between the MURDOCK Study and Duke Claude D.
Tips to feel less tired
Consult a GP for advice.
Fatigue becomes worrisome when it lasts over a couple of weeks without relief, disrupts daily activities, comes on suddenly without a clear cause, or is accompanied by "red flag" symptoms like unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, fever, unusual bleeding, severe headaches, or chest pain, indicating a need to see a doctor promptly. It's crucial to seek medical advice if rest, good nutrition, and stress management don't improve your energy levels.
Warning signs of tiredness
Walking for 30 minutes a day or more on most days of the week is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. If you can't manage 30 minutes a day, remember even short walks more frequently can be beneficial.
But there are things you can do to keep your lungs healthy and even increase your capacity.
Being outdoors is important for your health
Even if it's just for 20 minutes a day, make time to get outside. Your mental and physical well-being relies on it.