How to Manage Allergies and Get a Good Night's Sleep

Want to get a good night’s rest? For those with allergies it may seem impossible, but there are things that you can do help manage your allergies and sleep better.

Getting that Dust under Control

Even if you dust and vacuum daily and keep a clean house, dust is still there, wreaking havoc on your allergies. And you know what else: most of it can be found right where you sleep! Dust and other allergens are in your pillows, mattresses, and bedding and every time you fluff that pillow, or shake off your quilt, or even just flip over in bed, you are releasing dust into the air and breathing it in.

Along with being sure to keep your room clean and free of the dust that you can see, it’s also important to take care of what you can’t see and do your best to eliminate as much of the dust and allergens as possible to help manage your allergies when you sleep. The following can help you do that:

Air Purifiers: An air purifier pulls in air and passes it through filters that trap allergens that are invisible to the eye so that you can breathe cleaner air. Depending on the type of air purifier you choose, you can clean your air of dust, dust mite feces, pet dander, pollen (that comes in on your clothes and through doors and windows), smoke, gases, and other pollutants that aggravate allergies.

Dehumidifiers: If you’re allergic to mould and find your home especially damp and humid, a dehumidifier helps to trap moisture in the air which can control mould and improve breathing.

Humidifiers: Dry itchy eyes, a dry and scratchy throat, and irritated and blocked nasal passages can all be the result of air that’s too dry, either from the climate you live in or heating your home on cold days. A humidifier adds an invisible water vapour to the air that can eliminate the discomfort of dry eyes, nose, mouth, and skin from allergies or allergy medications.

Allergy-Sensitive Bedding: Choosing allergy-sensitive bedding, such as mattress protectors, quilts, and pillows can go a long way in improving your sleep if you suffer from allergies. They help prevent the growth of dust mites, mould, and bacteria that can aggravate allergies and interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

View our Air Purifier Buying Guide

View our Dehumidifier Buying Guide

Other Helpful Tips for Better Sleep

Along with keeping your air clean and free of allergens, maintaining an optimal humidity level is also important. It’s recommended that the humidity in your home be between 40 and 48 percent at all times for better breathing and controlling allergies. Using a dehumidifier in the summer and humidifier in the winter can help you do that.

The right temperature can also make all the difference in the world for someone with allergies or asthma. Keep your bedroom temperature comfortable and choose the weight of your quilts accordingly for the climate you sleep in. Some offer more warmth than others, while others even contain fibers that can help wick away sweat so that you sleep more comfortably.