Spring will officially be here soon. The birds are already chirping, flowers are blooming — and countless people are already suffering from dreaded spring allergies. Depending on the severity of your allergies, sleeping can become a tough feat for those afflicted by stuffy noses and puffy eyes.
The inability to breathe properly can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep, which will ultimately affect your mental and physical well-being. Luckily, there are actions you can take to construct an allergy-proof bedroom and improve your sleep this spring.
Can You Sneeze While Sleeping?
The short answer is no.
During REM sleep some of the neurotransmitters that send signals to your brain temporarily shut down — so your brain isn’t triggered to sneeze.
Your body can, however, wake up when it really needs to sneeze.
The presence of enough sneeze-inducing stimuli would first wake you up, and then you would sneeze in a sleep-wake stupor before being able to fall asleep again. Therefore, if your allergies are severe and the nerve cells in your nose are constantly irritated, it can be nearly impossible to stay asleep.
How To Create An Allergy-Proof Bedroom
If you find yourself unable to sleep because your allergies are so irritating, use these simple tips to reduce the presence of allergy-inducing stimuli in your bedroom.
1. Destroy Dust Mites
Using a mattress protector, pillowcases, and any other bed-related shields will not only decrease dust mites but get rid of bed bugs and other unwanted presences. When purchasing a brand-new protector, check the packaging to verify it offers protection against dust mites.
Keeping your bed sheets as clean as possible, as often as possible, is also helpful. We recommend washing your linens in warm or hot water once a week to keep the dust and dirt at bay.
2. Vacuum
It sounds simple, but vacuuming is a huge factor in maintaining an allergy-proof bedroom. If your bedroom is carpeted, vacuum once or twice per week. Wood floors, on the other hand, don’t collect as much dirt, so it’s okay to vacuum a little less often.
Be sure to wear a mask when emptying the vacuum bag so you aren’t inhaling all the allergens you just cleaned up.
3. Sanitize Windows
Stick to washable curtains and roller shades for your window coverings. While these will still harbor dust, they are much easier to clean compared to their dry clean only counterparts.
Be sure to regularly clean your windows with water and soap or a cleaning agent to prevent mildew buildup as well.
4. Keep Pets Out
While their cute little faces may be irresistible, most pets shed hair and skin cells that create allergens. As many know, dog and cat hair specifically can stick around for a very long time, despite your efforts to get rid of it.
If possible, make your bedroom a pet-free zone. If that is not possible, vacuum your bedroom regularly.
5. Declutter Your Bedroom
When items pile up and aren’t touched for periods of time, it becomes a breeding ground for dust. Remember the more stuff you have, the more there is to clean.
If piles of papers and knickknacks are making it harder to clean, consider throwing them out or moving them elsewhere. After all, spring cleaning can be a year-round activity!
6. Beware Of Feather Dusters
Many feather dusters don’t work. In fact — most don’t remove dust at all.
They simply irritate the dust so that it moves from its original spot to settle elsewhere in the bedroom. If you’re going to use a duster, make sure you vacuum afterward and use paper towels to clean the hard surfaces in your bedroom. Dispose of the paper towels in a different room after you’re done.
Sleep Tight In An Allergy-Proof Bedroom
Implementing these tips will reduce the chance of you sneezing your way through the night. The key is keeping your room as sanitary as possible and preventing those sneaky particles from entering your room and irritating your system.
A great first step is investing in a mattress protector. It will not only keep the allergens at bay but also extend the lifespan of your mattress and add an extra layer of plush comfort to your bed.