We’ve all had days where we feel like we’re dragging; where the morning coffee doesn’t quite do the trick, and you keep losing focus mid-conversation. It’s easy to blame days like this on stress, lack of sleep, and the busyness of life and family. But what if the air you breathe is part of the problem?
Believe it or not, indoor air quality (IAQ) has a huge impact on how people think and feel. Recent research shows that when the air where we live and work isn’t fresh, it can lead to brain fog, sluggishness, and even mood swings. And dust and allergens aren’t the only culprits. Impurities like carbon dioxide, fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds can actually slow down your cognitive function.
These issues can impact both kids and adults, but even small changes can make a difference. Here’s a closer look at how air quality affects mood and mental acuity and what you can do to improve the air you breathe so you can feel better at work and at home.
Feeling groggy or struggling to focus in the afternoon could be blamed on a bad night’s sleep, but pay attention (so to speak) if those symptoms stick around on days when you’re well-rested — impurities in your air could be to blame.
“There have been a number of studies showing that when CO₂ levels rise, attentiveness falls off,” says Ken Nelson, group sales manager with Panasonic Eco Systems North America. Though it’s a natural byproduct of respiration, too much of it can lead to headaches, dizziness, restlessness, tiredness and more. All of these issues can affect both kids and adults, especially in situations like work or school where cognitive focus is key. CO₂ levels can rise quickly in rooms with poor ventilation — think shared bedrooms, crowded classrooms, or even that conference room at work where people seem to zone out mid-meeting.
So how much CO₂ is too much? Here’s a quick look at typical indoor CO₂ levels (measured in parts per million)
and their impact:
With these figures in mind, health organizations and IAQ experts agree: thinking clearly, staying productive, and avoiding sluggishness requires good indoor air quality.
CO₂ isn’t the only thing that could be impacting your mental and physical wellness. The air in your home and workplace might also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products, furniture and paint fumes. These airborne chemicals can cause headaches, dizziness and trouble focusing, making it difficult to get through the day.
Additionally, fine PM2.5 particulates are also impacting the air you breathe. Coming from sources like cooking, smoking and even outdoor pollution creeping into your home, a Global CogFx study of working adults around the world found that as PM2.5 levels increased, response times on cognitive tests steadily declined.
“People often focus on CO₂ when it comes to mental clarity, but PM2.5 is just as important,” Nelson explains. “If you’re cooking on a gas stove, breathing in cigarette smoke or living near a busy highway, you’re exposed to airborne particles that can affect how you think and feel. You want to make sure the air you’re breathing is as clean as possible.”
Nelson adds that mold and mildew are contributors to indoor air quality as well, and are especially problematic in homes with excess humidity. Not only can mold exposure trigger respiratory problems, but it can also lead to fatigue and brain fog.
“Having CO₂ and PM2.5 in the air affects mental clarity, but anything that negatively impacts respiration can affect your overall health,” he says. “And what happens when you don’t feel well? You miss work, your kids miss school, and that all adds up over time.”
If all of this sounds like a lot to fix, here’s the good news: Improving your home’s indoor air quality doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, not improving it could cost you more in the long run.
Take Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV), for example. “It costs under $1,000 to install an ERV, and less than $10 a year to run it,” says Nelson, referring to average home requirements and energy costs. “But if poor air quality leads to a serious asthma attack? A single emergency room visit could cost you way more than that.”
Less extreme impacts of poor IAQ can still take a toll. Headaches, fatigue, and brain fog can make it harder to focus, leading to lost productivity at work. If your kids are constantly getting sick from mold or dust exposure, that’s more missed school days — and more stress for you. In fact, poor IAQ is such a widespread issue that there’s even a term for it: sick building syndrome. It describes people feeling unwell (think: headaches, fatigue, dizziness) when spending time indoors, only to feel better once they leave the space. Sound familiar?
The bottom line is, investing in better air quality as much about keeping yourself and your family healthy as it is about home comfort. And with simple solutions like better ventilation, air filtration, exhaust fans and humidity control, you don’t have to spend a fortune to breathe easier.
ERV airflow diagram - Photo courtesy of Panasonic Eco Systems
Overcoming the potential health risks of poor IAQ means taking three key steps to improve your indoor environment.
The air inside your home shapes how you feel, think, and function. By improving ventilation, upgrading filtration, and managing humidity, you can create a space that supports both physical and mental well-being.
"Don't overthink it — just start somewhere," Nelson says. "Whether it’s adding a better filter or cracking a window for fresh air, small changes can make a big difference."
Want to learn more about how to improve the indoor air quality at home? Explore Panasonic ventilation solutions - including their award-winning bathroom fans and ERVs - that can help you create healthier spaces throughout your home.