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The Gift of Love is in the Air - Literally! CO2 Levels in the Bedroom

At Home with ADHD
THE GIFT OF LOVE IS IN THE AIR - LITERALLY! CO₂ LEVELS IN THE BEDROOM

By: Lannette Guerra | February 1, 2024

Dear SMMC mommies,

Recently, I came across a shocking discovery about the sleep & air quality in our bedroom. After analyzing my home's CO₂ readings my ten years of sleep-tracking data, I found that the years of my daughter’s sneaking into bed with us did not do us any favors. So, this February in the spirit of “Love is in the Air” and everyone's sanity and well-being, I want to share my findings with you to shed some light on the potential dangers of long-term co-sleeping with our little ones and the levels of CO₂ in your home.

Although joyful, all those years of falling asleep with our kiddos and our pets in the bedroom did not help with the sweet slumber. The more people in a room the higher the level of carbon dioxide. After an extended period of time, indoor carbon dioxide can cause chronic health issues. Not only can it lead to respiratory problems but it also has the potential to impact your cognitive abilities. Why is this particularly important in homes where you may have children or adults with ADHD? I’ll tell you why. Our cognitive abilities are already affected by our neurodivergent brain, and we want to limit exposure to anything that can make that worse, and high levels of CO₂ certainly heighten the traits.

Sleep and air quality are two essential building blocks for overall well-being. But sadly these invisible disruptors such as high levels of CO₂ can make things more complicated for us. So, let’s take a quick look at what to look out for and how to fix the problem after you purchase a CO₂ monitor for the house.

You want to ensure your bedroom levels stay at a healthy PPM; anything below 1000 PPM is considered the safe number according to EPA standards. However, some research points to levels as low as 800 ppm to show symptoms.
If you are experiencing the following health issues it may be a sign you may be a silent victim of the long-term effects of poor air circulation in the bedroom:
1. headache and drowsiness, rapid breathing, confusion, increased cardiac output, elevated blood pressure, increased arrhythmias, inflammation, reductions in higher-level cognitive abilities, bone demineralization, kidney calcification, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction.
If you find that your bedroom CO₂ readings are above 1000 PPM you will have to start eliminating the reasons why:
1. Are there too many breathing bodies sharing the space? Not trying to be Linda Evangelist over here (see link for humor). But it may be time to return the babies to their bedrooms.
2. Are proper ventilation strategies in place (Opened windows, doors, and mechanical systems)?
3. Is there clutter blocking vents or objects impeding proper airflow?
4. Are there any burning candles near you?

Lastly, I’d like to point out that HEPA filters help eliminate possible air pollutants, but they do not impact the level of CO₂in your spaces, which is a common misunderstanding for some folks. Indoor plants may help maintain our home's air quality, but it would take a jungle to have them be our saving grace.

In conclusion, there can be a million reasons why you may wake up every morning as a semi-truck hit you, despite living a healthy lifestyle and being in bed for 8 hours. As the saying goes, it’s not quantity; it’s quality. Alas, our duty as caregivers to these young minds is to find all the possible ailments that impede us from being the best versions of ourselves. Is your declining health, the masking of undiagnosed ADHD? Is it perimenopause? Or can it be something as simple as high levels of CO₂ in your bedroom? Luckily, the solution can be as simple as ensuring the kids sleep in their beds and opening a window. The way I see it, this act of self-awareness and self-care is the best gift you can give your family and yourself -The gift of LOVE through quality “air”, the gift of a good night's rest.

P.S. Feel free to follow more wellness and home tips by following me @lacasa_chronicles Also please update me with your personal home findings or contact me for guidance. Happy hunting!

Lannette Guerra has a decade of experience working for large and small high-end residential firms, throughout Northern California. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture, a Bachelor of Arts, and is a LEED accredited professional. Before moving to California, she spent 4 years as an Exhibit Designer in Kansas City, MO.

She resides and virtually works for her current employer, from her home in San Rafael, CA. When she is not hyperfocused on work she enjoys hikes in the Marin headlands and couch cuddles with her family and furry friend. She is currently staying away from engaging in any new hobbies except for being a mentor & advocate of mental and physical well-being.

She is also a strong believer that the only way to build yourself to personal fulfillment and reach your true potential is to quiet the mind, eliminate distraction, and listen to what your heart has been telling you all along. Only then will you be able to see your authentic self reflected within your home, your soul, and in the workplace.