Your Home is Making You Tired (and you don't even know it)

If you’re constantly feeling tired despite doing everything “right” with sleep and diet, your home environment might be the real culprit.

Here’s what I discovered about the 6 sneaky ways your space could be draining your energy…

1. Noise Pollution is Hijacking Your Nervous System

That constant hum from traffic outside? The TV murmuring in the background?

Your brain never truly switches off.

Even when you think you’ve tuned it out, your nervous system stays on high alert. It’s like having a smoke alarm with a dying battery—that annoying beep that keeps you on edge all day.

👉 FIX IT: Start with soft furnishings. Rugs and thick curtains make a big impact.

Turn off devices before bed and remove screens from your bedroom

Justyna Wasiluk-Ptaszyńska

They’ve added a curtain here to divide the kitchen and living area further. Sure, it’s mainly so they can close off and open up the living room as needed, but it also helps with soundproofing!

Photography by Simon Bevan (left) & Gotain (right)

On the left, they’ve anchored the dining table with a Persian rug. I’m not the biggest fan of rugs in the dining area, but they do look nice and help reduce echoes. Very much needed in a room dominated by hard surfaces like terracotta tiles.

On the right, they’ve added double curtains. A sheer roman blind with thick bouclé drapes layered on top. Thick fabrics like this are a great way to add an extra layer of soundproofing from the outside world.

2. Your Lighting is Confusing Your Body Clock

Too harsh or too dim lighting can confuse your body’s internal clock, which makes it hard to relax or stay alert.

👉 FIX IT: Install dimmer switches or use smart bulbs (Philips Hue bulbs are popular). Switch to warm lighting in the evening (2700K) to signal bedtime. Use lamps instead of bright overhead lights for a cosier atmosphere.

Better yet? Ditch the overhead lights entirely after sunset. Use table lamps and floor lamps to create pools of soft light at different heights. Your space will feel cosier, and your brain will start winding down naturally.

Tobyshome (left) & Pooky (right)

3. Clutter is Overloading Your Brain

Every pile of papers, every random object without a home…

It’s all taking up mental bandwidth.

Your brain processes everything in your environment, even when you’re not consciously looking at it. Clutter creates a constant low-level stress that you feel but can’t quite identify.

👉 FIX IT: Start small. One drawer this week. One shelf next week. Don't try to tackle everything at once.

Photo by Jacqui Turk

If you’re dealing with kids’ toys or everyday items that seem to multiply overnight, invest in custom (or ready-made) storage solutions. Even a simple bench with built-in storage can hide chaos while creating clean lines.

4. Poor Air Quality

Stuffy air equals a foggy brain.

Poor ventilation can trigger headaches and that inexplicable tiredness that creeps in during the afternoon.

👉 FIX IT: Open windows daily, even for just 10 minutes. Fresh air circulation makes a massive difference.

Consider a HEPA-rated air purifier if you don’t have that luxury.

Photography by Greg Cox

I realise that this is a luxury villa and your own home probably doesn’t look like this, but the architect’s design is brilliant.

The seamless flow from open-plan living spaces to outdoor areas, facilitated by expansive bi-fold doors, not only floods the home with natural light but also ensures excellent ventilation.

5. Unfinished Projects are Mental Energy Vampires

Every unfinished project acts like a nagging reminder in the background.

It triggers guilt and mental fatigue without you realizing it.

👉 FIX IT: Make a list of everything that’s half-done. Then decide: complete it, delegate it, or ditch it entirely. Schedule specific times to tackle these projects.

Your mental energy is finite. Stop letting unfinished tasks steal it.

6. You’re Living in a Cave (And Your Mood Knows It)

Without enough sunlight, your mood will dip, and energy will tank. It’s a lot like Seasonal Affective Disorder.

I learned this the hard way years ago when I worked from a windowless corner for three months. My productivity plummeted, and I couldn’t figure out why.

👉 FIX IT: Move your workspace near a window. Keep blinds and curtains open during the day, and use sheer treatments if you need privacy but want light

Use mirrors to bounce light around.

And most importantly: Get more lamps (plus smart bulbs if you want to simulate daylight during the day).

Photography by Chris Cox

Your home should energize you, not drain you.

Every element in your space, from the lighting to the layout, either supports your well-being or works against it.

Small changes compound.

Fix one thing this week, another next week, and you’ll be amazed how much better you feel at home.

👇 If you’re craving comfort but can’t put your finger on what’s missing, check out my video all about it below.

Cheers,
Reynard