Do basements cause depression?

“There is often less natural light in basement dwellings, which can lead to feeling depressed,” says Sinclair Kruth. “A lack of natural light can also lead to difficulty sleeping and disrupted sleep-wake cycles, which can lead to feeling fatigued but not able to rest properly.

Does living in a basement affect your health?

Hazards commonly found in basements include toxic chemicals, pests, mold, indoor air quality issues (such as dangerous gases) and fire hazards that can affect all rooms of the home.

Can houses make you depressed?

A study published in thePersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that people who describe their homes as cluttered or unfinished experience an increase in depressed mood over the course of the day.

Why you shouldn't live in a basement apartment?

Airborne spores can cause mold to grow in damp and unventilated areas, such as basements. Presence of mold can lead to "respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma", as well as personal belongings being contaminated by mold.

How do I make my basement apartment less depressing?

#1.

Painting your walls either white or a light color will help make a basement look lighter and brighter. While light colored walls won't chase away all the gloom, they will go a long way in lightening up the overall room and give you the start you need on your overall room lighting plan.

The one factor causing depression and anxiety in the workplace | Johann Hari | Big Think

How can I enjoy living in my basement?

How can I live better in my basement?

Is it healthy to sleep in a basement?

“Basements are often damp, and moisture and mold go hand-in-hand,” says Robert Weitz, a certified microbial investigator and founder of RTK Environmental. “Mold and poor indoor air quality have been known to trigger allergies that cause coughs and headaches, as well as irritations to the nose, skin, and eyes.

Should you open windows in basement?

Always Shut Basement Windows

It could mean downtime and disruption to your normal life. Moisture buildup can also damage your floor covering and insulation. Your air conditioner will suck this moist air through the subfloor. When this air gets into the rest of the house, it will warp your wood floors too.

Do basements always smell musty?

Basements are the perfect breeding ground for a mold or mildew problem, creating a musty smell that can be hard to get rid of. As some or all of your basement walls are built underground, the cold, moist soil surrounding the walls leeches moisture into the basement.

Can changing your environment help depression?

Your home and work environment can: Influence your mood. For example, research studies reveal that rooms with bright light, both natural and artificial, can improve depression and anxiety.

Does sitting in a dark room cause depression?

Sleeping in rooms with even a little light can increase risk of depression: Study. The study found that even a little lighting can increase the risk of depression.

Can your house affect your mental health?

Research has shown that your environment can have a strong impact on your mental health. So, it's important to make sure your home is a place where you feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed. But, that can often be easier said than done.

Is my basement making me sick?

Basement air naturally rises, and your home's ductwork system helps facilitate that movement. As a result, you and your family may be susceptible to Sick Building Syndrome, a medical condition where people in a building suffer from symptoms of illness or feel unwell for no apparent reason.

What are the pros and cons of having a basement?

Is it OK to have a bedroom in the basement?

In short, yes. You can use your basement as a bedroom, but you have to ensure that it complies with the proper building codes. Basement living spaces require an emergency exit and rescue openings, also known as an egress code.

Should you keep basement door closed?

Closing the door is the best option for a uninsulated basement that becomes as cold as the air and ground outdoors. With the door open, the house's main-level thermostat will sense the drop in temperature as the cool air from the basement circulates throughout the house.

Should I run a fan in my basement?

Using a fan in the basement in the summer is not advised since it may draw in the air from the rest of the house and outdoors and create more humidity (see Reference 1). A heater used in the summer would only make the basement hotter and cause more condensation once it is shut off.

What happens if you never open your windows?

Not only can keeping openings closed cause condensation issues inside your house (i.e. weeping windows), which we know can lead to mould, it also allows toxins already inside the home to build up. That includes volatile organic compounds, mold spores, dust, smoke, radon, viruses and bacteria.

How do I purify the air in my basement?

Are you wondering how to improve air quality in the basement? There are several ways. Use an air purifier, dry the moisture out, keep windows closed, seal cracks and gaps, remove VOC's, test for radon, and monitor carbon monoxide.

Why do I get dizzy in my basement?

Carbon Monoxide

This gas can then seep into the rest of the house, where it can create health problems and a dangerous risk of fire. Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible and may not be noticed until occupants experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headache, dizziness, or loss of judgment.

Why does my nose get stuffy in the basement?

Mold is found everywhere -- outdoors on leaves and rotting wood, and indoors in damp basements and bathrooms. So mold allergies and allergy symptoms can happen year-round. The symptoms are similar to those of other nasal allergies -- sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

Do basement apartments have more bugs?

One of the most significant is the increased incidence of insect problems. Because a basement typically lacks natural light and provides a moist environment, it is an ideal home for many types of bugs, including roaches, spiders, crickets and sow bugs.

What is a Yankee basement?

They call it a “Yankee basement” or, well, sometimes a “root cellar,” where basically you take the interior perimeter of the foundation wall, move in about 2½, 3 feet and then dig down there. So you leave this sort of berm of soil to support the foundation that's under the footing.

How do you make a basement cozy?