Winter can often times feel like a long collective yawn. Shorter and darker days, colder weather, and cozy warm blankets make everyone just a little sleepier. But what if your constant state of sleepiness, or “winter fatigue” isn’t just about the snowy season?
Many people don’t realize that indoor mold growth, especially the types that thrive in enclosed and poorly ventilated spaces, can significantly impact energy levels, cognitive clarity, and general well-being. Since winter causes Canadians to spend up to 90% of their day indoors, symptoms that are subtle in spring and summer suddenly become difficult to ignore.
Let’s dive deeper into why mold is such a major, and often overlooked, contributor to fatigue, what signs to look out for, and how to protect your indoor environment during the long winter months.
Cold weather doesn’t eliminate mold; it can actually encourage it. Here are some ways how:
When moisture lingers in a warm environment, mold can quietly grow behind walls, under floors, in attics, crawlspaces and even around window frames.
While some individuals may experience the classic mold symptoms such as congestion and coughing, others may notice only one thing: that they’re exhausted.
The short answer is yes; mold can absolutely make you tired. But the ‘why’ is the part people don’t often know.
When mold releases spores and mycotoxins into indoor air, your immune system treats this like an invader (similar to catching a cold or flu).
This is the kind of tiredness that can’t be easily solved with a nap because the problem has to do with your lived-in environment.
Winter is a time to naturally slow down, but mold related fatigue shows up differently. To help tell the difference, ask yourself the following:
Basements, bathrooms, and bedrooms are common hotspots for mold growth.
Night after night of poor-quality sleep may be a sign of poor indoor air quality.
Mold fatigue is often paired with the some of these common symptoms:
You don’t need a visible mold problem to experience these effects, as many problems persist behind walls and under flooring. So, the next question naturally would be where do you look for the source of the problem?
Cold foundation walls and indoor heat can lead to an increase in condensation. Add tightly packed stored items, carpets, or old insulation, and it’s the perfect environment for mold growth.
Hot showers and cold tiles in bathrooms can result in moisture lingering on walls, leading to the perfect place for mold to thrive.
Cold windows and warm indoor air can cause condensation that drips onto wood and drywall, feeding mold all season long.
Improper ventilation in attics during the winter can lead to frost; that then melts during freeze-thaw cycles, resulting in mold growth you’ll never see, but affects you all the same.
Dust that accumulates over the year, especially if not regularly maintained, can be a source of food for mold spores in furnace and duct systems. These spores are then spread throughout the home when your heating is on, aggravating fatigue and respiratory symptoms.
Here are some tips to reclaim your energy this winter:
If you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue and can’t locate the source yourself, a certified inspector can assess your indoor environment, identify any hidden moisture/water problems, and conduct air/surface testing. Contact the got mold?™ indoor air quality specialists if:
Fatigue is easy to blame on the season, but your indoor environment may be quietly working against you. With Canadians spending nearly all their time indoors through the colder months, mold exposure becomes more concentrated, and its effects more noticeable.
If this winter feels heavier, sleepier, or more draining than usual, it’s worth exploring whether indoor mold is contributing to your “winter slump.” The sooner the issue is identified, the quicker you can get back to clearer thinking, fresher air, and waking up feeling rested.
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