World Sleep Day 2026: Sleep, Asthma and Creating a Healthier Sleep Environment

Key takeaways

• World Sleep Day 2026 falls on Friday 13 March, and this year’s theme is “Sleep Well, Live Better”.

• Sleep and asthma are closely linked, and poor sleep can be a sign of poorly controlled asthma.

• Night-time symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath should not be ignored.

• Reducing indoor triggers in the bedroom can help create a more asthma and allergy friendly sleep environment.

• Daikin is a trusted partner of the Sensitive Choice program, with approved split systems and air purifiers designed to support healthier indoor air quality.

Why World Sleep Day Matters for Sleep Health and Asthma Awareness

Friday 13 March is World Sleep Day, a day hosted by the World Sleep Society to raise awareness about the importance of sleep health. This year’s theme is ‘sleep well, live better’. Good sleep is essential to overall health and wellbeing; it promotes wellness and resilience across all aspects of the body and mind. Sleep is just as important as nutrition and exercise.

This year, we are supporting the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program in raising awareness about the important connection between sleep and asthma. About 1 in 3 people with asthma have sleep disturbances – this is associated with worse asthma symptoms, poor quality of life and increased asthma-related healthcare utilisation.

How Asthma Can Affect Sleep Quality

Asthma symptoms can disrupt your sleep, and sleep disturbances can in turn affect asthma control and quality of life. This means that poor asthma control is linked to worsened sleep quality, whilst poor sleep quality can be a sign of poorly controlled asthma.

Night-Time Asthma Symptoms to Watch For

Experiencing any type of difficulty breathing when sleeping or waking up should not be ignored. People with asthma experience symptoms in different ways. Be aware if your sleep is being affected by any of the following:

• coughing

• wheezing

• shortness of breath

• chest tightness

  
  

Tips to Improve Asthma Control and Sleep

It’s time to make your sleep health a priority. If you experience any asthma symptoms during sleep or when waking up, this is a sign that your asthma is not well-controlled. Frequent night-time symptoms are an indicator of an increased risk of asthma flare-ups. It’s important not to accept night-time asthma symptoms as ‘normal’. Signs of well-controlled asthma include having no night-time asthma symptoms and no asthma symptoms when waking up.

Advice for improving asthma management:

• Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor and check that medications are not expired.

• Ensure that you are using your asthma inhalers correctly. Incorrect device technique may mean that the medications are trapped in your mouth or throat instead of reaching the airways where they are needed.

• Schedule an asthma check-up with your doctor. This is a great opportunity to ask about sleep when discussing your asthma symptoms and have your asthma action plan reviewed.

• Improve your sleep environment by minimising or removing common triggers for asthma and allergies such as dust mites, mould spores or pollen. Take the National Asthma Council Australia’s asthma control check to see if your asthma is well controlled.

  
  

Create a More Asthma and Allergy Friendly Home

A healthier sleep environment starts with reducing common indoor triggers and improving air quality where you sleep. For households looking to support better indoor comfort, Daikin offers split system air conditioning and air purifiers with Streamer Technology that are designed for home use. Daikin’s air purifiers are designed to capture, suppress and break down pollutants such as mould, pollen, allergens, odours and dust, while its split systems are built to heat or cool specific areas of the home.

Sensitive Choice Approved Products for a Healthier Home

The National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program helps people identify asthma and allergy friendly products. All products and services with the iconic Sensitive Choice blue butterfly have been rigorously reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel that determines their potential benefit to people with asthma and allergies.

Why Daikin Is a Trusted Sensitive Choice Partner

Daikin is a proud partner of the Sensitive Choice program, with Sensitive Choice approved split system air conditioners and air purifiers recognised as asthma and allergy friendly. Daikin’s split system air conditioners and air purifiers are approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice® program, and that its split systems are the only split systems that carry the blue butterfly symbol.

Daikin’s Streamer Technology is an advanced air purification system that removes odours and bacteria from indoor air and eliminates more than 99.6% of pollen, mould and allergens.

You can learn more about Daikin’s Sensitive Choice approved products, including approved split system air conditioners and air purifiers, and explore how they can help support a healthier home environment.

Turn World Sleep Day Awareness Into Action

World Sleep Day is a reminder that better sleep supports better health, and your sleep environment can play a part in that. If asthma or allergy triggers are affecting comfort at night, taking steps to improve indoor air quality at home can help support a healthier, more restful space.

Daikin’s Sensitive Choice approved split system air conditioners and air purifiers are designed to help create a cleaner, more comfortable home environment. If you’re ready to take the next step after World Sleep Day, you can choose the option that suits you:

• Request a quote to connect with a Daikin Specialist Dealer who can assess your home, recommend a suitable solution, and help you choose the right system for your needs.

• Find a dealer if you’d prefer to speak with a local Daikin air conditioning supplier about your options, get advice, or request a consultation.

  
  

FAQs

What is World Sleep Day?

World Sleep Day is a global awareness day led by the World Sleep Society to raise awareness about the importance of sleep health.

When is World Sleep Day 2026?

World Sleep Day 2026 is Friday 13 March.

Can asthma affect your sleep?

Yes. Asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness can disrupt sleep, and poor sleep can also be a sign that asthma is not well controlled.

How can Daikin help create a more asthma and allergy friendly home?

Daikin’s split system air conditioners and air purifiers are approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice® program. Daikin’s Streamer Technology is designed to target airborne irritants including pollen, mould and allergens, which can help support healthier indoor air quality.

Do air purifiers help with allergies and asthma triggers at home?

Air purifiers can help reduce airborne particles (like pollen and other allergens) depending on the product and the home set-up. Daikin air purifiers are designed to target airborne pollutants including allergens.