Living comfortably is more than just adding new decor and decluttering. There are other factors to take into account as well, like indoor air quality. The quality of air inside your home has a bigger impact than you might realize, and you may not even realize how it's impacting you until you start investigating. Here's how you can improve your indoor air quality in a few simple steps.

There’s more to breathing in fresh air that meets the eye. In fact, did you know that about 20 percent of fresh air plays a huge role in how our brains function? It can help you focus better, concentrate more easily and think more clearly. Here’s a list of some of the other benefits of fresh air:

• It can promote the release of serotonin, which is a hormone that affects our mood.

• It may reduce the risk of contracting an airborne illness.

• It could help with diaphragmatic breathing, which makes it easier for your body to get rid of any airborne toxins.

Now that you have a better understanding of what fresh air can really do, it’s time to get into how you can improve your indoor air quality. The first thing to note is that in order to keep fresh air in your home, you need to follow simple tips to keep it clean. You’d be surprised how the quality of your living environment affects the air you breathe in. The carpet, for example, is something that houses a lot of contaminants. Dirt, dust and pet dander are just to name a few. While these contaminants will never be completely gone, you can significantly reduce the amount by keeping your home clean.

You can use any vacuum you choose, but it’s important to use one that has a HEPA air filter installed. These are more effective than any other standard filter and can trap more air pollutants that get caught in the fibers. You should also routinely wash anything that can harbor allergens, like rugs, pet bedding, blankets, pillows and curtains.

A great yet simple way to improve indoor air quality is to open your windows and back doors if you have them. The air from outside can push the allergens lingering in the air away. This method becomes more efficient through the use of fans. Whether you choose to have a desktop or portable vaporizer, these devices boil water and emit steam that cleanses the air of bacteria. Vaporizers allow you to infuse your home with dry herbs and enjoy their benefits without having to burn or smoke them directly.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that can enter your home through miniscule cracks or holes. According to the EPA, radon is a leading cause of lung cancer. You can either test for radon yourself with a test kit or contact a professional to do it for you. Higher-than-average radon levels do not cause immediate symptoms, and the only way to know your home has them is to perform a test. Basements tend to have the highest readings, so you may want to start there.