Ways To Foster A Healthier Home Environment
Considering that our homes are the most significant places where we live our lives, it should be no surprise that pollutants may strongly influence our well-being in our homes. If you lack daily energy, you may be overdue for cleaning out your home of excess belongings.
In addition, your efforts at a cleaner home may do more harm than good. Everyday household products, such as bleach or air freshener, may worsen the air quality of your home and even contribute to aggravating allergies. Taking concrete steps towards a healthier body and mind begins where you should feel most comfortable.
- Consider your respiratory health and the air you breathe.
There's nothing quite like waking up your senses by breathing in fresh, clean air; maintaining proper air circulation through open windows in your home can prevent pollutants from gathering. However, an air purifier is an excellent alternative if you reside in a location susceptible to air pollution, such as congested city streets.
In addition, you may also spruce up your home with houseplants, which add a touch of style and provide a range of health benefits. For example, they foster a more oxygen-rich environment, naturally filter pollutants from the air, and act as humidifiers that can improve respiratory problems caused by dry air.
- Carefully inspect the ingredients in your household products.
Heavy-duty products, such as bathroom or kitchen spray cleaners, contain hazardous chemicals, irritate your breathing and eyesight, or even cause skin rashes or burns. In addition, according to studies, cancer is a leading risk factor due to chronic exposure to these toxins. Thankfully, natural ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils can act as replacements in household products, which don't pose the risk of adverse health effects.
- Be mindful of sleep disturbances.
Disruptive light and external noise can lead to a poor sleep schedule by affecting your quality of sleep, which may result in being overweight, less resilience to stress, and poor energy levels. If need be, you can also adjust light and noise-emitting devices in your bedroom at night to lower, less disruptive levels. For example, this can include night lights and fans.
- Create and use a sanctuary space within your home.
A home filled with anxiety and stress triggers will undoubtedly not foster a healthy sense of self, especially when you arrive from one unpleasant environment, such as work, to another at home. One example would be upgrading your bathroom to a miniature spa treatment or using your bedroom as a nightly place for live discussions with health and wellness support groups. You may even set up your backyard as a garden to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Not only can these sanctuaries act as incentives to be more mindful of your mental health, but they can also be the starting points of new hobbies.