Easy Ways to Make Your Home a Healthier Place

We like to think about our homes as safe havens, places where we can sit back, revitalize, and relax. However, we tend to overlook a variety of elements that potentially undermine our health. Unclean and unkempt homes are ridden with problems alright, but even a tidy abode can conceal risks and dangers. So, it is high time to realize how our environment impacts our physical and mental well-being. Armed with knowledge and awareness, you can employ many easy tweaks and updates to turn the situation around.

Start with a clean slate

To set the stage for good health to take hold, give your home a clean swipe. When the dust piles up, you become exposed to dust mites and that can lead to serious health issues like allergies and asthma. So, do the chores on a regular basis. Vacuum every week, putting special focus on surfaces like rugs and upholstered furniture. Change your bedding and pillowcases often. Remember, though, that cleaning does not banish all the germs from your home, meaning that there is much more ground to cover.

The key step towards safety is making sure the air you breathe is clean. Indoor air pollution can be five to 12 times worse than the one outdoors, which poses a significant health risk. So, try to foster natural ventilation around the home — open your windows every now and then. Moreover, to improve the air quality further, invest in an air purifier. You can check out brands like Mor to get scented candles made from non-toxic materials and add some pleasant smells to the mix.

War on humidity

While you are at it, inspect your home for mold. This household peril causes everything from coughing and wheezing to rashes and chronic fatigue. To deal with it, you need to deny it the hospitality of its main ally and guardian, high humidity. Purchase a moisture meter at a hardware store and see where you stand. To get the moisture level under control, examine your plumbing and fix any leaks and drips. Calibrate and vent your space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and gas logs properly.

Test the waters

Next, turn your attention to water safety. If you consume it directly from the tap, you need to check whether it is contaminated. Local water companies filter tap water, but it is not uncommon for some contaminants like chlorine, lead, and E. coli to slip through the cracks. To steer away from these menaces, conduct a test and install a water filter to your faucet if need be. Also, consider adding a pitcher to your fridge.

Control the lighting

Natural lighting and fresh air are a rejuvenating health-boosting presence you should maximize in your living environment. However, there is a flipside to it. Light pollution can disrupt your sleep patterns and hamper your health. Thus, block out the unwanted light using shades, curtains, or eye masks. Dim the light when you need to unwind and chill out. Limit the “blue” light exposure originating from electronic devices, especially in the evening.

Pick household products carefully

The products you bring into your home can either mitigate or aggravate the problem. Therefore, make conscious purchase choices. Ditch chemical pesticides and harsh, chemical-based cleaners. Instead, take advantage of DIY and natural cleaning solutions, such as baking soda, borax, vinegar, and lemon. Likewise, stick to non-toxic products like paints that contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and furniture that is free from poisonous flame retardants.

Nature’s embrace

Finally, try to bring the outdoors in as much as possible. Household plants are natural air filters that remove pollutants and enhance the air quality. Some of the best plants in this regard are English ivy, asparagus fern, and variegated wax. To go an extra green mile, you can plant a small garden on your balcony. Urban gardening is a breath of fresh air shifting urban landscapes and it can help you enrich your nutrition with fresh, wholesome produce.

In the clear

If you want to gain a peace of mind and make a positive change in your home, pay close attention to the role your everyday habits and choices play. After all, your living environment has a major bearing on how you feel and determines the state of your body and mind. So, get rid of chemicals and summon the children of Mother Nature. Keep toxins and germs outside of your home. Manage the air and water quality, as well as the lighting exposure. You will be able to reap opulent benefits and preserve your long-term health and well-being.