6 Ways to Make Your Home a Healthier Place
Improving one’s health consists of a variety of factors. Diet and exercise are, of course, the primary things you have to change. But it doesn’t and shouldn’t stop there. There are many other things that affect our overall health, like our stress levels.
Another important but often overlooked factor that affects our health is the environment. And while we can’t change too much about the other places we go to, like our workplace or public spaces like malls and restaurants, we can certainly make one place so much healthier: our homes. Here are a few simple tips to make your home a healthier place to live in.
Keep it Clean
This is a no-brainer: a clean home is a healthy home. There are some simple things you can do every day, like giving the floor a quick sweep with a broom, wiping down counters and sinks, and washing the dishes so they don’t pile up. Once a month or perhaps once every two months, however, you should schedule your house for a deep, top-to-bottom cleaning. This includes the spaces under appliances such as the washing machine and refrigerator and giving these appliances a thorough cleaning as well.
You should also take this as an opportunity to inspect for things that need repairs or replacements. The gasket of the fridge, for example, or leaky faucets if there are any. You might also find things like mold infestations, which need immediate attention lest they cause health problems.
Install a Water Fountain
There are a lot of things floating around in the air, called fine particulate matter, which can cause adverse health effects such as allergies, respiratory problems, and even heart disease. Air purifiers can help filter out these particulates and ensure that you are breathing clean air.
You can augment the effect of air purifiers by installing an indoor water fountain since the moving water helps attract dust. Water fountains also act as humidifiers, which can help combat the effects of dry air including sinus and throat irritations, and dry skin and eyes. Indoor water fountains also have the added bonus of providing a soothing ambient sound, which can be quite helpful when you want to relax.
Avoid Insecticide Sprays
If you have a pest problem, it’s better to check first if there is some physical solution that you can do to solve it. Are there cracks on your floors or walls that you can seal off? Maybe your kitchen needs some cleaning up, or your bathroom has a constant puddle that leads to molds and attracts rats and other insects. If you’ve already done all you can but the pests are still there, opt for non-spray pesticides such as gels or traps so the chemicals won’t get mixed with the air your breathe.
Alternatively, you can also use all-natural, organic pesticides, although do note that they are more suited for milder cases and smaller pests like mosquitoes or flies. For bigger infestations, there may really be a need for heavy-duty pesticides.
Darken or Lighten Up the Place
Believe it or not, there is such a thing called light pollution and it can significantly affect the quality of your sleep, which can lead to various health problems. If you live somewhere with a constant source of bright lights, such as in a busy metropolis, invest on heavier window treatments (drapes or shades, instead of curtains) or use an eye mask when you sleep to block the light.
On the other hand, living in a dark space can affect your mood and cause eye strain and headaches after prolonged exposure. Open up your windows, install some soft lighting that mimics sunlight, or use lighter-colored paint. Using mirrors and other reflective accessories may also help brighten up a dark space.
Use Glass Containers to Store Food
Glass doesn’t leak toxic chemicals into your food, unlike some plastics. What’s more, glass doesn’t lose theirs after so many washings.
Ditch Non-Stick Pots and Pans
Non-stick cookware uses synthetic materials to make the surfaces non-stick. These materials can leach into your food, especially when handled improperly during cooking and washing. Opt for stainless steel, glass, or cast iron cookware instead.
Your home is your haven, where you can rest, relax, and enjoy. But more than that, it should also be somewhere you can feel safe and be able to take care of your health. Hopefully, these simple tips can help make your home such a place!
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