You may not believe it, but your home can actually have a big impact on your physical and mental health. It’s the space you probably spend the most time in, so it’s a good idea to make your home into a place that benefits your health rather than harming it.
Taking care of your health is important. You most likely already know that you need to eat well (with plenty of fruits and vegetables), exercise regularly (aim for 30 minutes a day), visit the dentist to take care of your teeth, and keep an eye on your mental wellbeing. However, making small changes to your home can also keep your body and mind in optimum condition. Read on to discover ways your home can impact your health.
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Lighting
Poor lighting can have numerous negative impacts on the mind and the body. For example, did you know that prolonged exposure to fluorescent lights can increase your chances of migraine, depression, and even certain types of cancer? Similarly, lighting that’s too dim can cause eye strain, and it can lead to mental health issues over time.
What You Can Do
To prevent these problems, it’s worth investing in good lighting. Avoid using harsh overhead lights in the evening by turning on a few lamps instead. You could also consider using a real Himalayan salt lamp; these have multiple health benefits and are thought to reduce stress levels.
During the day or at times when you need to focus on something, brighter lighting can be more effective and will prevent eye strain.
Natural light is the healthiest, so open the curtains and blinds and allow natural light to come into your home as often as you can.
Clutter
If you live in a home that’s messy and cluttered, you are probably exposing yourself to unnecessary stress. Studies have shown that clutter can lead to higher stress levels, problems focusing, and increased anxiety. Stress can then cause a number of other health problems, including ruining your teeth and gums. Some people might grind their teeth, for example.
Beyond these mental and physical health impacts, clutter can also become a haven for dust. Any objects that take up space on surfaces make those surfaces harder to clean, and they will collect dust and grime more easily. Breathing in too much dust can cause numerous respiratory problems, and if you suffer from a dust allergy, this could have serious implications, such as lung scarring.
What You Can Do
The easiest way to avoid clutter-related health problems is simply to declutter your home. Put objects you don’t need into storage or donate them to a thrift store. If you can’t bear to part with your beloved possessions, it’s essential that you keep everything clean and organized. In addition, it is important to ensure that the impact of the stress from having too much clutter won’t have any long-term impacts. For instance, you could visit bafdentistry.com for a checkup, dental cleaning, and necessary treatments if the stress has caused you to grind your teeth or has caused bleeding gums.
Harmful Chemicals
Even the “bones” of your house could be impacting your health. Most people have heard of the dangers of asbestos, and many properties built before the turn of the century could contain this carcinogenic mineral. Your home may also contain formaldehyde and lead, both of which can have incredibly dangerous effects on the body.
What You Can Do
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to deal with chemicals that have been built into the very structure of a property, but there are a couple of ways to address the situation. You should have your house surveyed before you undertake any home improvements. You should also clean up any paint chippings from lead paint as soon as you notice them.
Making your home into a healthy space will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, so it’s worth investing a little time and money into upgrading aspects of your home.