When you think of health, it often comes to mind food choices and exercise. But a healthy home environment can also play a significant role in your overall health and wellness.
A recent study used concept mapping to explore perceptions of what makes a healthy living environment and how people perceive it. Using this method, researchers uncovered ten keys to help make your home healthier and more comfortable.
Keep it Clean
Keeping your home clean is critical for your physical and mental health. A clean environment helps you breathe easier, alleviates allergies and reduces the likelihood of fire hazards.
It also promotes good hygiene and encourages your family to live a healthy lifestyle. Cleaning your house regularly lowers the amount of dust mites, one of the leading causes of allergies.
In addition, a tidy home encourages better concentration and makes it easier to get things done. It also reduces clutter, which could be a source of anxiety and depression.
Making your home a clean and healthy living space is easy to do by following some simple tips. A tidy home is a place where you can unwind and relax after a long day.
Ventilate
Ventilation is a vital part of keeping your home healthy and comfortable. Not only does it help reduce the amount of moisture in the air, it also helps keep hay fever and asthma at bay.
A poorly ventilated home can also be a breeding ground for mold, which can be an extremely dangerous contaminant to both your health and the structure of your home.
When it comes to ventilation, there is no single best way to do it, but there are many options that are worth considering.
A good ventilation system is the most important thing you can do to keep your family healthy, happy and safe at home. By properly venting your home, you can ensure the highest quality air for everyone to enjoy. You can do this by installing a ventilation system, using fans and other techniques that help circulate the air around your home. The experts at American Restoration will help you find the right system for your home.
Reduce Noise
Noise pollution can lead to many health problems such as deterioration of sleep, stress and anxiety, high blood pressure, depression, tinnitus, headaches, and fatigue. Chronic noise exposure can also negatively impact the cognitive development of children and impede work productivity among employees.
Sound waves travel by bouncing from one surface to another and the more uncovered or hard surfaces in your home, the more potential for this to happen.
Adding surfaces that absorb sound before it reaches your ears, or blocking it entirely, are some helpful design solutions to consider. Acoustic paneling can be a great way to accomplish this in new-build homes. Alternatively, adding bookcases, even half-full, against the walls can reduce echoes in open floor plans.
Plants
Adding a few plants to your home can help improve your overall health. They can increase air quality, filter pollutants, provide physical healing benefits and reduce noise pollution.
Plants can also improve your mood. Studies have shown that people who are exposed to indoor plants report a decrease in stress and depression, as well as an increase in concentration.
Additionally, plants can help you sleep better. They release oxygen in the night, which can help you breathe more deeply and improve your quality of sleep.
If you have trouble getting a good night’s rest, try putting a plant by your bed. For instance, snake plants, orchids, and aloe vera produce a sweet scent that can relax you.
Other plants, such as peace lilies and philodendrons, absorb indoor air pollutants. This is a great way to keep your air clean without having to worry about it.