Most of us spend a lot of time indoors so it’s important we take a close look at our environments.
The air we breathe is vital to our health. Unfortunately paint, curtains, carpets and furniture can contain fumes that get emitted into the air over time. This is called off gassing. My recommendation is to open your windows on mild days (when the allergen count is low) to get fresh air in and stale air out.
Having some air cleaning plants is also wise. English Ivy, Peace Lily, Spider Plant, Golden Pothos and Boston Ferns are some good choices. Electronic air cleaners are available but in my experience it is just one more item to maintain.
When it’s time for a break, a step outside for some fresh air and sunshine or taking a quick walk is ideal…assuming your outdoor air quality is fairly clean and free of factory output.
Besides healthy air we need healthy water. The water from the tap is full of fluoride and believe it or not, a small amount of Pharmaceutical drugs according to studies. Fluoride has a list of health consequences that are being studied such as Skeletal Fluorosis, lower IQ, Arthritis, Thyroid function and more. In fact fluoride is not a vitamin or mineral our bodies need. Our family says, “No, thank you” to fluoride treatments at the dentist and seeks fluoride free toothpaste.
The experts do not agree on what kind of water is healthiest…spring or distilled. Either is better than tap water. But, to save money and the environment (think of all the plastic!), I believe a water filter is a wise investment. We use a Berkey water filter which contains both charcoal and fluoride filters. There are filtering options for sink and refrigerators as well.
The microwave is convenient. But, please DO NOT cover your food with plastic wrap or use plastic containers while heating up a meal. Plastics contain BPA and Phthalates which can damage the thyroid, effect hormones, promote disease and have a negative effect on growing babies and children. Paper and glass are best. And, I prefer to bake potatoes in a Crockpot instead of in the oven with aluminum foil, a link to Alzheimer’s.
The internet has been a game changer for society. But, routers do emit Electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) which can be very harmful to our health. Please consider making sure the internet router is at least 10 ft away from your desk or popular spot in the house. The EMF’s can travel through walls so keep this in mind regarding bedrooms as well. At night we unplug our internet router.
Part of having a healthy environment is keeping it clean which brings me to cleaning agents. There are so many healthy alternatives instead of the toxic chemicals being sold in spray bottles. The list of toxins and their effects on the body are much too long for this column.
Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, essential oil cleaners and more can all be used to get your space squeaky clean. If there is anyone with a suppressed immune system a more intense plan would be needed to maintain a germ free spot.
There are healthier laundry detergents, dish soaps and cleaning agents available right here at our local big box retailer. There aren’t many so you have to look close. Sure, they may not have the great (artificial) scent that we associate with clean but you can feel good knowing you are protecting yourself and family from toxins.
And dryer sheets…I hate to be the one to tell you this, mainly because I love the way they smell so much, but they are some of the most toxic items you can use. (search: Dr. Mercola safe-solution-fabric-softeners)
These ideas are a fantastic place to start for any individual or family but especially those with Asthma, people with sensitive skin, Sensory Processing Disorder and chronic disease to name a few. These tips are fairly simple and can be applied to classroom, home and office to help keep our environments healthy! Remember, one step at a time.
Brooke DeLong, N.D.
