Taking care of yourself means taking care of your living environment. Here’s how to create a healthy, happy home that puts your health first–because you’re worth it.
When we think of wellness, taking mineral supplements and practicing meditation to ease our stress, comes to mind.
But like daily life, a home can also build you up, or make you sick. To make it a place that’s perfect for rejuvenating and thriving, check out these 9 tips for creating home wellness in your life:
1) Crack Down on Mold
As Mother Nature Network.com states, “You can’t mold-proof your home, but you can make it mold-resistant.” Give it your best shot.
Mold can cause asthma, skin irritations and more. Living with it could be making your immune system work in over drive, and generally zap your energy.
Start by fixing leaks- be it a problem in your windows, taps, walls or pipes. Don’t leave these things to fester. If moisture gets a chance to accumulate, mold could set in. Seal things up and it doesn’t have a chance.
Also make sure that you clean your gutters out regularly, so that water doesn’t get trapped and cause problems.
And if you’re renovating, install proper ventilation in your new rooms. If you live someplace humid, you might even invest in a dehumidifier and monitor the humidity in your house, to keep it between 30 and 60 percent. More than that, and you’re inviting trouble.
2) Train Yourself to Put Your Phone to Sleep
Sleep deprived? Who isn’t? It’s known that using a cell phone before you go to bed can make for a bad sleep. All that light from the screen tricks your brain.
But sleep is one of our most important assets. Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post has invented a solution for this, called the phone bed. Get one, or make one yourself, and put it on a table outside your bedroom.
Put your phone to sleep each night, and look forward to getting some consistent, quality shut-eye.
3) Reduce Dust and Pollen
Even if you aren’t allergic to dust, being in a cleaner environment can ease your mind. It makes for better breathing, better sleeping and better feelings, overall.
If it’s hard to find time to vacuum, keep it easy by investing in a robotic, self-running vacuum.
Related: Top 4 Tips to Reduce Food Waste at Home
Reader’s Digest recommends turning on the fan on your thermostat after you vacuum to filter out some of the dust stirred up by your vacuum, before it settles.
Vacuum once or twice a week, wash bedding frequently and keep your closets organized as well, to reduce dust. Little things count!
4) Build Your Outside Space
Having an amazing place to sit outside and enjoy mother nature is a big bonus. It can help when you want to Zen out and spend more time getting back to basics.
If you can invest in a backyard transformation, go for it.
Related: Activist Uses Plants to Provide Oxygen for his Home
If that’s off the budget, or there just isn’t the space, simply make the most of your balcony, or small backyard and reap the rewards.
5) Get Detectors and Check Them Often
We all know smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives. Get some good ones, keep them up to date and check them frequently. It will not only give you peace of mind, but it could save your life.
6) Check for Radon
Radon in your home can be cause for lung cancer. Many people have no radon hanging out in their air, but if you do, it’s a good idea to call in an expert to help you out.
Related: The Air in Your Home Could be Making You Fat
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms in the soil around any house from the natural decay of uranium. Get a kit to see if it’s in your home, and breath easy.
7) Clean Like Grandma
It can feel reassuring to clean with brand named cleanser, but they aren’t always the best for your health.
Clean with natural products like vinegar, lemon, water and essential oils. This will reduce your exposure to chemical toxins.
8) Love Scents? Brew Your Own
Studies have shown that scented candles may smell wonderful, but they might not be so good for your health. This doesn’t mean you need to tolerate a non-fragrant house though, (if this isn’t what you want).
Brew your own home scents with easy recipes, like this one.
9) Be Friend-Friendly
Last but not least, set up your house so it’s easy to host. You don’t have to give a massive dinner party every week, but having some friends in once a month can boost your spirit. Get some folding chairs if you don’t have enough seats. Touch base face-to-face over a potluck, a few beers or a coffee. Studies show that socializing is good for both your physical and mental health.
Keep the good vibes going.
Photo credit: Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock
