The new year is the perfect time to make your home healthier. Here are five simple tips that will help you create a fresher, healthier, and altogether happier place to live in 2015.
Let the light in
It can be tempting in the drab winter months to close the curtains and curl up on the sofa with your favourite TV box set. Unfortunately, a lack of natural light can lead to irritability, headaches, and even sleep disturbances. So make the most of the short daylight hours by sitting near a window when possible, or invest in a special lamp that replicates sunlight.
Improve your air quality
With the windows closed and heating on, the air in your home can become stuffy and unpleasant. Even worse, excess humidity can lead to mould growth and trigger allergies and colds. The best way to combat this is to get a dehumidifier, a handy gizmo that removes excess moisture from circulating air. Your home will feel fresher and you will feel healthier too.
Bust the dust
Dust isn't just unsightly, it's a health hazard too. Not only does it exacerbate allergies, micro-particles of dangerous compounds such as lead, toxic cleaning products, and pesticides can concentrate in dust deposits. The best defence is a good offence, so try to vacuum twice per week, and get a duster for those hard to reach nooks and crannies.
Hurrah for hand sanitiser
Everyone knows they should wash their hands after using the bathroom, but few people are aware of the importance of regular hand washing when at home. From door handles to food preparation surfaces, there are many places in your home that harbour microbes with the potential to cause illness. Try placing a few bottles of squeezable hand gel around your home, in easy to spot places as a reminder of the importance of proper hand hygiene.
Ditch the sofa
You come home from work, do your chores, eat a (healthy!) dinner, and then what? Veg out on the sofa of course! Unfortunately, barely a week passes without the publication of a new study on the health risks of excessive sitting. It's bad for your posture, bad for your heart and blood pressure, bad for your spine, and causes a host of other issues. Try replacing your sofa for a few hours a day with a more upright type of seating to improve your posture, and take regular walking breaks to keep your heart happy.
That's interesting advice, do you not have a sofa? What do you have instead? I rarely sit on our sofa because I work from home so don't benefit from traditional vegging time but would be interested in knowing the alternative if it's better for posture.x
ReplyDeleteGreta advice. I seem to be forever dusting recently.
ReplyDeleteRubi | The Den | http://www.the-den.blogspot.com
There's a lot to be said for letting light in. As soon as I get up in the morning I have to open every single curtain and hope for sun! x
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