“Water and air, the 2 essential fluids on which all life depends have become global garbage cans” Jacques Cousteau

We wake up relaxed and refreshed in our comfortable bed at home, drive our car to work or catch the train, spend the morning in the office, have lunch at a shopping centre, back to the office for another 4 hours, followed by the train home or back to our car. We then go to the yoga studio or the gym after work and then back home indoors at night. Sound familiar? Some people spend up to 90% of their lives indoors! We often think about healthy living by things we can do; trying the latest and greatest ‘green drink’ (that may or may not taste good…), cutting down on alcohol, journaling away our stressors or taking a complex nutritional supplement, but what if it was simpler than that? We’ve seen pictures of smog and pollution from major cities around the world so it makes sense that poor air quality can threaten our health. Research has shown that breathing in contaminated air can contribute towards fatigue, headaches, asthma, allergies and deterioration of the lungs, heart and brain. Those living in urbanised areas are at greatest risk from poor air quality and most of the time, it’s actually the air inside our homes that can be more polluted than the air outside. See below our simple suggestions to improve the air quality of your home:

1. Bring the outside inside – whether at home or at the office, any room looks better with a bit of greenery and indoor plants act as natural air purifiers.
2. Say NO to synthetic fragrances and artificial air fresheners – Synthetic fragrances are contained in many laundry products, hand soaps and cleaning goods. These products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are a variety of organic chemicals that are released as gases from certain solids or liquids and harmful to our health. Plus, phthalates are often used in these types of products and fragrances, and pthalates are also used to soften plastics. Research has shown a strong link between the use of phthalates and a disruption of hormones in the body.
3. Open a window – yes, stating the obvious, we know! Even if you’re not sure of the air quality outside, opening a window for 5-10 minutes twice daily can improve the quality of air inside.
4. Keep humidity between 30 and 50% – mould and dust mites survive and thrive in damp conditions. It’s easy to track humidity levels with a dehumidifier and there are a range of units available for every price range. If humidity is a problem in your home, use a dehumidifier unit to control moisture and allergens.
5. The healthy and happy home – generally, you won’t be able to see them, but the mites contained within dust can cause havoc on people with allergies, and without.
   1. Use large doormats at all the doorways to prevent dirt from entering your home.
   2. Invest in a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, which is capable of suctioning up dust, dirt and small irritants.
   3. Wash your bedsheets and kitchen cloths in 60 degree+ hot water weekly
6. If you have pets – get them groomed regularly.
7. Get outside – make it a habit to spend more time in nature, every day. Have lunch outdoors, go for a walk after dinner, and pack a picnic on the weekend instead of eating out. You’ll be calmer, your brain will be sharper, and your wallet will be happy and full because of it!