Health takes a very important place in our lives, and yet, we hardly practice healthy habits. Aside from making the conscious choice to order a salad when eating out with friends, or choosing to go for a sports night instead of a night out partying, there are ways to improve health and quality of living in nearly every room in the house. Much like what they say: it starts at home. There are aspects that are easy to miss, but worth taking the time to look at.
In the bedroom
This may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about health, but factors such as lighting and mattresses can have an impact on sleep health. Comparing mattresses before buying a new one is a great way to start; make sure to look into memory foam mattresses and what is best for the body before making a purchase. Pillows are important, while commercials and hotels might have you convinced you need the fluffiest pillows on the market, the opposite is true: low foam pillows are the best for your spinal health and will also improve blood flow.
While some might decorate their bedrooms with some leafy greens, take the time to research on which plants are most suitable. Some plants release unhealthy fumes at night and others will fight you for oxygen. You want your bedroom to be a place where your body and mind is able to relax.
A way to ensure that the bedroom is a relaxing place is to make sure nothing is being done in the bedroom but sleeping. This will relax the mind and make it easier to fall asleep at night without the distractions of the outside world.
In the kitchen
Refrain from grabbing frozen pizzas and chips at the store for backup on days when something quick is needed. If these are in the fridge or pantry, someone will eat them and the cycle will continue. This clearly doesn’t set up anyone for a healthy diet. Eliminate these junk foods from the house and people won’t eat them, it is as easy as that. Start out by throwing all the unhealthy junk in your house and stock up on healthy snacks – the reason junk food is so popular is because they are very accessible. There is zero prep time and all you need to do is open a bag and start chomping away. Replace chips with trail mixes and throw out desserts for some overnight oats. While the might be some prep time, it is a good way to learn about nutrition and what you are actually putting into your body. Sooner, rather than later, it will feel more interesting and less like a chore.
An article in Psychology Today outlines a story of the writer who was at a friend’s house. The friend only had food such as: pumpkin seeds, almond butter, Mountain Rose herbs and oatmeal in the pantry. This meant reaching for a healthy option was way more common than succumbing to the unhealthy clutches of junk food. This sounds like common sense. Eliminating junk food means it won’t get eaten. It is more difficult than it sounds, but it could lead to a massive change in a diet. Eliminating it in the home could create healthier habits and help kick aside the unhealthy cravings.
In the shower
It is essential to read up on the chemicals that can be in less expensive shamppos and conditioners. Thrillist discusses in an article that there can be Parabens in shampoo. Parabens can lead to organ toxicity and reproductive damage.
In the living room
Haven’t you ever heard of feng shui? The living room is one of the best places to practice this concept. It helps create a feeling of balance, which can lead to a better mental health state. Feng shui is the key to a happy home, according to the Telegraph.
In the garage
The garage might seem like the best place to put clutter, right? Wrong. Get rid of non-essential items instead of stacking them up in the garage. Odds are an item isn’t used enough to not be placed by a trash can, then it probably can be sold or donated. A garage should be a place for tools and cars with room to comfortably navigate.
Healthiness should start with the environment. These places all have an impact on well-being and shouldn’t be ignored. Home is where habits are made.
