Our homes are supposed to be our sanctuaries. However, sometimes home can present certain health risks that we aren’t always keenly aware of. The following are some of the areas in which many homes can present common risks that can be mitigated with a little awareness and action.
1. Cabinets full of empty calories
One attribute of many homes today that is not healthy is a pantry or cabinets that are full of empty calories. Empty calories and processed foods are typically full of sugars and other ingredients that are very unhealthy. The best way to avoid this issue is by avoiding purchasing these types of foods and focusing more on healthy, perishable foods when grocery shopping.
For many, though, the idea of completely abandoning these types of foods is a bit too much or simply not possible. If this sounds like you, it can be very helpful to then pre-portion these types of foods into individual containers or bags. With each container holding just one serving, it can become much easier to engage in much healthier portion control with regard to empty calorie and other unhealthy foods.
2. Too much light in the bedroom
Lighting is a significant factor in how the human sleep cycle works, and adequate sleep is one of the most important elements of being healthy overall. As such, it’s important to avoid excess light in the bedroom when it’s time to rest. Night lights, televisions, room lights, and even computer screens and cell phones can all have a very real and adverse effect on sleep cycles. Many bedrooms are loaded with these kinds of light-producing items, and shutting them down at bedtime can have a significant impact on sleep quality and overall health.
3. Too many gadgets
As covered above, many gadgets can have an impact on sleep, but they also tend to have an impact on other areas of mental and physical health. Many studies have been administered on this subject, and it’s often found that an overabundance of gadgets can impact social activity, physical activity, mental activity, and more. If your home is full of tech gadgets or you otherwise find yourself spending lots of time stuck to a cell phone or other gadgets, it’s likely that some areas of your health may be suffering as a result.
4. Not enough light in the morning
Back to the subject of light, in addition to having a powerful effect on sleep, lighting also has a powerful effect on wakefulness and food cravings in the morning. Studies on this subject have found that dim light in the morning actually reduces the body’s output of leptin. Leptin is a mood and hunger regulator, and when it is lower than it should be, cravings for junk food and less-than-ideal feelings and moods can greatly increase.
5. Presence of mold or mildew
Finally, the presence of mold or mildew in a home is very bad for respiratory health and other systems in the body as well. While we usually can detect the growth of these by way of smell, they are often found growing around the home without anyone even being aware. To avoid this major health concern, it’s best to take a periodic look around areas that commonly generate moisture such as plumbing under sinks, refrigerators, and even windows and planter pots.
