Breathing Clean by Getting Green

Are you not feeling as vibrant as you could? As the snow melts and flowers bloom, allergens could be putting your health at risk, but did you know to suspect the air inside your home as well? The Environmental Protection Agency sites indoor pollutants as being three to five times higher than outdoor pollutants. Harnessing your chi and drinking hot tea will only do so much to help protect your health against illness this season. Take a few extra steps to safeguard the air inside your home: Ditch the Machine: You may think that air purifier you bought at the drugstore is going to help combat your home against pollutants, but what if it’s a culprit? Air purifiers work so well against bacteria because they give your air a mega-dose of ozone: which is what is credited as being a major ingredient in smog. That’s exactly right: the machine you trust to purify your air is actually filling it with more pollutants. Instead of relying on a machine, take a more natural approach by using nature’s purifiers: plants are oxygen-generating wonders of nature. In addition to filling your space with luscious green accents, they’ll keep the air in your home pollutant-free. Clean Up: To help aid your plants in fighting off allergens that could potentially lead to asthma attacks, as reported by the American Lung Association, use natural deodorizers and cleaning solutions. Most of them are green and can easily be made at home, swapping harsh chemicals for natural products like vinegar and baking soda. By adding cinnamon or lemon-rinds to your mixture, you’ll keep your home smelling fresh without the harmful ingredients common in most room sprays. Time isn’t an issue: most of these home-made cleaning products take about ten minutes to mix, and contain most ingredients you’ll already have in your cabinet. A quick search on the internet will yield the most successful recipes: everything from an oil treatment for your hair to stain remover for your carpets. Re-Organize: If you’ve been looking for the perfect time to de-clutter your space: it’s now. Did you know that all that extra furniture is giving off extra dust? By re-arranging your home, and getting rid of those pieces you don’t need, you’re not only opening up your living space but deleting sources of indoor pollutants. If you’re having a hard time letting go of some things, consider re-using them. Most plastic lids can be used under containers when cooking to keep your cooking oil off the counter. The Styrofoam containers found in a lot of meat products can be washed and re-used for kids’ canvases, and egg cartons can be recycled in most cities. Detox: There are a lot of suggestions on how to detoxify your body: poses, meditation, diets. To supplement your diet, ensure that you are consuming at least eight servings of fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water and green tea to keep your body hydrated. Meditation and restorative poses, such as Balasana, will help get your body (and mind) back on track. Take time out of detoxifying your home to give your body the same treatment! After adding some green, scrubbing it down, and de-cluttering your space, your home should feel like a more welcoming, calming space. Breathe easy knowing you’ve significantly reduced your indoor pollutants!