During the cold and flu season, it is a good idea to make an extra effort to promote wellness at home. There are easy ways to make your house a healthier place, from deep cleaning to setting up a workout room. Since many of us are spending more time at home this year, use these 7 tips to help your family stay healthy at home.
Keep the House Sanitized to Promote Wellness at Home
Dusting and cleaning floors help eliminate allergens from the home. Sanitize surfaces around the house to prevent the spread of germs. Use a disinfectant spray to clean doorknobs, remote controls, light switches, banisters, and other frequently touched places in the home.
Place bottles of hand sanitizer by the front door so that people remember to use it as they walk inside. You can make your own hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray with these ingredients.
Avoid Products with Chemicals
Everyone loves the comforting glow and scent of holiday candles, but many of them contain chemicals that are unhealthy to breathe. Cheap paraffin candles release VOCs and particulate matter into the air, which can cause lung irritation and long-term health complications.
Spend a little more on all-natural soy or beeswax candles this holiday season. Also, look for cleaning products and paints that don’t contain VOCs.
Promote Wellness at Home with Adequate Ventilation
Ventilation is important at all times of the year, but even more so in winter when the house is closed up. If you burn fires in your fireplace, make sure that the damper is fully open to ventilate the smoke outside.
When cooking on the stove, turn the ventilation fan on to remove cooking odors and smoke. Likewise, turn the ventilation fan on in the bathroom when showering to remove moisture that can cause mold growth.
Make an Exercise Space
Perhaps your gym was shut down due to COVID-19 and it is too cold to exercise outdoors. If so, designate a small space in your home as an exercise area, even if you don’t have a complete home gym. Get a yoga mat and a few sets of dumbbells and clear out a section of a room. You can find plenty of home workout videos online for free or join a workout subscription service.
Change Air Filters
Learn how often your HVAC air filter should be changed and stick to a schedule. A clean air filter makes a big difference in air quality. If you use portable air purifiers or humidifiers in your home, change these filters regularly, too.
Filter Drinking Water to Promote Wellness at Home
Don’t assume that your tap water is pure. It is common for municipal and well water to contain some contaminants. Have your water tested and then install the type of water filter that is best-suited for removing the pollutants from your water.
Stock Up on Over-the-Counter Vitamins and Medicines
Every home needs a first-aid kit, but it is also helpful to have a stash of over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and vitamins to promote wellness at home. This way, if you or a family member come down with the flu, a cold, or allergies, you won’t have to rush out to the store. Encourage your family to take vitamins and supplements for boosting the immune system.
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