People spend a huge amount of time at home. It’s where they sleep, where they eat, and where they relax. With so much time spent at home, it’s a good idea to make the home a healthy space—but there are a number of ways that your home could be negatively impacting your health. Here are three ways in which your home could be harming your health, and tips to help you combat the negative effects.
There’s No Natural Light
Much like plants, people need natural light to thrive. The light from the sun allows the human body to produce vitamin D, which is essential for keeping the body functioning properly. If you live in a dark property with very few windows or low levels of natural light, you may experience the negative effects that come with a lack of vitamin D. These can include:
- Fatigue
- Getting ill often
- Back pain
- Depression
- Hair loss
How To Fix The Issue
If you want to improve the lighting in your home, there are some simple changes you can make.
Make sure you open the curtains or blinds during the day to allow natural light in. If you have the budget to make bigger changes, you could install larger windows or a skylight to allow even more light into your home. If this isn’t an option, consider buying a sunlight-replicating lamp to ensure you’re getting the right amount of vitamin D.
If you don’t want to take the steps to fix the issue (or any of the others listed in this article) you could always move house! Find houses to rent Cheshunt and beyond by searching for a new property near you.
You Have Damp Or Mold
If you frequently notice condensation on the windows of your home, you are more likely to have an issue with damp in the home. Living in a damp house can lead to mold, and this can have numerous impacts on your respiratory health. Mold can also worsen skin conditions such as eczema, and can lead to allergic reactions.
How To Fix The Issue
To address the issue of damp or mold, you need to find the source of the excess moisture. It may be caused by a leaking pipe, or by a damaged roof or window frames. It may also be due to condensation.
Once you’ve found the source of the problem, take the necessary steps to prevent it from getting worse. Open the windows regularly to get rid of condensation, and have somebody come in to fix any leaking pipes.
Don’t forget to clean the mold to prevent illness—if it’s just a small amount, you can do this yourself with household cleaners, but larger quantities of mold may require professional assistance.
There Are Toxic Substances
Today, houses are built according to strict rules and safety regulations. However, older houses —particularly those built before the 1970s—may not have been built in line with modern code, and your home may contain trace amounts of toxic substances.
Many homes built in the 1960s and earlier will have been painted with lead paint, and this can have negative health impacts, particularly for the elderly, the pregnant, and the young.
How To Fix The Issue
Depending on the toxic substance you’ve found, you may need to take different steps. Dealing with lead paint is not usually difficult, but if you’ve discovered asbestos, you’ll need to hire in a professional asbestos removal team.
By taking the right steps, you can make your home a safer and healthier place to live.