Your Life Style

CARING FOR YOUR PERSONAL ENVIRONMENT - August-2009

With all the information now surfacing about the global climate change and destruction to Mother Earth, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming or out of our hands what we as individuals can do about it. But what is easier to consider is how our personal environment is impacting on us and our family. Our personal environment –meaning our body, our home – and the choices we make for ourselves, have a tremendous impact on our health and on our wellbeing.

Here are 5 things you can do to make your personal environment healthier:

1. Keep Your Air Clean: Keeping your air as clean as possible at home is important. After all, you spend at least half of your life at home!

• Air Filters: A good rule of thumb is to replace or clean your air filters in heating and cooling units twice a year. This will ensure that your units function efficiently and that the air is being effectively cleaned.
• Take off outdoor shoes: Have a designated area at your entry for taking shoes off. Taking off your shoes will prevent everyone from tracking in dirt, dust and pollutants into your home.

2. Choose Personal Care Products Wisely: What products we use on our bodies can play an important part in our health. Chemicals, preservatives and additives can interfere with hormones and our wellbeing. You can be wise about the products you choose to use. Aim for those that are high in natural ingredients and avoid chemicals, fragrances and preservatives. Here are some ingredients worth avoiding:

• Parabens (butyl, methyl and propylparaben)
• triethanolamine
• Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS)
• Disodium Laureth sulfoscuuinate (DLS)
• Phenoxyethanol

3. Choose Home Products Wisely: Products that you use in and around your home, such as cleaners, pesticides and detergents can emit toxins into your air, clothes and home fabrics. There are some great brands out there that aim to eliminate these.

4. Eat Organic: Although organic foods sometimes can be more expensive than non-organic foods, many supermarkets are stocking organic fruit and vegetables now at comparable prices to non organic. Dairy products though are worth paying some extra money for because they are free of antibiotics, GMO Feed, Drugs and added hormones.

5. Renovate Wisely: If you are doing some home renovating projects, try to find materials that are sustainable, earth friendly and non-toxic. For instance, use low or non-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint to ensure that toxic gases aren't emitted into the air. Your house will be a safer haven for you and your family.