When we think of healthy habits, we often look first (sometimes only) at our body. What we put in our body, how we move it, and how we care for it take center stage. However, perhaps a little more focus should be put on the environment that the body is in, as well. If you have a sick home, then that home is likely to spread its sickness to you. But what do we mean by a sick home? Let’s take a closer look at some of the risks, how they can affect you, and what to do about it.
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What's Making Your Home Sick?

Dust, Debris & Allergens
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Dust is a natural part of life. There’s little you can do to prevent it from making its way in the home. However, dust can contribute to a problem that’s growing in families across the country. They’re a major source of allergies. Dust, pet dander, and pollen in the house are all making allergens much more prevalent, so you have to find ways to deal with them. Reducing the amount of fabric you use in decorating the home is one step. You should also look at products like HEPA filters and air purifiers that can stop the spread of allergens in the home, as well.

Watch Out For Those Unwelcomed Guests

The next major issue we will look at is another source of allergies. They are also responsible for respiratory diseases such as asthma, and may carry a range of bacteria and viruses that can lead to serious illnesses. We are talking, of course, about pets. Looking for the signs of pests in the home at least once a season is essential. Signs of marked or destroyed wood could be a hint of a wood-boring insect or rodent collecting nesting material. You should also keep an eye out for urine stains and droppings. As soon as you identify those signs, you need to get in touch with a pest control professional immediately. If you don’t root out the problem quickly, it can easily start to multiply and become much more dangerous and expensive.

High Humidity & Moisture
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Humidity is a serious problem for you and your home. It can lead to issues with damp and mold that can start to break down the structure of the home, meaning you might have to pay for repairs. However, mold is also known to cause a huge range of health issues. This can mean a fit of coughing and sneezing from chronic sinusitis, but it can also mean serious damage to the central nervous systems. Mold and damp also tends to attract pests, which can bring their own health issues. Installing a dehumidifier in the home and checking the HVAC system for built up moisture, especially in ventilation and AC filters, is an essential step.

Air Quality & Its Impact On Your Health

Hygiene Hotspots You Have To Hit

We tend to hunt down and close off air leaks as soon as possible, always in an effort to keep the home cozy and to avoid high energy bills. After all, air leaks cause the heat to escape, meaning our heating systems have to work harder to maintain a more comfortable environment. However, a home that’s sealed too tight can be a serious risk If your home uses a furnace or an air conditioner, you’re constantly recycling the air used inside the home. Air quality is essential, and have to be maintained by bringing in fresh air on a regular basis. Otherwise, it can lead to issues, causing and exacerbating respiratory health conditions such as asthma. 

Bacteria is a fact of life. We’re all getting over the bacteria panic that saw us rushing to keep our kitchens as clean as possible. Being too overprotective means that our immune systems aren’t getting tested, which makes us more susceptible to disease. However, there are some bacterial breeding grounds that can be so overgrown that cleaning them on a regular basis is essential. Commonly touched things, such as door knobs and light switches, rank up there. Shower heads are another hygiene hotspot that can attract a lot of bacteria. Kitchen sponges should be replaced on a somewhat regular basis, as well, as even reusing them a couple of times can lead to extraordinary amounts of bacteria that can make it easier to get sick.
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The tips above should serve as a reminder that you are always affected by the environment that you’re in and that includes your body. Take care of your home and it will take care of you.
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