It’s where you wake up in the morning, go to sleep every night and spend a lot of your free time. Your home affects you more than any other place you frequent. You and your family deserve to live in a healthy, peaceful environment, which means that now is as good a time as ever to make your abode a better space for everyone.
A complete overhaul of your home is likely to drain your energy and your wallet. However, you can engage in a few small changes that are sure to make it a brighter, better functioning and healthier place for the whole family.
1. Clear the Air
Breathing in the fresh air doesn’t have to be limited to the outdoors. There are many ways to bring it inside your home. Opening windows frequently and keeping houseplants are both little things that make a world of difference in your house’s air quality. Opening windows lets the fresh air and sunlight in, which can improve overall mood. Houseplants are also known to offer a variety of benefits, such as increasing productivity and happiness.
Cultivating a space that feels fresh, clean and happy can improve your household’s overall health, especially when it becomes habitual. Plus, who doesn’t love a fresh-smelling home?
2. Filter Your Water
Depending upon your city, state and specific household, your tap water could contain various germs and chemicals. While it’s safe to drink in some places, it’s always better to be safe than sorry by filtering your water. There are plenty of filter types, so the one you choose should be based on your family’s needs and the contents of your specific tap water.
3. Make Handwashing the Law of the Land
The importance of handwashing has risen in popularity, and rightfully so. Data shows that only 66% of Americans wash their hands, and while that number has recently grown because of the pandemic, it’s still important to make sure everyone in your home is doing it.
Putting a house rule in place about regular handwashing and having soap available at all times are great ways to encourage guests and members of your household to wash their hands regularly.
4. Embrace a Shoes-Off Household
Many cultures and schools of thought regard the home as a place where shoes don’t belong. Kicking them off before coming inside is easy enough to do, and it offers many benefits. Not only does it keep the carpets clean, but it also creates a barrier between outside grime and your floors. By taking off your shoes before you enter, anything that may be on them won’t come in with you.
This practice also provides an opportunity for additional organization in your home. When everyone’s shoes have one designated place — such as a shelf or cubby system — it helps decrease clutter and messiness.
5. Have a Tech-Free Zone
A tech-free zone can be whatever you make it. It can mean a physical space in your home without any screens, or it can refer to a set time each day for the whole family to put down the phones and tablets. This space or time frame can be used to be present with each other or to enjoy some quiet time alone.
Putting down the tech every once in a while is healthy for people of all ages, and whatever form that takes is sure to bring a bit of extra consciousness to your family interactions.
A Healthy Home Is a Happy Home
Once these changes become a part of your daily life, things will flow a whole lot easier. Soon, you’ll adjust to health benefits you never expected before, and your household will thank you. What are you waiting for? Now is the perfect time to spruce up your home.