by Dr. Marita Schauch, ND, Tall Tree Integrated Health Centre –
In older generations, the “cure all” of fresh air was a popular focus. You may have heard your grandmother say that “all you need is a little fresh air” when you were feeling unwell, or see doctors in period pieces recommending their patients take a trip to the seaside for some sea air. Then there are the tales from Scandinavian countries about mothers placing their babies outside to nap every day. While it may not be a cure all, getting fresh air everyday is of key importance to good health, as is the quality of the air we breathe indoors.
BENEFITS OF FRESH AIR
The air outside has more oxygen than indoor air! Because of this, it has many positive effects on our bodies that rely on oxygen for good health. The benefits of fresh air include:
Clearing out the Lungs. More oxygen helps the blood vessels in the lungs dilate, effectively releasing more on an inhale and exhale. This is also why fresh air can help relieve congestion.
Lowers Blood Pressure and Heart Rate. More oxygen means the heart needs to work less hard to meet the oxygen needs of your cells.
Better Mental Clarity. There’s a reason why getting out for a walk often leaves us with ideas, clarity and a better capacity to focus – the brain is getting more oxygen.
I recommend getting outside for at least 20 minutes every day to enjoy the benefits of fresh air.
CONTAMINANTS IN THE HOUSE
Just like getting outdoors for fresh air is important, so is the quality of air we breathe while indoors. Common contaminants to indoor air include:
• Mold and dust
• Household cleaners
• Gases like carbon monoxide, natural gas or radon.
• Building materials such as asbestos, lead or formaldehyde
• Smoke
Indoor air pollution could cause symptoms such as congestion, sore throat, dizziness and fatigue.
KEEPING YOUR INDOOR AIR CLEAN
Proper Ventilation. Ensuring your home is properly ventilated to let clean fresh air in is super important! It’s a good idea to leave windows or doors open periodically to air out rooms as well.
Indoor Plants. Keeping indoor plants is more than just décor: they also help purify the air by converting CO2 to oxygen!
Use Non Toxic Cleaners. Switching to non-toxic cleaning products reduces the toxic load within your indoor air.
Investigate Your Home. If it is accessible to you and you have an older home, having a specialist come in to assess the space for toxic building materials, mold or gas leaks is well worth it.
HEPA Filters. Installing HEPA filters in your heating/cooling systems, vacuum cleaners or air purifiers can help filter out mold spores, dust mites, pollen and other contaminants.
Keep Dry. Address any leaks or water damage quickly to prevent mold from growing.
Don’t Smoke Indoors.
Breathe easy!
