The benefits of living a healthy lifestyle are well-known. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, enough sleep, and stress management all play a role in keeping us healthy. You will work hard and make every effort to live a healthy lifestyle, but your measures may not be as effective as you think.
Even if you work hard, you might still experience health problems because of the environment you constantly find yourself in, especially at home. Studies show that the home environment significantly impacts your health and can even contribute to developing chronic diseases.
There are also other environmental aspects to consider for health, most of which will be out of your control. They can hurt your health, even if you follow all the healthy lifestyle tips.
The environment is just as important as people’s efforts in maintaining health. They should be aware of the surroundings they are constantly in and try to make changes to create a healthier environment. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Air Quality
The air quality in many cities is poor, and it’s only getting worse. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is now the world’s most significant environmental health risk. In 2012, it was responsible for 6.5 million deaths.
That’s shocking and will only worsen if people don’t do something about it. One of the primary sources of air pollution is traffic. Cars and trucks release harmful gases into the air, which can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and even cancer.
Other sources of air pollution include factories, power plants, and burning coal and wood. All these things release harmful toxins into the air, which can cause all sorts of health problems.
The best way to reduce air pollution is to reduce people’s reliance on cars. They need to walk, bike, or take public transportation more often. They also need to switch to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. These are cleaner and healthier than traditional energy sources like coal and oil.
People can also improve the air quality at home by making simple changes. They can install a filter on your furnace or AC unit to remove harmful toxins from the air. They can also open windows to allow fresh air and plant trees and shrubs to create a natural filter. Homeowners should also avoid using chemicals and other harmful products inside the house.
Water Quality
The quality of your water has a significant impact on your health. People need water to live, so the water people drink must be clean and free of contaminants. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Many things can contaminate water, including industrial waste, sewage, pesticides, and even naturally-occurring minerals. All these things can make people sick and cause health problems.
That’s why it’s essential only to drink water that has been filtered or treated. Homeowners should install a filtration system on their taps to remove contaminants. They should also avoid drinking water from lakes, rivers, or streams unless it gets treated.
It’s also important to be mindful of the quality of the water you use for bathing and cooking. You can reduce your exposure to contaminants by using a water filter or purifier.
Sedentary Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the leading causes of chronic disease. It’s a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle that involves little to no physical activity. People with sedentary lifestyles tend to sit at work, at home, or commute for long periods. They might also spend a lot of time lying down or sleeping.
This lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain, increasing the risk of chronic disease. It can also cause mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Of course, the effort is critical in maintaining health, but the environment is also essential.
Of course, not everyone has the time or ability to get this much exercise. But there are still things you can do to be more active. You can take the stairs instead of the elevator, park further away from your destination, and walk or bike instead of driving whenever possible.
Home Hazards
The home is supposed to be a haven, but it can be full of hazards. These hazards can cause injuries, illnesses, and even death.
Identifying these hazards and taking steps to reduce the risk is essential. Some common home hazards include:
- Cleaning products
- Pesticides
- Radon
- Asbestos
- Lead paint
- Carbon monoxide
You can reduce many of these hazards by using safer alternatives. For example, you can use natural cleaning products instead of toxic chemicals. You can also ventilate your home to reduce the risk of radon and carbon monoxide buildup.
Home maintenance will also become a problem for health if homeowners fail to address it. For example, broken stairs and loose railings can cause falls. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage and mold growth.
However, some home maintenance tasks can be dangerous enough for the average homeowner to perform. Roof repairs, for example, have plenty of risks that make it a good idea to hire a professional. You can also employ roof replacement contractor services if your roof is too old or damaged to repair.
When it comes to home hazards, the best defense is a good offense. You can create a safer and healthier home environment by taking steps to identify and reduce risks.
The Bottom Line
While effort is essential for maintaining health, the environment also plays a role. People’s lifestyles and homes can also be full of hazards that put your health at risk. You can make a big difference in your surroundings by making minor changes to your health.
