Being healthy is usually associated with a good fitness routine and maintaining a healthy diet. Most of us seem to forget that our environment can also affect our health. Environments where we spend most of our time, like the workplace and home, can have a significant impact on our health so it’s important that we pay just as much attention to our living space as well as our own body.

A home should be a place where you can feel safe and comfortable, where you can prepare for the day ahead, and rest after your day’s complete. If your home is unclean, unsafe or generally unhealthy, it can have negative effects on your own health. Here’s 6 ways you can make you home healthier.

Avoid chemical-based products

Sometimes the only way to get the dirt and soap scum out of your bath is some bleach in hot water, but when you can, it’s best to avoid using chemical-based products throughout your home. It’s clear now just how damaging toxic chemicals in many household cleaners can be to our heath. The general rule is to minimise exposure.

Instead, try to use cleaning products that make use of natural products such as essential oils, basic soaps and water, or plant-based products.

Go lead free

It been a while since the world discovered the danger of lead and its widespread threat which came in things like paints but could also be found in water pipes and domestic plumbing. Today, lead has been phased out of most things, but many Australian household tap fittings can often be made from brass or copper which can still contain lead and other carcinogens such as arsenic.

Because of this, it’s a great idea to upgrade your taps to lead-free fixtures, like those from Bravat. This is the simplest way to eliminate the risk that lead poses to you and your family. Combining this with a water filtration system for your tap will remove all the possible contaminates from your water source.

Air purifier

The air you breath is a huge factor in your health. Making sure it’s clean is important, especially if you live in a city or high-traffic area. Air pollution from vehicles and factories and most recently, fine particulate matter, has been linked to lung issues as well as heart disease. Investing in an air purifier for your home can help reduce the risk such pollutants pose.

Think about your light

The amount of natural light you are getting can impact on your health, particularly your sleep patterns. Throughout the day, it’s important that you receive natural light as it can help with everything from sleep to improving your mood and productivity.

At the same time, if your bedroom gets a lot of light pollution through the night, it’s best to invest in some curtains that can black out your room. Light coming into your room through the night will obviously impact your sleep, which is an issue as bad sleep is linked to things like obesity, cancer, mental illness and even memory loss.

Tend to your garden

Having a garden, no matter the size can provide significant benefits to your health. For one, areas where people have gardens and are closer to nature have less crime and vandalism and people are generally happier.

In addition to this, a garden can be a great way to produce your own fruit and vegies. If you grow it yourself, you’re much likely to eat more of it, which will be healthy for both your body and wallet.

Control Dust

Dust is something we all have to deal with. It can feel like a never-ending task, where you finish dusting only to turn around and find more dust. The key is to stay on top of it before too much builds up. According to the American Lung Association, chronic exposure to dust mites can cause allergies and asthma.

Get in the habit of dusting, vacuuming and changing your bedding frequently. If you can get on top of dust in your home you will notice a definite improvement in the air quality.

Being healthy is more than staying fit and eating right. The place where you cook, sleep and live is just as important. Focus on keeping your home clean and free of chemicals, along with ensuring your sleep isn’t affected by things like light and noise. Having a healthy home will do wonders for your own health.