Electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by our computers, televisions, cell phones, wireless networks, microwave ovens and other electronics have a questionable influence on human health. It is said they might generate free radicals that can be toxic to your brain and promote loss of memory and dementia. Research shows higher rates of Alzheimer’s in people exposed to EMFs.

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To minimize your exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR):

• move your alarm clock at least 3 feet from your head while sleeping, or use a battery-powered one (6 feet is the recommended distance from all electronic devices during sleep)
• avoid water beds, electric blankets, and metal bed frames, which attract electromagnetic frequencies
• while choosing a mattress, opt for foam over metal-coiled with box-spring
• keep a low-EMR bedroom: minimize TV and computer use in this room, sit and sleep as far back from them as possible; replace cordless and WiFi items with wired, corded lines
• when using an electric cooktop, work on back burners instead of the front if possible

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Interested in more? The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, when not enough outdoor air enters your home, the level of air pollutants increases, causing discomfort and health problems. This is especially true for new homes, which are well insulated. During winter and summer months the condition worsens due to forced air heating/cooling, which promotes excessive indoor air movement.

The indoor air quality is a big concern not only in enclosed commercial and office areas, but also in our safe-haven homes, where we rest and relax.

Chemical pollutants (like volatile organic compounds “VOCs” and formaldehyde) are released from furniture, new materials used to renovate a house, paints, adhesives, and various household products. Biological air pollutants like mold and dust mites are present in damp and ill-ventilated environments. All of them may cause a spectrum of illnesses, from upper-respiratory problems, headaches and allergies, up to organ damage and cancer.

What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harms of polluted indoor air?

1. eliminate dust-gathering, hard-to-clean items (dried flowers, heavy draperies, etc.)
2. choose easily cleanable window treatments and bedding, wash/clean them often
3. use low-or zero-VOC paint & drywall when renovating
   ask for it at the store; there is always a healthy alternative for the product you intend to buy
4. watch out for toxic adhesives in building products, cabinets, upholstery and carpet; always check the labels
5. get rid of the carpet; consider hard floor surfaces like solid wood, reclaimed wood , bamboo, concrete or ceramic tile flooring for low toxicity and greater cleanability
6. if possible, convert your heating system to radiant floor heating – it will minimize dust particle movement throughout your home and make it “stick” to the floor (easier to clean); it will also give your space a more consistent temperature
7. install an air filtering and humidification system in your home; it will greatly improve the indoor air quality and give you more control over the inside environment.

Do you know that harmful VOCs can be present in practically every man-made home product you’re buying? The “new” smell is what’s revealing their presence. Higher temperatures (when exposed to the sun, warming up while working) promote the release of VOCs. Remove those items, especially from bedrooms, or minimize their use.

Interested in more? The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.

Scent is a very important factor in how we perceive our surroundings. High-end shopping centers, hotels and restaurants all use different aromas to influence our behaviors, to make us feel comfortable and wanting to stay longer or to associate them with a specific fragrance.

Why not use this technique at home, to the benefit of its residents and guests? Here are some criteria for choosing your home’s perfume:

• introduce an elegant, luxurious fragrance (sandalwood, patchouli) into the formal areas of your house
• the casual, family-only spaces could get a perk-up, energetic, perhaps fruity fragrance
• take special care when selecting a fragrance for your bedroom and bath; be prepared to experiment with scents to find the one that suits you the most;
  I found the calming effects of lavender and chamomile to work the best
• don’t forget about the kitchen and informal dining areas: vanilla and fruit scents improve your digestion and harmonize with any kitchen smells.

The points to consider:

1. Air freshener sprays are a waste of your health and money: they last for a short time, and you don’t want to inhale this harmful chemicals with the air you breathe.
2. Do not use the plug-in version of room fragrances; they waste electrical energy, produce harmful electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and increase the risk of fire.
3. Use candles wisely; they’re great for creating mood, but constant use might worsen the quality of the air inside your home (smoke and oxygen depletion), also pose a fire risk.
   NEVER LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE UNATTENDED!
4. My favorite method for adding fragrance to a space is through reed infusers (some of them come in very attractive bottles or bottle covers). Be selective, pick only the highest quality ones – they provide more coverage and last longer.

Beware of powder carpet fresheners. Some cleaning companies and housekeepers love to use them for a quick odor-masking effect. They add a lot of harmful particles to your indoor air, which might introduce asthma and allergies. Stay away.

Interested in more? The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.

Unlike common charcoal, white charcoal does not leave dust or residue. It is made by heating pieces of oak and bamboo over a seven-day period in an oxygen-lacking environment. The resulting product retains the original shape and unique beauty of the real wood.

White charcoal has been always used to purify air, water, and body.
Its great absorption ability makes it useful for getting rid of air pollution, unwanted smells, and moisture. When added to water, it will remove chlorine and other impurities, softening the water and improving the overall taste. Soap made with white charcoal powder cleans pores, absorbs impurities, and removes dead skin, helping to take care of acne-prone skin.
Charcoal pieces can also be placed near the computer or TV – they create natural anions, reducing harmful ionization.

White charcoal is reusable and recyclable. Its purification qualities can be reactivated through exposure to boiling water or direct sunlight for a few months up to a few years.
Once it is no longer functioning as a purifier, the charcoal can be broken into pieces and used as a soil amendment.

Some air and water purification products by Sort of Coal are available on the US market through Design Within Reach.
The Sort Of Coal website offers a full array of products: sticks for water and other liquid purification, charcoal cubes, stems and panels for air purification, white and black soaps, and Chi balancing jewelry.
My favorites are white charcoal sculptures, made from Korean oak. They refresh the air in living or commercial spaces (offices and restaurants) and help to balance Chi energy, positively influencing both our well-being and the environment.

We keep too much stuff because it makes us feel more secure, or because we believe the more we have, the better. In today’s world, where we have instant access to practically every item’s high and low price alternative, we buy to our heart’s content. This causes our homes to be filled with stuff, some of which is rarely or even never used. Our rooms and garages are filled up to the ceiling, and it’s still not enough. Want proof? Just look at the numerous storage rental businesses around you.

Are you one of the many who are paying mortgage for a very expensive storage space for their stuff? Is your home full of rarely (if ever) used items? Maybe you already have tried to get rid of some of this mess, but without success?

Here are some ideas on how to start:

Define “clutter zones” in your home and attack them one-by-one.
You can approach the clutter clearing in two ways: either schedule the whole day (weekends work best) for a given space (the fast way), or assign a certain amount of time daily, for example 30 minutes, to work on this task (slower results, but often the only way if you’re busy on weekends).
Use the “empty and add” method: remove everything from the cleaned room (cabinet or drawer in case you’re using the “slower method”), and clean it thoroughly. Then bring in only the essential items like the bed in the bedroom, the sofa and chairs in the living room, etc. Concentrate on the activities you perform in that space and items supporting those. Try to live with it for a day or two, and then bring in a few (and I mean a few) personal objects that will help to make the room your own. That’s it!
Sort the remaining stuff into 3 piles: the ‘Throw Away’ (you know what to do with it), the ‘Get Rid Of’ (sell, give away, donate), and the ‘Consider’ pile (you can’t or won’t decide what to do with it right now – return to it in a month or so).
If you are a collector, try to rotate your collection so there are always some fresh and interesting objects on display, and the rest (pared down to the minimum, of course) is stored safely so it won’t gather dust and block the energy flow inside of your home.
And the most important advice (this made a huge difference for me personally): do not buy any more new items if you don’t get rid of something beforehand. And before you buy anything, always ask yourself: Do I absolutely love it? Do I really need it? Is the quality good enough to withstand years of use, so I don’t have to throw it away soon, in order to buy a new one?

Getting rid of unnecessary stuff in your live will help you become more energetic, gain a new perspective and make a fresh start. It also will improve your overall health by minimizing the use of household cleaners for everyday cleaning of your innumerable possessions, as well as the health of the planet through frugal use of resources, and shrinking the mountain of trash produced by you every year.

Happy De-cluttering!