Guest Blog Post By: Jess Walter

If you are challenging your addiction and want to create a positive future for yourself, then it is essential that your home is as healthy and toxin-free as possible. Do you suffer from regular and persistent headaches? Do you have allergy and asthma symptoms even when the air quality outside is fine? If this sounds familiar, you may be suffering the effects of indoor air pollution. Chronic exposure to contaminants in your indoor environment can put further pressure on your body and can lead to cancer, kidney and liver issues, or central nervous system damage. Here are some steps you can take to clear the air and create a healthy post-addiction life.

Get Rid of Clutter around Your House

Stacks of clutter harbor all sorts of particulates (including dander and mold) that can cause respiratory irritation. If you have large displays of knick-knacks, consider only keeping a few on the shelves. Then, clean and change out the others on a regular basis. Instead of allowing old papers to sit on tables or counters, consider switching to digital versions of magazines, newspapers, or bills. It is easier to remove dust and keep it out of the air when there are fewer places for it to collect.

Have Indoor Plants

One of the best indoor air filters is also the best aesthetically. Dracaena, philodendrons, snake plants, and other houseplants are simple to keep indoors. VOCs, formaldehyde, benzene, and other gases are removed from the air by these plants and others like them. Recent research found that common houseplants can reduce the quantity of ozone within an enclosed space by 97 percent within 75 minutes.

Get Rid of Your Chemical Air Fresheners

“Air fresheners” are often anything but. Sure, they may smell nice, but they contribute to indoor air pollution with the VOCs that they produce. When you are exposed to VOCs, you will likely experience short-term problems, like respiratory issues, headaches, and irritation to the nose, throat, and eyes. Make sure the air fresheners you use in your home are safe because long-term exposure to VOCs can lead to cancer, damage to the central nervous system, and kidney and liver problems. Avoid chemical air fragrances that include VOCs. And, use natural methods to freshen your air.

Whenever You Can, Open Windows

There is no way for contaminants to escape when your house is sealed up. Therefore, they are recirculated. This results in high levels of mold, animal dander, dust, and other irritants. Open up the windows and let in fresh air for a little while whenever the weather outside permits. This will let indoor air pollutants out and allow fresh air in.

If you are trying to create a healthy post-addiction lifestyle, then it’s important to eliminate all the various types of toxin from your life. Look at the air within your home to provide immediate benefits for your body and move forward with positivity.