Health & wellbeing in your home

What does interior design have to do with your health & wellbeing? A good question

As you are reading this from the comfort of your lounge or whilst sitting in your office chair. Look around at the room; the furniture, walls, flooring, products and accessories. What are they made from? Are they natural or man-made materials? What affect do they have on your health and wellbeing? Are you productive in this room? Are you relaxed and content? Are you suffering from any illnesses?

Health

We spend around 90% of our time inside buildings breathing, living and working. Most modern day materials used in interior design and architecture contain toxic additives. These materials are harmful to human and animal health as they slowly release toxic vapours, gases and pollutants into the air at room temperature (offgassing). This creates indoor air pollution and low air quality levels.

You cannot see, smell or taste these toxic gases.

Interior air also becomes polluted through tobacco smoke, the use of space heaters, electrical equipment, appliances and chemical cleaning supplies. Interior air pollution is more damaging to your health than exterior air pollution as it is condensed and contained within small areas. Over time you may develop symptoms and illnesses such as sick building syndrome, asthma or allergies from indoor air pollution.

Wellbeing

Interior design is a sensory trade, pleasing the eye, touch, smell and ear. Each of your senses responds to the surrounding environment whether the experience is pleasurable or not. Your mood, health and wellbeing can be affected by the rooms you live and work in. Interiors can be designed to stimulate, calm, relax and enhance your senses and psychological reactions. If you are content with where you live or work, then you are on the way to leading continually happy and productive lifestyles.

High levels of indoor air pollution may lead to you feeling lethargic and unmotivated. Just the same as an interior that doesn�t suit your personality aesthetically can have a negative effect on you. We are all different so that means creating an interior which is balanced and harmonious with your lifestyle, more importantly an interior which is fine tuned to your individual wellbeing.

Health & wellbeing articles

The following group of articles look at your health and wellbeing - from illnesses associated with building related pollutants, to typical sources of allergens and sources of indoor toxins within your home. These articles will help you on your way to understanding how your health relates to building materials, furniture and furnishings.

As with any symptoms please consult with a medical professional if you experience any adverse health effects similar to those described in these articles. My intention is to provide you with information from ongoing research and experience of how your home can have an effect on your health.

Sick building syndrome The condition, symptoms, causes and ways to help reduce the effects through holistic interior design

Building related illness How this differs from sick building syndrome and how it relates to holistic interior design

Multiple chemical sensitivity How your surrounding environment is a toxic zone for your body.

Indoor allergens - Part 1 Your home, health, symptoms of allergic reactions to airborne irratants and what you can do.

Indoor allergens - Part 2 Typical causes of allergic reactions are; pet dander, dust, mould, bacteria, fungus, insects & mites.

Electromagnetic fields Looking at EMFs in your home & the associated health risks.

Indoor air pollution How spending time indoors can be worse for you than spending time outside.

Indoor air pollutants What are they and where do they come from? A look at combustion, biological, VOCs and heavy metal pollutants.

VOCs How synthetic materials, furniture, finishes and human activities contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Brominated fire retardants Synthetic chemicals found in furniture, textiles and plastics within your home & their association with illness.

Formaldehyde This toxic chemical can be found in building materials, furniture and products in your home.

Radon This indoor air pollutant contains carcinogens and is undetectable by human senses.

Asbestos Possible sources of exposure in your home, the negative health effects & course of action.

Econatural.ie, Irelands first on-line Eco Store. There you will find a wealth of Natural, Organic, Eco-friendly and Fairtrade products for you, your family, your home and your workplace.

Healthy Holistic Living
Learn techniques on building a healthy home, developing a healthy living strategy, alternative medicine, managing a chronic illness, getting disability as well as various articles and links related to holistic health.

Return from health and wellbeing to the homepage