The average American spends 90 percent of their lives indoors. That’s an average of 25,294 days, 607,068 hours or an astonishing near 36.5 million minutes spent inhaling chemicals from everything we use to create homes we love: paint, carpet, countertops, upholstery – you name it.
While getting outside is the ideal solution to this problem, we are often too busy with work and family to add outdoor activities to our to do list. If we can’t adjust our routines to accommodate more outdoor benefits, why not bring nature inside? After all, nature has proven to provide a myriad of benefits to our mental and physical health.
Add plants and fresh air
Fresh air is our friend – when fresh air circulates, it keeps our indoor spaces fresh, clean and healthy. By limiting harmful irritants, reducing allergens and controlling moisture, fresh air keeps us feeling our best. New Delhi-based business owner and clean air activist Kamal Meattle, with the help of IIT, TERI and reports from NASA, devised an air-cleaning system that involves massive banks of plants. Meattle found that by combining three plants – the Areca palm, Mother-in-Law's Tongue and money plant – he could create a sustainable, clean indoor environment 24/7. The Areca palm removes CO2 and converts it into oxygen; the Mother-in-law's Tongue converts CO2 into oxygen at night; and the money plant removes formaldehydes and other volatile chemicals.
Brighten your home with natural light
Pull back the drapes, open your windows and mount some mirrors. It’s time to bask in Mother Nature’s glow. Natural lighting is not only healthy for the environment, but is also healthy for you. Natural light reduces the production of harmful bacteria, increases vitamin B and D, improves circulation, boots your immune system and increases endorphins and serotonin. Skylights are another great way to infuse natural light throughout your space. They provide daylight from above that is balanced, filling even the darkest corners of a room.
Give H20 a good rep
Outdoor fountains, pools and ponds are a great way to dress up your backyard. Inside the home, however, the presence of water has been given a bad reputation among many homeowners. It’s time to turn this belief on its head! Incorporating water in home décor like transparent flower vases, built-in features like stone fireplaces or small tabletop fountains, can leave you and your guests feeling more relaxed and connected. These features can also provide soothing ambient sounds and an impressive focal point, giving your home a luxurious feel.
Are you interested in incorporated sustainable solutions into your home design? Find a VELUX installer nearest you.
