home – Hello Doctor

House plants that improve your health

April 8th, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Chemicals from detergents, deodorants and even the polluted air coming from outside can make indoor air toxic. Having a houseplant in your home doesn’t just add a nice pop of colour; plants can also provide much-needed health benefits.

Breathe easy

Green spaces can have a positive effect on your mental health. According to one study, urban green spaces like parks, playgrounds, and residential greenery, can promote mental and physical health by providing psychological relaxation and stress release. Houseplants give off oxygen and help remove chemicals like formaldehyde, a common indoor vapour.

5 plants to keep you healthy

Lavender (Lavandula)

The scent of lavender is usually described as soothing. Fragrances impact your mood and bring on relaxation and tranquillity. Growing lavender indoors can be difficult as the plant needs a very sunny spot. Still, having a lavender plant in your home can help bring about a sense of calmness.

Aloe

The aloe vera plant is a two-in-one houseplant. It removes formaldehyde from the air, and the gel inside the plant helps with sunburns and skin conditions like psoriasis and acne. It needs a good amount of sunlight and less water since it’s a succulent (a plant with rubbery and thick tissues that stores water) and can be kept on a kitchen windowsill.

Snake plant

The snake plant is known to be the easiest houseplants to grow. It is one of the most effective indoor air cleaners as it has the ability to absorb excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. It also releases oxygen and filters other toxins from the air. This plant doesn’t need a lot of water as it’s also a succulent and does well in medium lighting.

Indoor peace lily plant

Peace lilies make excellent house or office plants. Not only do they brighten up a living space, but they also clean the air in it. Peace lilies enjoy medium to low light. When it comes to indoor plants, peace lily plants are some of the easiest to care for. Mist the leaves several times a week with a spray bottle and keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater. This plant can stand short periods of dry soil, but their leaves will start to brown if neglected for too long.

Bamboo palm

Bamboo palm is a plant that has more to offer than its good looks, it removes harmful gases from the indoor environment. Known to be a natural air cleaner, it improves the air quality by filtering indoor air of toxins like nitrogen oxide and formaldehyde. Bamboo can be grown in well-drained and rich potting soil with balanced lighting. The soil should be kept moist, but not soaked. When a bamboo plant is a little dry, the leaves will roll into themselves. When watered, the leaves will open back up within a few hours. This will tell you when your bamboo plant needs to be watered.

References:

Is your home making you sick?

February 28th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You think of your home as a sanctuary from the grind and grime of city living. Unfortunately, this sanctuary can become tainted with cigarette smoke, cleaning chemicals, and even air fresheners.

The toxicity builds up further when doors and windows are closed. Indoor pollution is often more harmful than outdoor. It’s easy to forget that indoors is also part of the environment, but keeping it clean is one of the best favours you can do for your health.

Where gremlins lurk

The lounge. Leisure zones like your lounge are often filled with toxins, germs, dust and dander, as this is one of the most used areas in your home. Residual toxins are especially rife in winter – think heaters and the fireplace, and very little ventilation.
In the kitchen. Your go-to kitchen cleaner is probably spreading more toxins than it’s getting rid of. Most cleaning products contain harmful chemicals like triclosan, ammonia and chlorine that have been linked to cancer, asthma, and developmental disorders.
In your bathroom. From the products you use on your face to the ones for scrubbing the sink, toxins hide all over your bathroom. In small numbers, they probably won’t do much harm. But in the long term, these products may have a negative impact on your health and the environment.

Keep it clean (and healthy)

Leave your shoes at the front door to help prevent tracking in dirt and bacteria from outside.
Use pot plants as indoor air filters. These green gifts bring life to any room, and they’re proven natural air-pollution filters. They can improve air quality by helping reduce concentrations of toxins like benzene, formaldehyde and ammonia.
Open windows and doors to improve indoor ventilation, especially while using commercial cleaners, which give off harmful fumes. This will dilute indoor air pollutants, and reduce exposure to disease-carrying germs. Also, let the sunlight in! It acts as a natural disinfectant.
Make your home a smoke-free zone. Smoking outside will improve indoor air. Just be sure it’s done several metres away from windows and doors as smoke can find its way inside.
Ditch artificial air fresheners and deodorisers. These products release toxic substances, including carcinogens and chemicals that can affect your respiratory, neurological and reproductive health. Use crushed herbs and flowers instead.
Cut down on commercial cleaning products. Use smaller amounts, dilute, or make your own non-toxic alternatives. When you do use these products, make sure you rinse well with warm water. This is especially important when you’re washing dishes.
Try natural cleaners with ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. They have surprisingly high germ-busting power, and they’re safe.
Vacuum regularly and mop the floors to reduce levels of dust and pollutants. It helps to control fleas too. Sweeping is better than nothing, but it tends to stir up the dust.
During renovations, vacate the property if possible. Avoid spending time in rooms that are being renovated or painted. If you can smell new carpets, furniture or freshly painted walls, you’re exposing yourself to harmful chemical fumes.
Roll out a clean mat for kids to play on, and encourage hand-washing. Children spend more time on and near the floor, and also put their hands in their mouths more –which increases their toxin exposure.

References:

Office or home – Where should you work?

October 31st, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

There’s an ongoing debate here at the Hello Doctor office between people who prefer to work from home versus those who love to be at the office. Their reasons vary from productivity to silence. One thing is clear though, not everyone feels the same way. If given the choice, which would you choose? Continue reading “Office or home – Where should you work?”

8 Things you didn’t know about home hygiene

October 23rd, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Washing your hands throughout the day, and coughing and sneezing into your elbow helps stop the spread of germs. But what stops them from multiplying on your kitchen counters, or inside the fridge? Here’s our top list of interesting facts we bet you didn’t know about home hygiene. Continue reading “8 Things you didn’t know about home hygiene”

How to create a flea-free home

September 30th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

They may only range between 1.5mm – 3.3mm in size, but fleas can cause a lot of trouble for you and your pets. “What kind of trouble, and how serious can it really be?” Let’s take a look: Continue reading “How to create a flea-free home”