Bal Taschit and Beyond: Health at Home

We are spending more time than ever at home. From long days in the home office to restorative “Netflix and chill” nights spent on the couch and, if we’re being honest, some weekends when our fuzzy pajamas are worn all day long; the sanctity and safety of our home environment has never been more important. Here are a few tips to make your home a haven for healthy living:

Avoid chemicals of concern This seems obvious enough at face value but there may be harmful chemicals lurking in unlikely places. The worst of the worst for your health are Perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, and halogenated flame retardants. Be mindful of your purchases to protect yourself and the planet.

PFASs comprise a large class of chemicals that cause oil, dirt, and moisture to bead on a surface instead of soaking in. Look out for PFASs in household products, including stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products (e.g., Teflon), polishes, waxes, paints, and cleaning products.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. Think about your raincoat or your shower curtain. Look out for phthalates in plastic products, vinyl products like inflatables, and in personal care items like perfumed dryer sheets, shampoo, and lotion. Flame retardants are chemicals that are applied to materials to prevent the start or slow the growth of fire. Look out for flame retardants in furnishings, such as foam, upholstery, mattresses, carpets, curtains, and fabric blinds.

Be green inside and out. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Yes, please! Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Consider adding some houseplants to your workspace if you are not sensitive to allergy triggers. Or just get outside and garden. Studies show that the impulse to garden during hard times is about more than a concern for food scarcity; gardening fills a desire for connection and belonging and provides us with a sense of purpose that yields tangible results. If you don’t have space in your own yard, the Shalom Park Community Garden has resumed monthly garden workdays through November under Shalom Park health and safety guidelines. Do yourself and your community a favor — check out our website www.shalomgreenCLT.org for details and advance registration requirements.

Let the sunshine in. Natural light boosts your body’s vitamin D storage. The “sunshine vitamin” doesn’t discriminate based on whether you get your sunlight indoors or out so open up the blinds and find yourself a sunny spot to absorb this critical nutrient that prevents bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease, weight gain, and various cancers. Natural light also leads to higher productivity, so whether you are working or learning from home, or both, natural light may increase your energy and focus, improve your mood and help you sleep better at night. Access to quality natural light may also reduce your need for artificial lighting, which reduces energy use.

Improve your indoor air quality. You can reduce indoor allergens that may trigger respiratory problems and other issues simply by keeping your home clean. Vacuuming carpets and area rugs at least once a week with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter, and regularly washing bedding, drapes, and other items that attract allergens can dramatically improve your indoor air quality. Ensure that bathrooms are well ventilated and cleaned regularly. Move potential air contaminants out by using fans in the kitchen to remove cooking fumes. And of course, most of us have forced-air heating and cooling systems, which means we need to change our filters regularly. Consider having filters delivered every three months as a reminder of when it is time for a replacement.

During these unprecedented times, we are reminded of the things we are most grateful for, chief among them are the health and safety of our families and our community. A sustainable and healthy future starts at home. Jewish tradition teaches the importance of caring for the environment, for we must act as partners in preserving creation. If you are interested in supporting Shalom Green, please contact us at info@shalomgreen- CLT.org. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ShalomGreen_CLT and visit our website at www.shalomgreenCLT.org.