Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, most people spend most of their time in their homes. It is a way to prevent the spread of the virus and protect themselves and other people. But are you completely safe even if you stay indoors?
Is Your Home Safe for Your Health?
Do you know that people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors? Indoor environments, however, have two to five times higher concentrations of some pollutants compared to outdoor environments. In recent decades, several factors have increased indoor concentrations of some pollutants. These factors include higher use of synthetic building materials, personal care products, household cleaners, and pesticides, among others.
Maintaining good indoor air quality is one way to keep your home healthy. It affects the comfort in your home and has an impact on your and your family’s health. Exposure to indoor pollutants can cause several health problems, including headaches, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. The effects depend on the person’s sensitivity to the pollutants.
Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently admitted Coronavirus is airborne. As early as April 2020, aerosol researchers warned medical agencies that airborne transmission is possible. A few months later, some claimed it was the dominant route of the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also explains COVID-19 can spread anywhere. Having close contact with other people, spending time in crowded places, or staying in spaces with poor ventilation increases your exposure to the virus. When you go out, you’re likely to bring home the virus.
Social distancing and staying at home are some recommended ways to prevent the spread of the virus. Even if you spend most of your time at home, you’re still likely to get COVID-19 and other health problems.
Staying Healthy While at Home
Your home is supposed to be a place where you should feel the safest, especially against diseases. There are several ways to keep yourself healthy while at home, from maintaining your indoor air quality to eating healthy meals.
1. Maintain healthy indoor air quality
Having a healthy home starts with the air quality you inhale while indoors. Keeping good indoor air quality protects you against health problems caused by air pollutants. When promoting good indoor air quality, it’s important to introduce outdoor air through natural ventilation, heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC).
Cleaning your air ducts regularly also helps reduce disease-causing air particles. If air ducts have visible mold growth inside hard surfaces or on other components, are infested with vermin, or are clogged with massive amounts of dust, air duct cleaning is necessary to make your home healthier. It can also improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
2. Keep your home clean
Another way to protect yourself against diseases is to keep your home free from germs and bacteria that cause illnesses, like COVID-19. Make sure to clean your home regularly and properly, particularly during a pandemic. Health experts said SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can stay on surfaces for days.
Using disinfectants and cleaning procedures can help remove such virus material and other types of bacteria and viruses. It’s vital to know how to clean specific areas of your home to make it more effective. Some areas of your home may require a specific cleaning technique and cleaning product to remove germs. Each part of your home might contain different types of bacteria, depending on its use.
3. Stay active and eat healthy meals
Since the pandemic started, many people are working and studying at home. Due to this sudden shift, many became less active and have adopted unhealthy eating habits. Fitness centers are also closed as part of the efforts to prevent the spread of the virus. That’s why some people are not exercising as often as they used to before the pandemic.
Staying active and eating healthy meals is vital even if you’re at home most of the time, especially during a health crisis. Regular exercise will make your body stronger and protects you against health problems. You should also get the right nutrition so that your body functions properly.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge threat to people, taking away millions of lives worldwide. Thankfully, vaccines are already available. This crisis emphasizes the importance of practicing proper hygiene and keeping your home clean. Even if the pandemic is over, make sure to keep your home a healthy place to protect you and your family against any disease. Stay active and get enough nutrients to boost your immunity.
