Over the past 3 months, wildfires have raged across the western regions of the United States, destroying land and compromising air quality across the country. This is an alarming trend around the world right now.
I live in Colorado, and we’re noticing a huge difference in the air and sky when we walk out our front door. It isn’t the fresh mountain air we’re used to.
Now, more than ever, we need to keep our bodies and minds healthy. Poor air quality is not only linked to respiratory and heart diseases but also poor mental health and productivity. These toxins can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the lungs, heart, kidney, and liver.
Symptoms as simple as headaches, dizziness, sneezing, and congestion are all signs that you’re suffering from poor air quality. And I’m not just talking about outdoor air quality. Indoor air quality can be two to five times worse than the air quality outside.
Scary, I know.
We can’t control the outdoor elements, but we can take steps to protect ourselves. Here are 3 easy ways to eliminate toxins and purify the air you breathe.
1) Replace The Filter On Your AC And Furnace Regularly
One of the best things you can do to improve the air quality in your home is to change the filter on your air conditioner, furnace and other ventilation systems. Pollutants including smoke, dust, pollen, and animal dander (also called particulate matter) can build up and clog your air filter.
A dirty filter allows polluted air to pass through, meaning that harmful toxins come into your home and the air you breathe. This can be particularly dangerous for individuals who suffer from asthma or allergies.
In addition to preventing clean air from circulating, dirty filters can cause dust to build up in vents which creates a breeding ground for mold and fungal bacteria. Breathing this for extended periods of time can lead to long-term health side effects.
Change your filter every 60 to 90 days. The age of your HVAC system, if you have pets, where you live, and if someone resides in the house who has health concerns or allergies will determine the exact frequency it needs to be done.
It’s easy to get caught up with the hustle and bustle of life and forget important tasks such as changing the air filter. Try setting a reminder on your phone. Or make a note on the calendar. Leave extra filters in sight so they serve as a reminder.
This little tip can do wonders for indoor air quality and your health.
2) Check the Air Quality Index in Your County
(If in the US, use www.airnow.gov. If you live in other regions around the world, try to find a similar website near you.)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) here in the United States releases daily safety ratings that give us a standard measurement of the quality of the air. This is called the air quality index (AQI), and it can be obtained for any given state.
The EPA bases their measurement on five major air pollutants: particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Ground-level ozone and particle pollution are the two main culprits for poor air quality.
Ground-level ozone includes smog, and particle pollution consists of dirt, dust, smoke, and soot. The exact particles that are so prevalent in today’s air.
AQI is reported using a color and number system with 6 levels. An AQI value between 0 to 50 falls in the green level and poses no risk to us. Anything above that comes with warnings.
If the AQI is bad, limit outdoor activities and steer clear of the harmful air toxins. When the air quality is poor and you spend time outdoors, you’re not only breathing in the toxins, you’re also taking a chance of bringing them into your home and contaminating your indoor air quality.
3) Diffuse Your Air with Essential Oils
Essential oils make your house smell good, and they improve the quality of your air. That’s right, they can control odor and kill germs! Studies have shown that some essential oils purify air by preventing the growth of airborne bacteria while reducing microbial contamination.
Two of my favorite essential oils are tea tree and eucalyptus. Clinical studies have found that when diffused into the air, tea tree and eucalyptus oils have the ability to kill airborne flu germs.
Citrus oils, such as lemon or orange, are also airborne germ destroyers. The high levels of limonene prevent mold and fungal bacteria that often builds up in vents and filters, especially during the moist, humid months.
Zapping these airborne germs can fight off colds and greatly improve respiratory issues.
Clean air is essential to healthy lungs and a healthy life.
My Favorite Way To Enhance The Air In Our House
To help purify the air in our home, we turn to a turbo air purifier that is proven to instantly improve the air we’re breathing.
It’s called the AirDoctor and as soon as I turn it on, I immediately notice a difference in my home’s air quality. No more sneezing or congestion.
Learn more about this game-changing air purifier here
Unlike other air purifiers that only remove a small fraction of the dangerous particles from your home, AirDoctor is able to remove ALL toxins, pollutants, and even dangerous gases from the indoor air you breathe.
It includes many air-cleansing features like:
- An auto-mode that monitors the air for you
- A filter alert that notifies you when a new filter is needed
- Super quiet fans
- A sealed system that prevents air from escaping
If you suffer from allergies or experience headaches, nausea, or eye, nose, and throat irritation that isn’t linked to other health conditions, give the AirDoctor a try.
The AirDoctor team is giving The Sacred Science tribe a special HUGE discount plus FREE shipping on your very own AirDoctor.
Stay curious,
Nick Polizzi
Host of Proven: Healing Breakthroughs Backed By Science
& Founder of The Sacred Science
5 Responses
Some good advice, Thank you. However, at 81, with COPD and MCS the essential,oils, as much research like Dr. Anne Steinemann points out, and I have much researched ,are quite toxic. Others have also learned about the severe danger to pets. That factor might be found also online with folks like Dr. Karen Becker. Whenever there are claims made in two directions it is best to research both the sources and the effects, whether claims for health or for danger.
Thanks for the feedback!
Hi Nick and team,
I enjoy reading your blogs- I always read them and I was just wondering where you get the ideas for them! I found this one interesting. For starters, this comment: Symptoms as simple as headaches, dizziness, sneezing, and congestion are all signs that you’re suffering from poor air quality.
I think I have congestion from a cavitation from an old root canal. But your wording implies that all congestion is from poor air quality. That’s it, no other possibilities. 🙂
For me, it can’t be from my furnace or ac because I have neither in my house. And we built our house very carefully, avoiding as many things that out-gas as possible. I know I am unusual in that regard. But still, look out for all-inclusive statements.
Cheers, Mary
Anyone who owns pets needs to be very careful with essential oils. Many are poisonous to one type of pet or another when inhaled. Always check with a veterinarian before using any essential oils around pets!
Just a warning about tea tree oil and pets. Tea tree oil is toxic to dogs and can seriously impair their cognitive function. Please take care using around pets.