Environmental Determinants of Health
If a flower doesn’t bloom, do you blame the seed or the environment it was planted in?
In many ways, we’re not that different from plants.
Environmental factors play a significant role in determining an individual's health and well-being.
Remember, your body is a beautiful work of machinery that will respond differently to various stressors based on how well it’s operating at baseline.
5 Environmental Factors That Can Impact Health:
Air Quality: Poor air quality, caused by pollutants and contaminants, can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and cardiovascular issues.
Invest in a quality air purifier.
Water Quality: Contaminated water sources can result in waterborne diseases, such as cholera and dysentery, and affect overall health.
While we may not be getting cholera or dysentery from our water in the U.S. there are chemical compounds from items we use in daily life that are bleeding into our water supply.
To learn more about different types of water filtration systems, click here.
Noise Pollution: Prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels can lead to stress, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and cardiovascular problems.
The use of soft ear plugs to dampen sound can be useful to reduce noises you don’t have control over.
If the noise is during waking hours and it’s appropriate, you could choose to listen to music to replace the noise pollution. Listening to music you enjoy can reduce stress levels and have a cardioprotective effect.
Access to Green Spaces: Limited access to parks, gardens, and natural environments can impact mental health, stress levels, and physical activity levels.
If you’re unable to spend as much time in natural sunlight/green environments, consider bringing greenery into your home. There are a variety of low attention annual plants that can improve mental health, reduce stress levels, and improve the air quality in your home!
Chemical Exposure: Exposure to harmful chemicals found in pesticides, industrial waste, and household products can lead to various health problems, including cancer, hormonal imbalances, and developmental issues.
When possible, it’s recommended to use cleaning products with green/organic ingredients, especially for your kitchen surfaces!
These wipes are my favorite item for cleaning at home and on-the-go for green cleaning.