Five Good Vibe Must-Haves For Your Living Space

1.  Himalayan Salt Lamp

What are these weird salt lumps, and why should I have one?
Himalayan salt lamps are found in a variety of forms: baskets of crystals heated by candles, chunky votives, or large, hollowed out slabs with a filamented, non-LED bulb (LED bulbs don’t produce enough heat). I’ve even seen small night lights and mini desk versions, complete with USB capabilities.

They’re earthy and produce a soothing warm glow, they’re a fantastic natural light source (you could literally eat it), and you can’t help but feel good around one. The reason? When Himalayan Salt Lamps are exposed to a proper heat source, they generate and deposit negative ions back into our breathing space.

At any given time, both negative and positive ions are present in the air around us. We breathe them in and out all day long, often without much thought. In areas where negative ions are more concentrated than positive ions (they’re most concentrated around moving water i.e. at waterfalls and beaches) these negative ions can have a concentration level of up to 10,000 ions per cubic centimeter. Other places like busy cities, congested highways, and stuffy buildings can have negative ion concentrations as low as 100 ions per cubic centimeter! No thanks, my negative ions and I will be at the beach.

Air conditioning, improper ventilation, and long periods of atmospheric dryness like winter can remove negative ions from the air, so the Himalayan Salt Lamp has come to our rescue and offers two main benefits as both an air purifier and a source of light therapy.

Air Purification
Negative ions, and their magnetic qualities, are important to us as oxygen breathers. These negative ions latch themselves to the positively charged air particles and impurities like dust, pollen, pet dander, and float them down towards the ground, away from our mouths and noses.

In addition, salt is a hygroscopic material. This means, salt has the ability to attract water and polluted molecules from the surrounding air like a magnet. The lamp slowly becomes saturated with water vapor from the surrounding air and the heat source dries up the vapor, continuing the hygroscopic effect as long as the heat source is lit or on. The heat releases clean water vapor back into the atmosphere and holds the contaminants hostage on the salt, so be sure to give your lamp a gentle cleaning once a month, or before you try to lick it to see if I was kidding.

Light Therapy
The Himalayan salt lamps in our are lovingly referred to as “Happy Lamps.”  Studies have shown that negative ions are linked to feelings of refreshed happiness due to it’s connection with serotonin in the brain. Marian Diamond, a professor of neuroanatomy at the University of California, Berkeley, discovered that higher levels of negative ions can actually increase levels of serotonin. For patients who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or just downright winter blues, Himalayan Salt lamps are a great way to chemically bring the outside inside and experience the negative ion rush found in nature.

Blue light waves are some of shortest wavelengths in the visible light spectrum, and they are emitted by both the sun, and by electronic devices with screens such as your tv, laptop and cell phone. Although short in wavelength, blue light has a powerful effect on the human body, as it plays a part in the regulation of our circadian rhythm, or the body’s biological clock.

One Harvard Health Publication mentions, “It’s not exactly clear why nighttime [blue] light exposure seems to be so bad for us. But we do know that exposure to light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that influences circadian rhythms.” Melatonin levels peak at nighttime, which cause physiological changes that promote sleep, such as lower body temperature and a reduced respiration rate.

If I may introduce the color wheel:

Locate the blue pie slices, and you’ll notice the orange slices sit directly opposite. What color helps offset the effects blue light? None other than the soft orange glow produced by your Himalayan salt lamp of course!

As a bonus benefit, placing your salt lamp somewhere near your evening screens will not only help offset the effects of blue light exposure, but also help dissipate the electromagnetic (EM) radiation waves these electronic devices produce. Remember those negative ions? The production of negative ions helps neutralize and rid the surrounding air from these potentially harmful EM waves. Scientists are unsure about the long term effects of EM waves, however consistent EM radiation exposure is linked to chronic fatigue, increased stress levels, and a dampened immune response rate. I’m still going to watch TV and use my laptop, but I think I’ll leave my salt lamp on and use a dimmed screen when possible.

Buyer’s Tips: Look for Himalayan salt lamps with a deep pink, almost orange color as these hues are said to produce more negative ions. Larger salt carvings with a rougher appearance and larger surface area emit a higher quantity of negative ions as well. White Himalayan salt lamps also exist, but they are more rare, expensive and sought after.

2.  Essential Oil Diffuser

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, either inhaled or applied topically, for healing. Essential oils are highly concentrated and are derived from the roots, seeds, leaves or blossoms of plants. Although aromatherapy has been around for roughly 6,000 years, aromatherapy was not considered by scientists until French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé published Guide and Form the Modern Perfumer in 1906. Gattefossé discovered the healing properties of essential lavender oil after he suffered a bad laboratory burn.

Scientists are still unclear about the exact science behind aromatherapy, but there is a highly regarded running theory. The “smelling” receptors in your nose are linked to two specific sections of the brain, the amygdala and the hippocampus. These two areas are the data warehouse for emotional learning and memories. Some researchers believe you may be able to influence your physical, emotional, and mental health when these areas are stimulated by smell.

Regardless of reason, aromatherapy seems to relieve pain, improve mood, and promote a sense of relaxation. Some essential oils like lavender, rose, orange, lemon, and sandalwood have been shown to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression.

Buyer’s Tip:  Amazon has a wide selection of essential oil diffusers; I even found a mini one that plugs into the 12V socket in your car. Be sure to use high quality oils and read your diffuser instructions and best practices.

 

3. Massage Ball

This one seems like a bit of a curveball, but give it a chance (puns!). Our muscles allow us the freedom to bend, twist, and shout.  Muscles are a network of fibers that run from our heads to our toes.  They are flexible, strong, and meant to endure some levels of stress.  However if we sit at a desk all day, drive for long periods, injure ourselves, or if we are often dehydrated, we can lose this natural flexibility and mobility.  Overly stressed muscle fibers will start sticking to each other and form the hard, tight and sometimes lumpy feeling commonly known as a “knot.” Fascia, or the deep connective tissue that wraps the muscles, are also entwined within muscle knots.

Foam rollers are awesome, and I’ve seen them put 300 lb. offensive linebackers in tears, but sometimes they’re not the best option for those hard to reach areas deep in the back, chest, feet, and arms. Massage balls make it easier for us to isolate these knots, sore spots, and problem areas. By using the pressure of your own controlled body weight against the ball, you can begin breaking up the hardened fascia, untangling these knots, alleviating pain and increasing the flow of the blood and lymphatic systems. Sweet relief! And the best part is, you probably already have one laying around.

Buyer’s Tip: Lacrosse balls, tennis balls, and golf balls work just as well as (if not better than) any commercially labeled massage ball. Use a more dense ball for the most intense pressure and on chronic sore spots, a medium density ball for newer injuries, and a golf ball for the feet and arms.

 

4. Humidifier

Most of us live in a climate where we face dry air on a regular basis. Although a cold winter climate is a particular culprit, dry air is also produced by air conditioners in warmer weather as well. The atmosphere’s humidity level, or the amount of water vapor in the air, drops during the colder conditions because cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air.

Low levels of humidity earn a big thumbs down due to three main problems it causes: increased drying effects, increased static electricity, and it makes the air feel cooler than it actually is. Nope.

Why So Dry?
Low humidity levels dry out your skin and mucous membranes. If your home has low humidity, you probably suffer from chapped lips, dry and itchy skin, sinus issues, and a dry sore throat when you wake up in the morning. When the air is too dry, your sinuses don’t drain or function properly, and ENT experts agree adding humidity to the air is generally good for sinus health. Low humidity also targets and dries out our pets, plants, and furniture.

Bonus Tip: Our dog Buddha has dry, sensitive skin (many Vizslas do!), so I rub a little organic coconut oil on her nose if it starts to crack. The oil retains moisture, alleviates her discomfort, and I know she doesn’t mind licking the tasty flavor 🙂

Zap!
Static electricity stinks, and dry air increases your chances of being sparked when you touch something. Static charge is present in both humid and dry conditions, but we tend to notice the static zaps more in a dry climate. When the air is more humid, it’s much easier for the static charge to dissipate before you touch, for instance, a door handle. In humid air, the charge dissipates into the environment through the surrounding air.

Temperature Fake Out
Dry air makes the air seem colder than it actually is, and humid air makes the air seem warmer than it actually is. In highly humid areas, sweat cannot evaporate from your skin making the air feel warmer. In very dry areas, your sweat evaporates quickly, which makes the air feel cooler.

Finding the correct relative humidity level is the key to both health and comfort, and achieving a relative humidity of about 45% is ideal. With temperatures typically found indoors, 45% makes the air feels approximately what the temperature actually indicates, and your skin and lungs won’t dry out or become irritated.

Clean Machine: Be sure to read your machine’s cleaning instructions and change the filters as often as required. Running a humidifier is only beneficial if it is free of bacteria!

 

5. House Plants

Most of us know keeping plants in the home boosts our air quality, but it turns out there’s a whole slew of reasons house plants and humans are such great friends. Houseplants have been studied extensively, and science has identified four main benefits for discovering your own green thumb: plants provide cleaner air, lower our risk of illness, boost our mood and concentration, and promote healing.

One of my earliest memories of middle school science (shudder) was the lesson on photosynthesis. We all learned the same general gist; humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, whereas plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

The chemical process of photosynthesis occurs during daylight hours, but what happens at night when plants are in the dark? Plants are way more dynamic than I originally realized.  When no light is present, photosynthesis stops, and most plants actually revert to absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.  Although houseplants cannot produce enough carbon dioxide to harm us while we are sleeping, some types of plants such as orchids, succulents and epiphytic bromeliads flip this traditional script and keep the oxygen flowing at night. In the absence of light for these special plants, the compounds formed during photosynthesis are synthesized into proteins and oxygen becomes a by-product, so I’d suggest keeping these in your bedroom.  Plus, succulents are so hot right now.

 

Remember our old pal humidity? Both indoor and outdoor plants have humidification properties due to a process called transpiration. Transpiration is a generally invisible process where moisture is carried through plants from the roots to small pores on the underside of leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released to the atmosphere. According to the USGS, transpiration actually accounts for about 10% of the moisture in the atmosphere. Transpiration from house plants decreases the incidence of dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs. Interestingly, a study lead by climatologists from Oregon State University indicates higher absolute humidity levels are linked to decreased survival and transmission of the flu virus.

House plants also help improve air quality by removing trace amounts of toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. According to NASA, who has spent a lot of time and dollars researching air quality in sealed environments, the top ten plants for removing air pollutants are: Peace lily, golden pothos, English ivy, chrysanthemum, gerbera daisy, snake plant, bamboo palm, azalea, red-edge dracaena and spider plant.

Have friends with a green thumb? Ask if they have any plant babies to share with you! Many of the greens in our home right now are plant babies from our friends and families; in fact our aloe plant is older than we are!

Green Thumb Pro Tip: Be sure to check pet safety before bringing any plants home.  Some plants, like Lily of the Valley, are incredibly toxic to animals. Still unsure? Check out this list from the ASPCA.