Are Your Kids Missing School?

Did you know that asthma in children is on the rise, resulting in a lot of missed school days?

(According to the latest statistics, more than 25 million people are affected.)

That’s a lot!

The likely culprit might surprise you even more – toxins in the environment.

Yes, you read that correctly.

The rise in asthma has been specifically correlated to a group of chemicals commonly referred to as VOC’s. (That stands for Volatile Organic Compounds).

Even the word volatile sounds scary, doesn’t it?

You might be wondering what that even means.

Well, you know how, when food has gone bad, it typically has a rather awful smell?

Think of VOC’s in the environment as being the household equivalent to rotten food.

So, just as you wouldn’t eat food that has obviously seen better days (gluten-free, or not) you really don’t want to surround yourself with chemicals that poison the air you breathe.

In fact, we now know that indoor air pollution can actually be 50% worse than outdoor air.

Again, that’s a very high percentage.

Which is why paying attention to your child’s sleep environment is such a great place to start!

While statistics show that at least 57% of school-age children are sleep deprived, what we’re talking about here goes beyond just making sure they are getting enough sleep!

Let’s say your children are, in fact, sleep deprived.

If you add toxins and food allergies to the mix, they are at an even greater disadvantage.

So how do you ensure adequate sleep, aside from sending them to bed at an appropriate time?

First, make sure their bedroom is as dark as can be – even when using a night light.

Next, if you’re redecorating, be sure to use non-toxic paints on the walls and preferably non-toxic carpeting on the floor.

That way, you can rest assured they are breathing safe, clean air.

(This is where I get to put on my interior designer cap, and share not only my years of experience as a designer, but also my familiarity with many different products).

Toxins are found everywhere, by the way, not just paint and carpets.

The following items are all on the ‘suspect’ list: furniture and fabric, paints and household finishes – adhesives, wood, fabric finishes, and cleaning products.

While it’s true that under normal conditions our bodies detoxify naturally – for the average person living on our planet today, it’s just about impossible to keep up with the daily build-up, based on what we’re typically exposed to.

The good news? (Yes, there’s always good news).

Alternate, healthier choices are available for almost everything.

And many of these changes are so easy-to-implement, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.

That’s just one more reason why I’m committed to exploring every part of your environment – in addition to your diet – so your health is really supported on every level!

If you’re ready to learn even more, and upgrade your home to a whole new level – check out my brand new online, Self-Study program and toolkit, the LIVING GREEN BLUEPRINT – A DIY Interior Design Manual for the Home!