Home is a safe and comforting space for the majority of individuals, but unbeknownst to many there are features that can pose serious health hazards. Hidden hazards can contribute towards chronic stress, poor health and harmful injuries. Fixing these hidden hazards doesn’t require expensive renovations, but it’s about smart, simple and supportive choices in design and furniture. This blog will explore the biggest hidden physical and mental health hazards in the home and how to easily resolve them.
Health Impacts of Non-Ergonomic Home Furniture
Alongside the rise of working from home many individuals spend long hours sitting in unsupportive chairs and working from non-ergonomic surfaces in their home. Over time use of non-ergonomic furniture can lead to chronic back pain, neck strains, headaches and even poor circulation, all of which can contribute to poor mental well-being.
To prevent these injuries, it is highly important to invest in adjustable and supportive seating, not just in the office but for any room where long periods of sitting occur. An ergonomic office chair and desk provide the correct support to prevent injuries and ensure improved productivity and concentration throughout when working. Furthermore, investing in supportive sofas and chairs for your living space will ensure that you can watch TV for long periods whilst preventing further injury and back pain. It is important to note that moving around frequently is also crucial for preventing injuries, so make sure to regularly take breaks and walk around.
Reduce Clutter and Improve Mental Well-being
Excessive visual clutter and disorganisation can create mental stress and reduce concentration, making the home feel less restorative. Constant stress from clutter can lead to reduced productivity, anxiety and difficulty relaxing. Keeping an organised, clutter-free and clean home is a crucial component of a stress-free life.
To make your home more organised you can improve the design of your space using zoning. Clever furniture placement can be used to define distinct areas for work, rest and activity. Defining specific areas of the home can prevent items from being left in random places and contributing towards general mess. It can also provide capacity limits and identify items that don’t belong in the space, encouraging decluttering.
Furthermore, investing in smart integrated storage solutions will help to keep surfaces clear. This can be particularly beneficial in-home offices where shelving units and cabinets can be used to store paper, stationary and important documents. In particular, archive boxes are ideal for storing and organising old documents, so you don’t have to spend hours searching for lost paperwork. In living rooms open shelving can be used for both aesthetics and practicality by storing books, DVDs or miscellaneous items, whilst also displaying decorative objects, like candles, ornaments and photos.
Unaddressed Health Needs and Home Accessibility
Ignoring minor physical discomforts or failing to prepare the home for support needs can lead to health problems in the future. For instance, not investing in specific seating needs or medical equipment and failing to install accessibility features in your home can worsen minor conditions, risk injuries and lead to unnecessary daily friction.
Investing in simple daily living aids and supportive furniture can make everyday life easier for older individuals or those with existing medical conditions. Installing a sturdy bedside rail, supportive and stable seating or shower stools and grab rails, can make daily life much easier by taking extra strain off the body and ensuring maximum comfort. Furthermore, daily living aids are highly important for ensuring safety within the home as they prevent injuries from trips and falls.
Furthermore, rest and recovery are highly important for both your mental and physical health, so investing in high-quality bedroom furniture is vital for ensuring maximum comfort. An unsupportive mattress or bed frame can lead to chronic neck and back pain due to poor spinal alignment when sleeping. This can have huge impacts on your quality of sleep, resulting in fatigue, poor concentration and stress. It is important to listen to your body and consult professionals when chronic issues arise.
Outdoor Safety
Prioritising safety in your garden is just as important as fixing hidden health hazards in the interior of your home. Hidden hazards in a garden are not always obvious at first glance so a quick safety sweep of your outdoor space can be highly beneficial.
When spotting hidden hazards identify areas that can be trip hazards and result in significant injuries. For instance, looking for uneven paving, moss or algae-covered paths and decking or loose gravel. Decking can be particularly hazardous in winter as leaves, moss and algae can accumulate on the surface of the decking creating extremely slippery surfaces. Cleaning your decking regularly, adding anti-slip foot grips and installing hand rails around your decking can significantly reduce the likelihood of injuries.
Furthermore, it is just as important to check for toxic plants or shrubs in your garden, especially if you have small children or pets. Toxic plants can be particularly harmful if ingested or touched so they must be removed immediately. Similarly, overgrown bushes and trees should be trimmed regularly to prevent property damage and improve safety. Overgrown vegetation can block pathways and create trip hazards, as well as increasing the likelihood of damage during a storm.
Small, thoughtful changes at home, such as investing in ergonomic seating, improving organisation and reducing clutter, and integrating simple accessibility aids, can go a long way in preventing chronic pain, stress and injuries. By addressing discomfort, prioritising rest and recovery and investing in supportive furniture and design, the home can shift from a source of hidden strain to a foundation for long-term physical and mental health.
