Living a healthy life isn’t just about the #BodyGoals or our eating habits — though don’t get us wrong, they still play a significant role! However, creating a healthier lifestyle also means maintaining an environment of wellness in our living spaces. 

If being healthier is on your list of resolutions or priorities, this year, we got you. Let’s all live our best, healthiest lives this year with some home transformation tips for 2024! 

A Clean Entryway

As Pinoys, we all know the importance of removing our outside shoes to keep us from bringing dirt and potentially harmful toxins into our homes. Create a cleaner, more convenient space in your entryway by placing seating where you can comfortably put on and take off your shoes and ample shoe storage to clear the area of clutter. This extra seating can also help those who wipe their pets’ feet after walks outside.

For those with an extensive collection of shoes, you can consider stackable shoe racks, as Kapitbahay Hazel recommends. As both storage and a display stand, these shoe racks are great ways to stay organized and clean while showing off your favorite kicks — swak sa mga ka-sneakerhead dyan! 

Enhance Natural Light

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again — natural light is a must in any home. Not only does sunlight give us that much-needed vitamin D, but it also helps us regulate our sleeping patterns and can have positive psychological benefits. Let natural light and all the good vibes flow in by clearing obstructions by your windows and using sheer curtains. 

Improve Air Quality

ICYMI, our indoor air can also get polluted, especially if we never open our windows. Promote healthy living by improving the air quality within our homes, as it can significantly impact our health and cause irritations like headaches and allergies. 

Allow fresh air to circulate through your living space, especially in areas where you spend most of your time, such as your living room, home office, or bedroom. You can also help move stale air through exhaust fans and other ventilation systems. 

Another method of boosting air quality is using air purifiers, as they help remove pollutants and dust that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

Kapitbahay Mary vouches for the Kanazawa air purifier, which comes with UV light sterilization, sleep mode functions, a timer, and a remote control. Plus, its sleek white design will slip perfectly into your #TeamPuti aesthetic! 

It would help if you also considered humidity, as high humidity can lead to mold growth. Use dehumidifiers to maintain a healthy humidity level (between 30% and 50%).  

Healthy Kitchen Design

Eating nutritious food is a given for a healthy lifestyle, but so is how your kitchen is designed. A kitchen you feel encouraged to work in is more conducive to preparing food at home — tipid na rin sa delivery!

Create a ‘work triangle,’ typically between your refrigerator, sink, and cooktop, where you can easily access items for food preparation. This way, you’ll have adequate counter space and can conveniently grab things as needed without moving around too much. Having an organized workspace that is easy to keep track of and is free of clutter may also help take the mental load off of cooking to help you craft your meals. 

Quality appliances and cookware are also essential factors in creating a healthy kitchen. For example, you can look for refrigerators with dual evaporators or compressors, which help keep food fresh longer. You can also consider cast iron or stainless steel pots and pans, as some non-stick pans may emit toxic fumes if overheated. 

For cast iron frying pans, Kapitbahay Louie shared this piece from Chef’s Classics, which is hefty, durable, pre-seasoned (though Louie recommends seasoning it again), oven-safe, and easy to clean — just wipe away the dirt and pray with oil! 

Ventilation is another thing to look out for, as smoke, odors, steam, and even airborne grease can affect indoor air quality.

Encourage Physical Activity

Galaw-galaw naman tayo this year! Being active is essential to improving your overall mental and physical well-being. If you have the space for it, we recommend dedicating a spot in your home for exercise. While having a full-blown home gym may not be feasible for those living in closer quarters, it would still be good to consider having basic equipment, such as yoga mats and weights, in your home for days when you can’t squeeze some gym time into your schedule.

You can even consider investing in a walking pad like Kapitbahay Ardine for easy exercise you can do within the comforts of your home. Pwede pa gamitin while working o habang nagti-TikTok — o diba? Convenient kung convenient!

Upgrade Your Workspace

Sitting for long periods can cause aches and pains in our bodies. Standing desks can help with fatigue, improving your energy and the way you work. 

Mayora Frances shared her standing desk from FlexiSpot Philippines, which is a great option to consider as it’s motorized and can be adjusted to the exact height you need when standing and sitting.

However, when you want to sit, we recommend finding a comfortable ergonomic desk chair with proper back and neck support to help maintain a healthy working posture. To keep your hands and wrists from aching, you can also throw in a wrist rest and an ergonomic mouse — instrumental if your work requires constant typing. 

Quality Sleep is Key

Sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, poor concentration and memory, mood imbalances, and more physical (and psychological!) challenges. One cause of sleep deprivation may be our use of gadgets and electronics. Ika nga ni Mama, “Kaka-computer mo yan.” Charot! 

As much fun as it is to doom-scroll on the Internet until the wee hours of the morning, we need to recognize when to put our gadgets away to encourage deep, restful sleep. The rule of thumb is to turn off all electronic devices at least an hour before sleeping to help signal our bodies that it’s time to wind down. Consider having a dedicated place away from reach to put your electronics before heading to bed.  

Another way to ensure restful sleep is to invest in quality bedding. Explore beddings made of breathable materials, such as cotton or bamboo, as these can help regulate body temperature and keep you from overheating through the night. Investing in hypoallergenic mattresses and pillowcases that create a barrier against dust mites and other allergens may also help boost sleep.

If you’re looking for a bedding set recommendation, Kapitbahay Denise shared bamboo bed sheets from Uncommodity we think you’ll love. Because the fabric is made from bamboo, these sheets are silky smooth, antibacterial, and gentle on the skin. 

Improving home design can also be a big help in getting more restful sleep through the night. For example, having your bedroom located away from shared spaces, such as the kitchen and living room, can help reduce the noise. You can also consider noise reduction or soundproofing materials, rugs, and curtains to help block outside noise for more sound sleep. 

Connect with Nature

Spending time in natural environments is known to help regulate our emotions and reduce stress. Green spaces in or near your home, whether your outdoor garden, a nearby park, or even indoor plants, can spruce up your space’s aesthetic and uplift your mood. 

If you have space for plants, make full use of it! Having a garden to tend to in your yard or even your balcony can be a great way to connect to nature, even in dense residential areas. Installing large windows to see the trees outside can also be a big boost. 

Do you have other tips to share with the Kapitbahays? Share your thoughts on the Home Buddies Facebook group!

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