3 Easy Ways to Make a Room More Breathable

​|Have you been noticing yourself sneezing frequently, or rubbing your eyes from irritation? It might be due to the allergens in the room you're in at the moment. Allergens are small particles that can be found in a variety of sources, such as dust mite excretion, pollen, pet dander or even more sinister environmental sources like mold. Even if you don't have an allergic reaction, you can still be negatively impacted by allergens in the air.

Luckily, there are some simple ways of combating these allergens so that you can live a happier and healthier life. I would recommend that before you try out the suggestions in these posts, that you make sure that your home is safe and have any severe allergen causing issues resolved, like for example damp walls and mold. This can be a serious health hazard to you and your family!

Free Download: Essential Oils For Emotional Wellness

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3 Easy Ways to Make a Room More Breathable

Let's now explore three easy ways you can make your room and home fresher, more breathable and a healthy place you want to hang out in!

1. Add Plants

Did you know that there are actually some plants that can help to purify the air in a room? According to the David Suzuki Foundation, "indoor plants can also absorb contaminants like benzene and formaldehyde (a known carcinogen)... research also show[s] that plant-filtered rooms have 50 to 60 per cent less airborne microbes, like mold spores and bacteria". Incredible!

So which plants can actually help you to breath easier? Try out these varieties that are actually quite easy to take care of, as well: spider plants, peace lilies, snake plants, elephant ears, weeping figs, rubber plants, bamboo palms.

Head to your local plant store or greenery and ask for some tips about which plants would be the best to have in your room. Also be careful when you have pets as some plants (eg. lilies) can be harmful to animals if ingested.

You might be thinking "but aren't plastic plants easier and just as nice looking?" - sure, artificial plants might require a lot less time to nurture and care for, but they are also dust magnets (adding more allergens to your room) and there is something about tending to nature that can help increase a mindful state. Try it out!

Related: 3 Creative Ways to Make a Home You Love

2. Use An Air Purifier

​Living in a small space with two furry friends is not always easy, or the most hygienic. Even with frequent vacuuming, there is usually tufts of cat hair floating around any given room in my apartment. And while I love having pets and wouldn't change it for the world (in fact, if we had a larger space I'm certain we would have more), it can be important to find ways to purify the air and mitigate and allergens that can occur from co-existing with our two precious cats.

I had heard of others talk about using air purifiers and also noticed other bloggers talking about the benefits of these systems, but since I had personally never used an air purifier myself, I was a bit clueless at where to start looking for one that would suit me the best. After a quick Google search, I noticed that Levoit Air Purifiers had consistently great reviews, plus their units were aesthetically pleasing and portable, so I decided to try one out.

I set my budget around $100 CAD and at just under $70 CAD, the Levoit Personal HEPA Air Purifier LV126 was the perfect fit with it's compact size for any room in my small apartment. After using it for the past few months mostly in my bedroom, I have noticed a difference in that the air seems fresher and more breathable, which was the main goal of this purchase. I would recommend trying out an air purifier yourself if you are finding your homes air as fresh and breathable as you would like.

There are many air purifiers to choose from including larger ones that can cover a greater square footage, to ones with automatic settings so that you can set it and forget it. Depending on your room or needs, you will want to choose the air purifier that suits your space the best.

I have enjoyed using my air purifier so much that I even have my eyes set on my next air purifier purchase - a Himalayan Salt Lamp for my bedside table. Not only does it give off a calming glow, it's natural properties are also believed to clean the air in your home, soothe allergies, boost your mood and help you sleep. I just think it looks beautiful and would add a great accent to my room!

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3. Try Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy, "also referred to as essential oil therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process".

Basically it's a way to make the air in your room smell heavenly, while also helping you to unwind and relax. Kind of like if you have ever been to a spa and felt that sense of calmness and euphoria wash over you.. they probably had some aromatherapy going!

​Also check out: A Guide to Using a Nebulizing Diffuser for Essential Oils

There are a few different ways you can create your own aromatherapy zen in your own room, such as adding some essential oils to a diffuser, lighting some incense candles, or simply adding some fresh aromatic herbs around your room that you can also cook with to release even more of their aromas into the air.

Some benefits of using aromatherapy practices to make your room include:
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• reduce difficult emotions including stress or anxiety
• increase benefits of mindfulness practices
• help with insomnia/sleeping issues
• relieve headaches/migraines
• support healthy breathing
• reduce nasal congestion​
• uplift mood

Related: Essential Oils - For Aromatherapy

Hopefully you are loving these three ways to make your room more breathable. Be sure to try them out if you feel you could benefit from a fresher environment at home but also remember to get plenty of fresh air, as well.

Are there other ways you have found to create a more breathable living space? Share your experience and tips in the comments below to share with others!

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