Your new carpet, toasty towels, or freshly painted bedroom are among a few things that could make you sick.

Here’s a quick look at 10 of the more common household toxins, and what you can do to get rid them.

1. Dare to Bare

You can start by removing shoes before entering your home. Toxicologists have proved that leaving shoes at the door will help keep out toxins such as lawn pesticides and factory chemicals, that travel as minute particles.

2. Toss the Teflon

Sure, Teflon certainly helps make cleaning up easier, but when subjected to high heat the non-stick coatings create toxic fumes that pollute the air. The Environmental Working Group published a report that found at least six toxic gases are emitted including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA (a chemical lethal to humans at low doses) were found. Another reason to go back to grandma’s cast iron.

If you shop Amazon.com through the Environmental Working Group, they will receive a percentage of the proceeds.

3. Ditch the Weed Killers

When caring for your lawn, opt for companies such as EarthEasy and check out Safelawns.org.

4. Clean and Green Laundry

Choose natural laundry detergents such as Soap Nuts or Seventh Generation, and avoid chemical laden dryer sheets that spew toxins onto your clothing and into your home.

5. Avoid VOC’s

According to the United States Geological Survey, a federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment, many volatile organic compounds are man-made compounds, typically industrial solvents or by-products often in petroleum fuels, paint, paint thinners and dry cleaning agents. They’re also common ground-water contaminants. If you’re planning of some home renovation, look for low VOC paint for better air quality.

6. Go Natural with Furniture

Opt out of stain-guards as they contain Perfluorinated (PFCs) which are toxic to wildlife, producing reproductive, developmental and systemic effects in laboratory tests.

7. Filter Drinking Water

While the majority of our water does meet safety standards, the EPA provides a list of common contaminants, and information on home water treatment units to improve taste and remove heavy metals. Pitcher filters that stay in the refrigerator are also a good, and less expensive, option. Be sure to change filters as suggested by the manufacturer.

8. Rid the Radon

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon, a radioactive gas, comes from a natural breakdown of the earth, and can infiltrate any home that is situated in an area that contains it. One of the most important precautionary measures that you can take is purchasing a home radon test kit.

9. Check for Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide kills hundreds of Americans every year. Not only can it be a result of automobile exhaust, but also from gas furnaces. To reduce your risk of exposure the EPA recommends:

– Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
– Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an un-vented one.
– Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
– Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
– Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
– Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
– Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
– Do not idle the car inside garage.

10. Home Air Quality 101

Air pollution is responsible for everything from allergies to serious illnesses. A few ways to rid your home of particles that can include pesticides and chemicals is to:

– Kill off dust bunnies, which can contain microscopic toxins
– Replace wall to wall carpeting with area rugs
– Look for HEPA filter vacuum cleaners (High Efficiency Particle Absorption) which keep debris sealed tightly a multilayer filter bag and exhausts through a filter before re-entering into your home.
– Consider purchasing a home HEPA filter. HEPA filters, by definition, remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers (µm) in diameter.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. The original post can be found here.

Image: thekitchendesigner

The post 10 Quick Ways to Detox Your House appeared first on EcoSalon.

Remember how much fun it was to shoot watermelon pits out of your mouth as a kid? Who knew then that you were also building up an arsenal of amino acids to fight pre-hypertension, a precursor to cardiovascular disease.

Sweet, low-calorie, high in fiber, and nutrient rich watermelon (which is in season from late July through November) is now a hot topic in medicine with data coming out of Florida State University. Evidence from a pilot study led by food scientists is suggesting that watermelon can be an effective natural weapon, in keeping with the theory of food as medicine. It’s also noteworthy to mention that this is the first investigation of its kind being studied on humans.

FSU Assistant Professor Arturo Figueroa and Professor Bahram H. Arjmandi found that when six grams of the amino acids L-citrulline/L-arginine from watermelon extract were administered daily for six weeks, there was improved function in the arteries, which in turn caused lower aortic blood pressure in all nine of the pre-hypertensive subjects (four men and five postmenopausal women, ages 51-57).

Taking L-arginine as a dietary supplement isn’t an option for many hypertensive adults, says Figueroa, because it can cause nausea, gastrointestinal tract discomfort, and diarrhea.

In addition to the vascular benefits, watermelon provides abundant vitamin A, B6, C, fiber, potassium and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Findings from Figueroa’s latest pilot study at Florida State are described in the American Journal of Hypertension.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, so start slicing. And here are a few recipes to get you started, from a Mediterranean Watermelon Salad to Grilled Scallop and Watermelon Kabobs.

For more information on heart disease visit the American Heart Association.

The post Watermelon Battles High Blood Pressure appeared first on EcoSalon.

Sleep under the stars, from the comfort of your own bed? While some may call it cheating, others find it brilliant, including me.

Yurts are round tent/cabin structures, a contemporary form of the shelters used by central Asian nomads. They can be equipped with a sink, electric outlets, and a gas fireplace – great for people who want to go camping in theory, but not entirely. I recently stayed in a yurt at the Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California during a family drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. It was absolutely fantastic!

Treebones, a village of 16 yurts that run completely off-grid, is owned and run by husband and wife team Corrine and John Handy. John spent 23 years at Mattel, where he rose to senior vice president of product design, and three with Playmates Toys, where he discovered and marketed the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. After two decades of life in Los Angeles John and Corrine moved to Big Sur, where they built, and now run Treebones.

“We explored every form of building, from tents to straw bale houses,” says John.

After sharing their vision with friends and family, John’s parents reported on a yurt that they saw in Bandon State Park, Oregon. The Handys ordered one yurt in 1995 and gave it a test drive.

“We experimented with different furnishings, and invited friends to stay as pretend guests,” says Corrine. “We discovered that people liked the round structure and being comfortable.”

The original plan was to use wood burning stoves, but they found that gas fireplaces connected to timers were more convenient. Bathrooms are located in two central areas.

A sustainable resort, Treebones is always experimenting with low-energy consumption machines such as microturbines, low-emissions generators, and variable frequency drive pumps.

“Exhaust goes into a heat exchanger to heat the water for the pool, Jacuzzi, showers, radiant floors in the restrooms and main lodge,” says John.

There also use low-flow showerheads, light sensors, LED and CFL bulbs, and organic hand-made soap that are in the bathrooms (without paper wrappers) and all of the yurt sinks. The latest experiment is an Air Blade, a high-powered force of air that dries hands without the need for paper towels.

An organic garden on the grounds grows vegetables and goods that are prepared for guests (the on-site restaurant is fantastic). Most food is local, including all of the desserts and baked goods. A serious recycling and composting program is in place as giving the staff a holistic experience is a priority for Corrine.

“The workers are a huge part of the area and community,” says Corrine. “With a more sustainable circle in their lives, everyone gains.”

Treebones is also a member of WWOOF USA (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms).

In addition to the 16 yurts there is a “Human Nest” that visitors can sleep in, which has panoramic views of the mountains, and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The nest was designed and built by local artist Jayson Fann.

So you want to stay in a yurt, but won’t be in Big Sur? Check out yurt rentals across the USA.

The post Going Away? Try an Off-the-Grid Yurt appeared first on EcoSalon.

Blueberries and blackberries have topped the charts for their antioxidant qualities, but hovering at $5 a  pound, they have to scream “Buy Me” a little louder than most produce on the farm stand. Now foodies have a healthy and inexpensive alternative: Black rice.

At the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Zhimin Xu, Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in Baton Rouge, La., reported: “Just a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health-promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar and more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants.”

Black rice, like many richly colored fruit, contains anthocyanin antioxidants, which have been shown to stave off heart disease and some cancers. When the outer husks of black rice are removed, it becomes brown rice. When the underlying bran from brown rice is removed, the rice becomes white.

The bran of brown rice contains high levels of the vitamin E compound gamma-tocotrienol as well as gamma-oryzanol antioxidants. Numerous studies have shown that these antioxidants can reduce levels of LDLs (bad cholesterol).

According to an American Chemical Society press release, Xu and colleagues believe food manufacturers could potentially use black rice bran or the bran extracts, to boost the health value of breakfast cereals, beverages, baked goods, and and more.

Xu said: “If berries are used to boost health, why not black rice and black rice bran?”

Rice facts from the USA Rice Federation:

• Rice is the primary dietary staple for more than half of the world’s population.
• September is National Rice Month to celebrate the harvest of rice.
• More than 20 billion pounds of rice is produced each year by farmers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri and Mississippi.
• The U.S. produces varieties of short, medium and long grain rice, as well as specialty rices including jasmine, basmati, arborio, red aromatic and black japonica, among others.
• 85% of the rice consumed in the U.S. is grown here.
• U.S. rice farmers produce less than 2% of the world’s annual rice supply, but are the world’s 3rd largest rice exporter.
• Americans consume about 25 pounds of rice per year.
• There are approximately 15,000 rice producers in the United States.
• The Japanese word for cooked rice is the same as the word for meal.
• In India, rice is the first food a new bride offers her husband.  It is also the first food offered a newborn. There is a saying that grains of rice should be like two brothers – close, but not stuck together.
• Instead of saying “How are you?” as a typical greeting, the Chinese ask “Have you had your rice today?”

Photo credit: Photo by FotoosVanRobin on Flickr, licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons.

The post Antioxidants on a budget: Black Rice appeared first on EcoSalon.

I love marinara sauce. But without fail, 24 hours later, my lip-glossed mouth could make a small child cry and have the family pet running for cover. The culprit in my case is garlic. Sure, I’m not alone, but halitosis is a real turn off. Research has proven that among some culprits are:

• Garlic – is absorbed into the bloodstream and secreted by the lungs. While not everyone is affected, I certainly am
• Bacteria – volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan,  harbors on the teeth, gums and tongue
• Food particles – become lodged between teeth
• Plaque – on or below the gum line
• Dieting – to excess may cause ketoacidosis, the breakdown of chemicals during fasting, which smells awful
• Smoking – dries out the mouth and contributes to periodontal disease
• Diseases – such as lung infections, kidney failure and chronic reflux of stomach acids produce odors
• Milk Intolerance

20 Natural Ways to Keep Your Breath Fresh

If you’re not ready to drop $2,000 on a Halimeter, which will analyze the VSC’s in your mouth and let you know if your breath is offensive, here are natural ways to clean up your act.

1. Brush – after every meal, and be sure that your toothbrush is in good shape. A chewed-up, disfigured brush will miss those hard-to-reach areas.
2. Herb Pharm Breath Tonic – is my all time favorite. The non-aerosol spray is made from a sugar-free blend of certified organic peppermint, cinnamon, ginger, and clove extracts that leave my mouth feeling fabulous and clean.
3. Tongue Scraper – This smooth plastic or metal tool glides over the tongue and removes dead cells and bacteria
4. Floss – removes plaque and food that you may not even realize was stuck. I keep a container in my office desk
5. Water – According to the Mayo Clinic, drink water – not coffee, soft drinks or alcohol. Chewing gum or sucking on candy (preferably natural) also stimulates saliva, washing away food particles and bacteria.
6. Fenugreek – put one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in four cups of cold water, boil, then simmer for fifteen minutes over a low flame. Strain and drink like tea.
7. Guava – unripe guava has been said to aid bad breath as it contains tannic and phosphoric acids.

According to health 911, there are a few off-the-beaten-path remedies, including:

8. Apple cider vinegar – swallow a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar just before each meal (you may want to add it to a glass of water)
9. Alfalfa – alfalfa tablets have been said to aid bad breath
10. Anise – the licorice-flavored seed, may aid in reducing bacteria
11. Chlorophyll – Try liquid or chlorophyll tablets. Chlorophyll has a deodorizing effect
12. Clove Tea/Mouthwash – Cloves are a powerful antiseptic. Make a tea by putting three whole or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in two cups of hot water and steep for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour through a fine strainer and use as a mouthwash or gargle twice a day.
13. Fennel – Slowly chew the leaves and allow the saliva to build up in your mouth. Or, mix the contents of a fennel capsule with baking soda, make into a paste, and brush your teeth, gums and tongue with it.
14. Lemon – If you can stand it, a lemon wedge sprinkled with salt will help stop onion or garlic breath.
15. Parsley & Mint – Chewing parsley or mint leaves has been a remedy used for thousands of years. These herbs are especially good if garlic and onions are the source of your bad breath. Parsley is very high in chlorophyll. Chew a few parsley sprigs dipped in vinegar for immediate relief. If you swallow the leaves after chewing them they will be digested and continue to provide breath freshness for quite a while. These plants seem to reduce the production of intestinal gas by promoting better digestion.
16. Natural gum – such as glee, is made with spearmint or peppermint essential oils. These oils kill odor-causing bacteria, and the chewing action stimulates the production of saliva which helps combat bad breath.
17. Sage – contains essential oils with antibacterial properties that help neutralize one of the causes of bad breath. Chew raw leaves.
18. Spirulina – is a very good source of chlorophyll and can be purchased either in capsule or loose form. It’s suggested to start with 500 mg three times a day, but please check with your medical professional first!
19. Tea tree oil – derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, tea tree oil contains antiseptic compounds, which make it a powerful disinfectant. Try using a toothpaste containing tea tree oil, or put a few drops of tea tree oil on your toothbrush alone, or with your regular toothpaste. It has a strong aromatic flavor.
20. Baking Soda – Brushing your teeth with baking soda will help reduce the acidity in your mouth, which is less inviting for bacteria. Combine two tablespoons of dried lemon or orange rind, 1/4 cup of  baking soda, and two teaspoons of salt.

Please report back to us in the comments below on what worked for you!

Image: ellie

The post 20 Natural Ways to Keep Your Breath Fresh and Kissable appeared first on EcoSalon.

The Deepwater Horizon disaster has leaked more than one million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The magnitude is so large that many people are struggling to put the numbers into tangible context. Cutler J. Cleveland, a Boston University professor of Geography and Environment, and the editor of the Encyclopedia of Earth, has calculated the energy equivalents for EcoSalon readers to better grasp the enormity of this disaster. Dr. Cleveland is also a Senior Fellow at the National Council for Science and the Environment.

The energy content of one million barrels is about 5.8 trillion Btu (British Thermal Units), which is equivalent to:

1. Years of energy used in a single average America home: 61,117

2. Number of miles that could be driven by a Prius: 2,320,000,000

3. Number of airplane round trips between London and Louisiana that could be taken by BP CEO Tony Hayward: 198,352

4. Hours of motor gasoline consumption for the entire United States: 3

5. Minutes of world energy use: 6

6. Minutes of energy that could power the entire country of Ghana: 22,252 (about 15 days)

7. Members of the Chinese population whose energy consumption could be met for year: 98,472

8. Number of Americans whose energy consumption could be met for year: 17,211

9. Dollars of GDP produced in China: $210,893,753

10. Dollars of GDP produced in the United States: $743,971,267

11. Amount of energy harnessed from 3,385,540,566 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

12. Number of acres of corn needed to produce the equivalent amount of ethanol: 159,928

13. Number of Tour de France races that Lance Armstrong could complete burning an equivalent amount of food energy: 81,408,631

14. Years of energy use in Boston’s John Hancock Tower: 30.3

15. Equivalent amount of energy in tons of firewood: 494,459

16. Tons of steel that could be produced: 354,393

Images: Steve Punter, (A3R) angelrravelor (A3R), goldberg, Kossy@FINEDAYS, futureatlas.com, RaSeLaSeD – Il Pinguino, nova3web, cathyse97, lauren keith, docsdl, scalleja, spcbrass, Lars Plougmann, malias, Adam Pieniazek, smith, on1stsite.

The post Gulf Oil Spill by the Numbers: 16 Different Ways to Understand the Disaster appeared first on EcoSalon.

The energy content of one million barrels is about 5.8 trillion Btu (British Thermal Units), which is equivalent to…

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1. Years of energy used in a single average America home: 61,117

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2. Number of miles that could be driven by a Prius: 2,320,000,000

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3. Number of airplane round trips between London and Louisiana that could be taken by BP CEO Tony Hayward: 198,352

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4. Hours of motor gasoline consumption for the entire United States: 3

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5. Minutes of world energy use: 6

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6. Minutes of energy that could power the entire country of Ghana: 22,252 (about 15 days)

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7. Members of the Chinese population whose energy consumption could be met for year: 98,472

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8. Number of Americans whose energy consumption could be met for year: 17,211

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9. Dollars of GDP produced in China: $210,893,753

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10. Dollars of GDP produced in the United States: $743,971,267

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11. Amount of energy harnessed from 3,385,540,566 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

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12. Number of acres of corn needed to produce the equivalent amount of ethanol: 159,928

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13. Number of Tour de France races that Lance Armstrong could complete burning an equivalent amount of food energy: 81,408,631

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14. Years of energy use in Boston’s John Hancock Tower: 30.3

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15. Equivalent amount of energy in tons of firewood: 494,459

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16. Tons of steel that could be produced: 354,393

Images: Steve Punter, (A3R) angelrravelor (A3R), goldberg, Kossy@FINEDAYS, futureatlas.com, RaSeLaSeD – Il Pinguino, nova3web, cathyse97, lauren keith, docsdl, scalleja, spcbrass, Lars Plougmann, malias, Adam Pieniazek, smith, on1stsite.

The post Gulf Oil Spill by the Numbers: 16 Different Ways to Understand the Disaster appeared first on EcoSalon.

A good night’s sleep allows us to tackle things with a clear head, more confidence, and in my case, more patience. Whether it’s writing a story lede, maintaining my running pace, or sitting in traffic, having seven hours of recharge under my belt makes my days run more smoothly. While some attempts at slumber cannot be controlled (like my husband’s snoring) there are ways to get in the groove that don’t involve counting sheep.

According to the Mayo Clinic, anxiety, depression and stress add to insomnia and the quality of your night’s sleep. Here are some tried and true tips to prepare for, and enjoy much needed down time:

• Set an internal time clock
  Humans like routine; it’s comforting and the inner time clock can help regulate your sleep pattern. Try heading to bed at the same time every night. Pick up a book that you’ve been meaning to get around to and treat yourself to 15 minutes before turning the lights out.
• Develop a bedtime routine
  Try a few minutes of meditation, quiet music or simple yoga stretches.
• Curb the caffeine
  Ban coffee, tea and soda with caffeine from four o’clock. Look for calming non-caffeine choices.
• Create an inviting sleep environment
  Quiet, dark, and relaxing. If you have noisy neighbors or are surrounded by city buses and trains, try a white noise machine, relaxation music (I like Celtic Bells)  ear plugs, heavy curtains, or those sleep shades ala “I Love Lucy.”
• Increase your thread count
  Splurge for a set of good quality sheets, or at least a pillow case. The smooth, silky cotton will feel wonderful.
• Clear the air
  Considering that you’ll be breathing in the room’s air for seven to eight hours, be mindful of the quality, especially if you’re prone to dust and mold allergies. Try a HEPA filter.
• Go essential
  Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils in aromatherapy due to its calming effect. Try a few drops on your pillow.
• Grandma Jeannie’s head-to-toe technique
  My late grandmother would visualize calming her body beginning with her toes, and work her way up to the top of her head, taking a few seconds to address each area. It really worked!
• Wetter is better
  Treat yourself to a warm bath or shower, which will calm your muscles and help wind you down.
• Uber high tech
  Remember stumbling across technical journals that put you to sleep? Now’s the time to start collecting them and putting them to good use!

Image: quinn.anya

The post 10 Tips for a Getting Some Serious Shut-Eye appeared first on EcoSalon.

I’m one of the fortunate. Mosquitoes aren’t particularly drawn to me, which makes things even worse for my husband who becomes host to both his personal swarm and my hungry cast offs. Years ago, no one thought much about mosquito bites. In fact, they were a rite of passage into summer. But in the days of West Nile Virus, Malaria, Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever, what was once an insignificant annoyance is now taken as seriously as a tick potentially carrying Lyme Disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic, mosquitoes most frequently rear their stingers at dawn and dusk. And you may not feel swelling or itching for up to two days after a bite. Oral antihistamines, topical lotions (remember pink, runny, drippy calamine?)  and alcohol-based solutions like After Bite can help reduce discomfort. A popular home remedy is a paste made with one teaspoon of water and one teaspoon of dry meat tenderizer.

Allergic Reactions

Serious reactions are quite rare, but could include hives, wheezing and anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition, which causes swelling in the throat.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases

While it’s very uncommon, mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases such as  West Nile Virus, Malaria , Yellow Fever, and Dengue Fever. Signs and symptoms of such an infection may include:

• Fever
• Severe headache
• Neurological changes, such as one-sided muscle weakness
• Body aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swollen glands
• Rash
• Lethargy
• Confusion
• Sensitivity to light

How It Happens

It’s always the woman, isn’t it? Mosquito bites occur when a female mosquito feeds off blood by piercing the skin. While dining on your blood the mosquito also deposits a type of saliva, which contains proteins that the body’s immune system reacts to.

Risk Factors

According to the Mayo Clinic staff, mosquitoes select their victims by evaluating scent, exhaled carbon dioxide and the chemical make up of a person’s sweat. A few factors may put some (like my husband) at greater risk than others (like me), such as those with type O blood, men, and people who are overweight. Mosquitoes are also drawn to heat, so wearing dark colors – which absorb heat – may attract mosquitoes.

At First Sign of a Bite

If you know you’ve been bitten by a mosquito, wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible. An ice pack may help reduce the swelling, and if the itching is a problem, an over-the-counter antihistamine may help such as Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, Claritin or Zyrtec. For stronger reactions, the Mayo Clinic suggests taking an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine, such as  Tylenol Severe Allergy, Actifed, Claritin or Zyrtec. Keep in mind that if mosquito bites are scratched, and the skin is broken, a bacterial infection may occur.

Alternative Medicine

There’s some evidence that taking 75 to 150 milligrams of vitamin B-1 (thiamin) daily during the summer may slightly change your scent and offer some protection from insect bites. However, this hasn’t been definitively proved.

Prevention

To prevent mosquito bites, take steps to reduce the mosquito population around your home. Since mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed:

• Unclog roof gutters
• Empty children’s wading pools at least once a week
• Change water in birdbaths weekly (or purchase a water circulating device)
• Store unused flower pots upside down

Other methods of controlling mosquitoes that are popular (but their effectiveness is unproved) include:

• Electronic insect control systems, better known as bug zappers
• Citronella-scented candles
• Replacing outdoor lights with yellow bug lights

Insect repellents

According to the Mayo Clinic, repellents are safe when used properly; they don’t kill mosquitoes but make it harder for them to find you. Common insect repellents include:

• DEET: Apply repellent with up to a 35 percent concentration of DEET to your skin and clothing. Choose the concentration based on the hours of protection you need – generally, the higher the concentration of DEET, the longer you are protected. A 10 percent concentration protects you for about two hours. Keep in mind that chemical repellents can be toxic, and use only the amount needed for the time you’ll be outdoors. Don’t use DEET on the hands of young children or on infants younger than age two months.

• Picaridin: Also called KBR 3023, offers protection that’s comparable to DEET at similar concentrations. Picaridin is nearly odorless, which may make it a good alternative if you’re sensitive to the smells of insect repellents.

• Oil of lemon Eucalyptus
• Citronella: available in oils, spray, candles, wipes

On the Defensive

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and hats, and search out holes in screens
• In addition to these steps, fix any holes you might have in your window or door screens.

Image: madaise

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You many not get abs of steel, but according to a new study recently published in The Journal Environmental Science & Technology, your mood and sense of personal well being can be lifted after five minutes of “Green Exercise.”

Green exercise, the Journal explains, is activity in the presence of nature. The study reveals that every green environment provides an important health service; being outdoors improves both self-esteem and mood, and that the presence of water generates even greater positive effects.

The research used meta-analysis methodology (a statistical technique that reviews quantitative research) to analyze 10 U.K. studies involving 1252 participants. Ten studies undertaken by the University of Essex over the past six years were selected for inclusion. Detailed research questions related to physical activities (duration and intensity), types of green places, and participant characteristics (age, sex, health status) were used.

Among the activities observed were cycling, gardening, walking, fishing, boating, and horseback riding in various environments such as the countryside and farmland, forest and woodland, urban green, and near water.

The Profile of Mood States (POMS) was used to quantify changes in mood, and measurements were taken immediately pre and post-activity or intervention. The study was created by Jo Barton and Jules Pretty from the Interdisciplinary Centre for Environment and Society at the University of Essex in the U.K.

Their findings suggest that attention should be given to developing the use of green exercise as a therapeutic intervention (green care), that planners and architects should improve access to green space (green design), and that children should be given opportunities to learn in outdoor settings (green education). Employers, they say, could encourage staff in stressful workplaces to take a short walk at lunchtime in the nearest Green Space to improve mental health, which may in turn affect productivity.

So the next time you need a boost, look for a park, a few trees, a pond, or even a Green Roof and take five.

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