Any of these 6 phrases is a red flag in relationships

It’s vital to examine the kinds of communication that go under the radar as disrespectful. Awareness is the first step in taking accountability for your words. While the types of phrases below can seem innocent on their own, over time they can leave a partner feeling diminished and unloved — and the whole relationship in troubled waters:

1. Phrases that humiliate your partner, name-calling, or speaking disparagingly — directly or to others in public

Examples:

  • “Really, second helpings?”
  • “Oh, he always does that.”
  • “Don’t pay attention to him.”

2. Sarcasm and mocking tones intended as insults

Examples:

  • “Great job on yelling at the kids.”
  • “Is that what you’re wearing?”
  • “Yeah, like that’s worth bragging about.”

3. Manipulative language that twists reality

Examples:

  • “It didn’t happen that way.”
  • “I never said that. You understood it wrong.”
  • “You’re crazy if you really think that.”

4. Moralistic statements that insult, correct, criticize, demean, diagnose or label

Examples:

  • “You spoil him way too much, because your mother spoiled you.”
  • “You’re so selfish.”
  • “That’s a narcissistic thing to say.”

5. Blame shifting

Examples:

  • “I hate yelling, but you frustrate me so much.”
  • “You’re making me feel guilty.”
  • “Maybe if you tried harder, I wouldn’t have to step in.”

6. Blocking compassion by advice, interrogation, one-upping or correcting

Examples:

  • “How come you didn’t talk to me about this sooner?”
  • “Why don’t you just ignore her?”
  • “I’ve done this a dozen times. It’s not that complicated.”

How to be a more mindful communicator

While this won’t solve all your problems, one tool I like to give couples after their first session is the almighty pause.

Whether it’s stepping away, going outside to breathe and relax, or developing a silly code word together when things get tense. The idea is to do whatever it takes to shut the reactive system down which typically requires elongating the space between your angry reactive feelings and the urge to spew these feelings out with your words. 

The pause could mean a minute, five minutes, or five days. This slowing down mechanism benefits us greatly in relationships because it makes us less prone to the judgmental words.

Essentially, the work before you open your mouth is the most important and influential part of having conversations that heal versus destroy your relationship. Pausing and preparing is about connecting within for energy before you reach for energy from your partner. We are all in training here!

Source: Rachel Glik, a licensed professional counselor, and author of “A Soulful Marriage: Healing Your Relationship With Responsibility, Growth, Priority, and Purpose.”

What Foods Cause Your Ears to Ring 2

 

 

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from a chronic or recurrent ringing, roaring, whistling, hissing, clanging or shrieking sound in their ears, according to How Stuff Works.  This condition, called tinnitus, often occurs because the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that conduct sound are damaged, producing constant stimulation of aural nerves. A wide range of causes can contribute to this condition, including exposure to loud noise, aging, medications, hearing loss, allergies and stress. Several food or food additives can trigger or exacerbate ringing in the ear.

Here are some of the foods that cause ringing in the ears.

Salt

Many people with tinnitus report worse symptoms after eating salty food, according to the American Tinnitus Association. Salt restricts blood vessels, increasing blood pressure within the major arteries while reducing blood flow into the eyes, ears and brain. Snack, fast and processed foods tend to contain large amounts of salt.

Salicylates

Salicylates are naturally occurring chemicals that protect plants against bacteria, pests and disease. People with salicylate sensitivity can have adverse reactions to the accumulation of salicylates in their body. People with tinnitus can experience a worsening of their symptoms when exposed to salicylates, according to the Journal of Neurosciences.

Foods that contain salicylates include fruits such as:

  • dried fruit
  • blackberries
  • blueberries
  • boysenberry
  • oranges
  • pineapples
  • raisins
  • raspberries
  • strawberries
  • tangerines

 

Vegetables

Vegetables with salicylates include peppers, tomatoes, and canned green olives.

Other foods with salicylates include

  • almonds
  • peanuts with skins on
  • coconut oil
  • olive oil
  • processed lunch meats
  • corn syrup
  • honey
  • jams
  • peppermint

 

  • Beverages and Ear ringing

For various reasons, several beverages can trigger or worsen tinnitus symptoms. Red wine, grain-based spirits such as rum and beer, cider, sherry and brandy all contain high to very high levels of salicylates. Beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate and energy drinks also exacerbate tinnitus, according to American Tinnitus Association. Caffeine may exacerbate in some people by increasing blood pressure and stimulating nerve cell activity.

Food Additives and Flavor Enhancers

The artificial sweetener, aspartame, reportedly can worsen tinnitus symptoms in people who are sensitive to this additive, according to American Tinnitus Association. Monosodium glutamate may cause adverse reactions, including migraines and exacerbation of tinnitus symptoms, in people who are sensitive to it.

Sugar

A significant portion of people with tinnitus have a sugar metabolism problem called hyperinsulinemia, according to the National Institutes of Health. Hyperinsulinemia occurs when the body develops an insensitivity to insulin and therefore fails to break sugar down and deliver it to cells. This resulting excess of glucose in the blood stream causes the pancreas to release more insulin. People with tinnitus who maintain a diabetic diet may experience an improvement in their tinnitus symptoms.

Fats

Although fats do not necessarily cause an immediate exacerbation of tinnitus symptoms, foods with saturated and trans fats contribute to poor circulation and reduce blood flow. A diet high in these unhealthy fats increases bad cholesterol and decreases good cholesterol, affecting long-term heart health and potentially heightening the severity of ringing in the ears.

While it is a chronic condition, dietary changes (like eating less salt and dialing down your caffeine and alcohol intake), medications, hearing aids, and other therapies can help you manage your symptoms.

Source: healthfully.com©

 

3 Things You Should Always Tell Your Doctor

 

ER physician Dr. Travis Stork says that an open line of communication between a doctor and patient is key, but it can also end up saving your life. Here are three things you should always let your doctor know.

#1: If you take effervescent antacids

Before a procedure, doctors will tell patients to avoid any ibuprofen and aspirin-containing products because they can act as blood thinners. Plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon explains that bleeding is the number one concern before elective procedures so they want to make sure clotting works. It turns out, many effervescent antacids contain aspirin. OB/GYN Dr. Nita Landry also says that if you accidentally take something, to be honest with your doctor so they can access the safety of still doing the procedure.

#2. If you have a belly button piercing (even if you no longer wear the ring)

Dr. Nita explains having a belly button piercing can lead to scar tissue. Anytime doctors do surgery, they may want to go in through the belly button. If there is scar tissue, it could increase the probability of damage to underlying organs. Dr. Nita clarifies that they still can do the surgery and possibly go through the belly button, but it’s nice to know beforehand so they can take proper precautions. Dr. Ordon adds that you are more likely to have bacteria with a piercing which could lead to infection so again, it’s important to inform your doctor about it.

#3. If you take nasal decongestants 

Dr. Ordon explains that nasal decongestants are meant to be taken short-term. If you take them for too long the lining of the nose actually develops a dependence on the nose drops where you need to increasingly use more to keep congestion at bay. The minute you stop the drops, the blood vessels encourage and you get very congested. Dr. Ordon says he’s had people with excessive bleeding in surgery so it’s important to tell your doctor if you use nasal decongestants prior to any surgeries around the nose. The Doctors recommend weaning yourself off nasal drops before a surgery.

Dr. Ordon says nasal saline or steroid drops are not the same; anything that is just rinsing your nose is completely fine. Dr. Travis adds that this is another lesson that just because something is over the counter doesn’t mean you can take it as much as you want. Always use medications as directed.

Source:  msn.com©

Over 60,000 Bottles of Popular Women’s Supplement Recalled Over ‘Poisoning’ Risk

Recalls abound, and the latest may be in your medicine cabinet. Over 60,000 bottles of California Gold Nutrition women’s multivitamins, manufactured by iHerb, are being voluntarily recalled due to concerns related to the risk of “child poisoning.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of three separate California Gold Nutrition women’s supplements on June 26. The recall is specifically for the brand’s Daily Prenatal Multi, Ultamins Women’s Multivitamin, and Ultamins Women’s 50+ Multivitamin.Expand article logo

According to the CPSC, the impacted bottles are white with a white lid and a gold border label and contain 60 fish gelatin softgel dietary supplements. The California Gold Nutrition Women’s Multivitamin and Women’s 50+ Multivitamin both have dark purple packaging with a gold border label and contain 60 capsules in foil inside.

Below are the different units affected and their respective batch codes and expiration dates, which are located on the back of the containers.

California Gold Nutrition Daily Prenatal Multivitamin

  • Batch codes: 2307050A, 2404096A, 2411100A
  • Expiration dates: 08/2025, 05/2026, 11/2026

California Gold Nutrition Ultamins Women’s Multivitamin

  • Batch codes: V0532, V0533
  • Expiration dates: 11/2026, 07/2026

California Gold Nutrition Ultamins Women’s 50+ Multivitamin

  • Batch codes: V0534, V0536
  • Expiration dates: 07/2026, 11/2026

The recall appears to stem from a violation of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, which requires certain medications (such as those containing iron, like these multivitamins) to have child-resistant packaging. The packaging of the recalled multivitamins is not child-resistant, “posing a risk of deadly poisoning, if the contents are swallowed by young children,” according to the CPSC.

he affected medication was sold online at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other online retailers from January 2019 through April 2025. While only the bottle itself is being recalled due to safety concerns, the CPSC still recommends against taking the supplements and says to dispose of the product. All known purchasers are being contacted directly regarding the recall by iHerb.

If you find you have the item in your possession, the CPSC advises you to immediately ensure the recalled supplement bottles are out of reach of children. You may also contact iHerb to receive a refund and for information about how to safely discard the packaging and product.

Source: Prevention©

Photo credit: © mith_67 – Getty Images

Energy Takers/Energy Givers

Energy givers and energy takers are concepts that describe how certain individuals or activities affect our emotional and mental well-being:

  • Energy Givers: These are individuals or activities that uplift and inspire us. They radiate positive energy, encourage smiles, and create a joyful atmosphere, leaving us feeling recharged and motivated. 
  • Energy Takers: In contrast, energy takers drain our emotional health and create negative environments. They often leave us feeling exhausted and can adversely affect our overall well-being. 
  • Characteristics: Energy givers tend to be positive, supportive, and emotionally intelligent, while energy takers may exhibit negativity, criticism, or self-centeredness. 
  • Awareness: Recognizing the difference between energy givers and takers can help us manage our energy levels and improve our overall quality of life. 
  • Understanding these dynamics is essential for maintaining a healthy emotional balance.
  • The chart below explains it quite well:

These foods increase your odds of early Parkinson’s symptoms: study

Mind your mind!

Around 90,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed in the US each year — the neurodegenerative disorder is commonly associated with slow movement, tremors, stiffness and difficulty walking.

Experts suggest that physical activity and a balanced diet can help lower Parkinson’s risk. A new study supports that guidance, finding that people who consume a lot of ultra-processed foods are more likely to have early signs of Parkinson’s than those who eat less junk food.

Research shows that eating too much processed food, like sugary sodas and packaged snacks, might be speeding up early signs of Parkinson’s disease.

The Study

Participants were split into five groups — the highest group ate 11 or more daily servings, while the lowest group ate fewer than three servings a day.

The researchers also watched for early signs of Parkinson’s in the participants, including REM sleep behavior disorder, constipation, depression, pain, impaired color vision, excessive daytime sleepiness and reduced ability to smell.

After adjusting for factors such as age and exercise levels, participants in the highest UPF group had a 2.5-fold higher likelihood of having three or more of these early signs than those in the lowest UPF group.

Researchers also noted that a diet high in UPFs raised the risk for all the early Parkinson’s symptoms except constipation.

The findings were published online Wednesday in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Choosing to eat fewer processed foods and more whole, nutritious foods could be a good strategy for maintaining brain health. More studies are needed to confirm the finding that eating less processed food may slow down the earliest signs of Parkinson’s disease.”

UPFs often contain lots of calories, sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. They can trigger inflammation in the brain that disrupts brain function, increasing the risk of brain disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Recent research also tied UPFs to higher risks of psoriasis, depression and even early death.

Source: New York Post©

If You Have High Blood Pressure, Avoid these Supplements

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when your blood presses relentlessly against your artery walls. As this pressure rises, your heart is forced to work harder than usual to pump blood through your body. Over time, this extra workload can damage blood vessels and heighten the risk of serious complications like heart attack and stroke.

Although many of these pills and powders contain naturally derived ingredients, not all are as heart-friendly and innocent as they may seem. To help protect your ticker, we reached out to a cardiologist and cardiovascular dietitian to find out which supplements you should avoid if you have high blood pressure.  

1. Bitter Orange

Bitter orange extract, derived from the dried peel of the bitter orange fruit, is often used in supplements marketed for weight loss and athletic performance. However, for people with high blood pressure, this extract can pose a serious risk. This herb contains synephrine, which can raise blood pressure and trigger dangerous heart rhythms.

2. Licorice Root

Known for its distinctively sweet flavor and soothing properties, licorice root has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy to ease digestive issues, fight viruses and soothe sore throats. However, licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, a compound that can cause the body to retain sodium, potentially increasing blood pressure. One study found that even low doses of licorice root containing as little as 100 milligrams of glycyrrhizic acid may significantly raise blood pressure when consumed regularly. Additionally, licorice root has been shown to decrease potassium levels.

3. Caffeine-containing Supplements

Caffeine isn’t just in your morning coffee or afternoon tea. It’s also a common ingredient in many supplements that claim to boost energy, improve alertness and enhance physical performance. However, this popular stimulant can cause a temporary spike in blood pressure, making it a risky choice for those with hypertension.

4. Yohimbine

Yohimbine, a compound found in the bark of the yohimbe tree, is frequently found in supplements and teas marketed for weight loss, athletic performance, improved sexual health and–ironically–high blood pressure.  Not so fast. Yohimbine is a stimulant that can dangerously raise blood pressure and heart rate because it increases blood pressure by raising the levels of a hormone and messenger called norepinephrine. And as norepinephrine levels rise, blood vessels begin to narrow, impairing blood flow and leading to higher blood pressure. 

5. Ephedra

Ephedra is an herbal dietary supplement that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for colds, headaches, coughs and fever, particularly in China and India. Fast forward to the 21st century when it became a sought-after ingredient in dietary supplements promoted for weight loss, physical performance and enhanced energy. However, it is far from risk-free. It contains ephedrine alkaloids, strong stimulant compounds linked to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and even sudden death. It can also interfere with blood pressure and heart medications, making them less effective. Due to these serious side effects, ephedra has been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in supplements. Although it’s banned in dietary supplements, its active ingredient, ephedrine, can be found in some allergy and asthma medications Therefore, you should always consult your health care provider before taking anything with ephedra listed in the ingredients.

Keeping your blood pressure in check isn’t just about avoiding certain supplements. A healthy lifestyle can have a significant impact on your numbers. For instance, avoiding cigarettes and limiting alcohol are proven ways to reduce your risk of hypertension. 

Source: EatingWell©

Photo credit: Getty Images. EatingWell design.

Dementia Mortality Tied to Olive Oil Consumption

Higher olive oil intake was associated with a lower risk of dementia-related mortality, a prospective study of 90,000 healthcare professionals showed.

Eating at least 7 g of olive oil daily — about a half tablespoon — was tied to an adjusted 28% lower risk of dementia-related death (pooled hazard ratio [HR] 0.72, 95% CI 0.64-0.81) compared with never or rarely consuming olive oil (P for trend <0.001) over 28 years of follow-up, reported Anne-Julie Tessier, RD, PhD, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, and co-authors.

The researchers followed 60,582 women from the Nurses’ Health Study and 31,801 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study from 1990 to 2018. Previous research from these cohorts showed that higher olive oil consumption was tied to lower cardiovascular disease risk and lower neurodegenerative disease mortality.

Olive oil consumption may lower dementia mortality by improving vascular health, Tessier and colleagues suggested, though incident cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes were not significant mediators of the relationship between olive oil and dementia-related death in this study.

Source: Medpage Today©

How Much Should You Weigh? BMI Height and Weight Chart

 

 

Body mass index (BMI) is a calculated measure of weight relative to height. For adults, BMI is categorized into underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. Obesity is further subdivided into three classes. This BMI calculator is for adults 20 and older.

BMI is one potential health indicator and should be considered with other factors when assessing an individual’s health. These factors may include a patient’s medical history, health behaviors, physical exam findings, and laboratory findings. 

It’s not perfect, but you can use this weight chart according to height based on body mass index (BMI) from the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute (NHBLI) to find the intersection of your height and weight and get a general idea of how much you should weigh.

 

Weight Chart

 

Height Weight (in lbs)        
  ‌Underweight‌ ‌Healthy‌ ‌Overweight‌ ‌Obesity‌ ‌Severe Obesity‌
‌4’10”‌ (58″) 88 and below 89 to 119 120 to 143 144 to 191 192 and up
‌4’11”‌ (59″) 91 and below 92 to 123 124 to 148 149 to 197 198 and up
‌5′‌ (60″) 94 and below 95 to 127 128 to 153 154 to 204 205 and up
‌5’1″‌ (61″) 97 and below 98 to 132 133 to 158 159 to 211 212 and up
‌5’2″‌ (62″) 100 and below 101 to 136 137 to 163 164 to 218 219 and up
‌5’3″‌ (63″) 104 and below 105 to 140 141 to 169 170 to 225 226 and up
‌5’4″‌ (64″) 107 and below 108 to 145 146 to 174 175 to 232 233 and up
‌5’5″‌ (65″) 110 and below 111 to 149 150 to 179 180 to 240 241 and up
‌5’6″‌ (66″) 114 and below 115 to 154 155 to 185 186 to 247 248 and up
‌5’7″‌ (67″) 117 and below 118 to 159 160 to 191 192 to 255 256 and up
‌5’8″‌ (68″) 121 and below 122 to 164 165 to 196 197 to 262 263 and up
‌5’9″‌ (69″) 124 and below 125 to 168 169 to 202 203 to 270 271 and up
‌5’10”‌ (70″) 128 and below 129 to 173 174 to 208 209 to 278 279 and up
‌5’11”‌ (71″) 132 and below 133 to 178 179 to 214 215 to 286 287 and up
‌6′‌ (72″) 136 and below 137 to 183 184 to 220 221 to 294 295 and up
‌6’1″‌ (73″) 139 and below 140 to 189 190 to 227 228 to 302 303 and up
‌6’2″‌ (74″) 143 and below 144 to 194 195 to 233 234 to 311 312 and up
‌6’3″‌ (75″) 147 and below 148 to 199 200 to 239 240 to 319 320 and up
‌6’4″‌ (76″) 151 and below 152 to 204 205 to 246 247 to 328 329 and up

Average Heights and Weights in the U.S.

U.S. Male

In the U.S., the average height for people assigned male at birth (AMAB) is 5’9″, according to the CDC, and the average weight is 197.9 pounds. Here’s the breakdown on weight for someone AMAB who is 5’9″ (69 inches), according to BMI:

  • ‌Healthy weight:‌ 126 to 169 pounds
  • ‌Overweight (higher risk for health problems):‌ 170 to 203
  • ‌Obesity (highest risk for health problems):‌ 204 pounds or more

U.S. female

The average height for people assigned female at birth (AFAB) in the U.S. is 5’4″, per the CDC, and the average weight is 170 pounds. Based on BMI, someone AFAB who is 5’4″ (64 inches) would fall into these weight categories:

  • ‌Healthy weight:‌ 108 to 145 pounds
  • ‌Overweight (higher risk for health problems):‌ 146 to 174 pounds
  • ‌Obesity (highest risk for health problems):‌ 175 pounds or more

 

Important Considerations

 
  • Limitations: BMI is a screening tool based on weight and height, not a direct measure of body fat. It does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution.
  • Health Risks: A high BMI increases the risk of chronic conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
  • Other Metrics: A waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men or 35 inches in women often indicates increased risk

 

Source: livestrong.com©

 

This Is Your Home’s Ideal Indoor Humidity Level 

While you can’t change the humidity levels outdoors, you can take steps to control humidity levels inside your home. This can improve your comfort and health, and can even prevent damage to home systems and structures. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that ideal indoor humidity levels should be between 30 percent and 50 percent. Some research suggests that the ideal relative humidity for sleeping is slightly higher, at 40 to 60 percent. Though logic tells us that in desert regions, indoor humidity always falls well below that and soars higher in Southeastern homes, temperature also affects indoor humidity and resulting air quality. “The 30 to 50 percent range is standard. But personal comfort, health, and the season should guide specifics,” says Josh Mitchell, owner of Air Conditioner Lab. 

Effects of High Indoor Humidity

When the humidity is higher than 50 percent, you won’t just feel sticky and uncomfortable; the increased moisture in the air can lead to mold growth, and condensation on windows and toilet tanks. The water droplets that collect can eventually cause the rot and decay of materials in your home, such as flooring and structural elements. 

Effects of Low Indoor Humidity

Inadequate humidity in the house can also cause problems. Low humidity can result in dry skin, nasal irritation and sinus issues, and increased static electricity. Excessively dry air, at 5 percent humidity or less, can also cause wallpaper to peel away and wood furniture and building materials to shrink, which can lead to warping or cracking. Monitoring your home’s moisture levels and keeping them in the ideal indoor humidity range can prevent these things from happening. Our tips for raising humidity levels below can help.

How to Measure Indoor Humidity

To monitor home humidity levels, consider purchasing several inexpensive gauges. Position them in different areas of your home, because humidity can vary from room to room. For example, basements are often more humid than other rooms because moisture from the ground can seep through basement walls. 

While hygrometers are the go-to tools for measuring humidity, Mitchell suggests paying close attention to physical signs too. “Consistent condensation on windows, a musty smell, or unusual respiratory responses can all signal high humidity,” Mitchell says. If the humidity is over 50 percent or under 30 percent in one or more areas, try the following solutions to adjust the humidity level at home.

How to Lower Indoor Humidity

To prevent problems like window condensation, mold, and mildew, lower overly humid spaces to the ideal 30 to 50 percent range. Lowering humidity levels also can make the environment less hospitable for some pests, and more comfortable for you and your family.

Replace an old air conditioner.

In addition to cooling indoor air, AC units remove moisture. A central air conditioning unit should last 12 to 15 years before needing replacement, and a window unit should last 8 to 10 years. When air conditioners are older than their predicted useful life, their components can wear out and they may no longer remove humidity efficiently. 

“Regular maintenance is key. I recommend professional servicing every year before summer, regular filter changes (every 30-90 days, depending on use), and keeping the unit and surrounding area clean and free from debris,” Mitchell says. “Also, ensuring the refrigerant level is adequate can prevent overworking the system.”

Use room dehumidifiers.

Air conditioners might not remove enough humidity in high-moisture areas, like finished basements. A supplemental basement dehumidifier can make even the muggiest areas feel more pleasant.

Cover a dirt basement floor with a vapor barrier.

Most of today’s new homes have poured concrete basement floors, but many houses built before 1950 still have unfinished dirt floors. The moisture in a dirt-floor basement can be as high as 100 percent, depending on the dampness of the soil, and that moisture can filter up into other areas of the home. The solution, in this case, is placing a vapor barrier such as 6-millimeter plastic sheeting over the dirt, and then covering the sheeting with several inches of sand or pea gravel to hold it in place.

Install a bathroom exhaust vent.

As much as you enjoy long, hot showers or baths, all that steam will float out as soon as you open the bathroom door. Run a bathroom exhaust fan during and after bathing to draw steamy air up, out, and away. (Be sure to determine the right size of bathroom exhaust fan for your needs before purchasing.) 

Consider a whole-home dehumidifier.

When the indoor humidity levels in the entire home are consistently high—if they regularly register higher than 50 percent humidity—it might be time to consider adding a whole-house dehumidifier. “Whole-house dehumidifiers are particularly useful in regions with high humidity levels, such as coastal areas,” says Dan Johnson, vice president at Sanders & Johnson, a heating and cooling service company in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, these systems can help prevent the proliferation of pests such as dust mites and insects.

Whole-house dehumidifiers are designed to regulate and maintain optimal humidity levels throughout a home. They are a part of the home’s central heating and cooling system that can remove excess moisture as air cycles through the main vent system. This type of dehumidifier should be installed by an HVAC professional.

How to Increase Indoor Humidity

If the humidity level at home is too low, add moisture to the air as best you can, especially in the winter. Twenty-five percent humidity in winter is generally considered healthy; aim for the 30 percent threshold the rest of the year. To increase humidity in an overly dry home, you can start with simple household solutions or add humidity as needed with a humidifier.

Increase humidity while doing household tasks.

Those who live in dry climates know that any bit of humidity will benefit indoor air, especially during dry winters. These simple changes can add humidity to your dry home:

  • Open the dishwasher after the final rinse cycle and allow the steam to flow out rather than using the dry cycle.
  • Keep a large pot of water simmering on the stove or wood stove.
  • Air-dry laundry on an indoor clothesline.
  • Allow bathwater to cool in the tub before draining it to release moisture into the air. Do this with a sink full of warm dishwater, too.
  • Acquire some houseplants, which release moisture into the air through their leaves.
  • Keep a fine-mist spray bottle handy and spray the air lightly every hour or so. You don’t want to spray so much that furniture or countertop surfaces become wet; just a light spritz here and there will help raise the humidity level at home.

Use a portable humidifier to relieve skin and respiratory problems.

If a family member suffers from dry nasal passages, sinusitis, or skin irritations, all of which can be aggravated by low humidity, a humidifier can help alleviate symptoms. A portable humidifier will introduce soothing moisture to the air and reduce health issues as well as annoying static electricity. This type of humidifier is a great option for bedrooms, living rooms, and nurseries, and might only need to run while sleeping.

Consider a large-room or whole-home humidifier.

In parts of the country, such as areas of Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico, the air can be severely dry all year long and increasing indoor humidity is top of mind most of the year. Homeowners in these regions could also consider installing a large room humidifier to cover more ground or talking with an HVAC professional about whole-home humidifiers.

Final Thoughts

The amount of humidity in the air varies from morning until night, from one season to another, and due to weather and other factors. Controlling indoor humidity is not just a comfort issue. It can indirectly affect health by how humidity increases or decreases concentrations of indoor air pollutants. The first step toward a comfortable and healthy relative indoor humidity is a solid measurement. Homeowners can then take simple to major steps to keep the air from being too dry or too damp and to enjoy consistently ideal indoor humidity levels.

Source: bobvila.com©