The concept of a healthy home can bring up up a variety of images and questions. Does it have to do with the food we eat, the air we breathe, the relationships we have…? I think it is all of that and more – our homes are the environment that contain many of the aspects that encourage our health or lack of. Some time ago I heard someone refer to our homes as our “second skin” – a type of vital organ of its own, functioning on another level for nurturing, protection, and detoxification.
I have been intrigued with houses as long as I can remember – especially how I feel when I am inside. I didn’t understand at the time but, looking back, I can see how various homes stimulated a sense of welcome or anxiety, creativity or stagnation, joy or depression, etc. I also was intrigued by the construction itself and, together, these things drew me to my involvement in building and renovation – and my evolving interest in healthy homes.
I started my journey in building with a focus on creativity and energy efficiency in house design. As time went along, I became interested in holistic health and the effect our homes have on our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. I also became interested in how our social life and relationships are influenced by the environment we live in. Today I tend to look at many aspects when I consider the design or redesign of a healthy home.
I will detail these aspects in a future post
