Environmental Wellness

Our environment is an important part of our physical health.  Everything around us makes up our environment, from the materials our clothing is made of to the air exhaled by those around us. The average household is full of chemicals and toxins most people are unaware of. Offices and working environments are no better. Textbook author Brian Seaward (2021) said, “repeated exposure to artificial light, disturbing office noise, bad indoor air quality, chemical particulates from photocopier machines, and electromagnetic pollution all have a deleterious effect on wellness” (p. 328). Essentially, everything around us affects us in some way, even if we don’t register it consciously.

​

Eliminating, or at least minimizing the harm caused by, environmental pollutants should be a no-brainer, but we are at the mercy of our government. When new chemical concoctions are released for public use, we often don’t find out how harmful they are until we’ve had time to notice the impact of its effects. McGinn (2002) tells us, “The burden of proof for existing chemicals and many new ones… rests with public authorities and scientists who must prove something is harmful after it has been released [to the public] (para. 3). Because of this lack of long-term studies prior to the consumer level, we must practice caution. Switching to cleaning products and personal care products that contain only natural ingredients is better for the environment and a healthier alternative overall.​