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Make Room for What You Love by Melissa Michaels Review|Book summary| Science of Decluttering

By on 32

Make Room for What You Love book summary,is my chance to tell you about my secret behind managing it all.

My favorite quote from the book “Make Room for what you love”:

“Your outer world influences how you feel inside.
External  chaos is an indication of inner chaos .”

How you care for your home and the things in it influences your life deeply. It silently affects the decisions you take.
So think carefully each time you invite a thing, a person, or a thought in your home. Will it produce order or disorder?

This post contains affiliate links. This means at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission in case you buy something using the link in the post. Thank you for your help. I deeply appreciate you reading this post.

Three Simple Truths and  powerful habits(from  the book Make Room for what you love)

1)If you keep a little piece of random something it becomes a clutter magnet.
2)Have simple rules about what to keep and what you give away. GIVE EVERYTHING A LOCATION.
Ask yourself in your mind: Order or disorder?(like this tip a lot)The system should be easy to keep up with and enjoy.
3)There will always be unwelcome things trying to take control of our heart-mind soul and physical surroundings. But what you allow is your choice.

My favorite thought from the book

Make a home filled with grace.

About clutter magnets

You have all faced this problem of random keys coins, and screws accumulating on small trays meant to display pretty trinkets.
Melissa suggests you either find a home for them immediately, if not immediately then maybe a week (this is flexible) to decide what to do with them.
If you have not used them by the designated time give them away or throw them away.

Even DIY projects make a conscious decision to let go if you have not done it in a year.

Super tip :
Clutter Grows. But, if you keep at it’s not so bad.

Order or disorder?

If you remember one thing from this book it should be these two words.
Now, this is not exactly anything new.

But somehow together they will sound like a buzz in your mind, every time you decide to keep hanging on to a clutter magnet.
Your home is a work in progress. But it should always move forward in the spectrum of order.

 

A line that made me laugh.

“This is a place for  undies, which I wouldn’t  be ashamed  to be seen in should the fire department have to rescue me”

Every time you put down something, ask yourself if will this create order or disorder. Decluttering is never done.It’s a work in progress and life gets in the way.

A home filled with grace…

This powerful concept elevates Melissa’s book from its home decor niche to a different level.

What exactly is grace?

Thoughtfulness towards others.

Pleasing appearance or effect.

So grace is something you have and your home has from little things.
The book gives you a long list of questions to ponder which helps you get going in the right direction.

My favorite Qs:

  • What colors feel energizing or soothing to you? Ivory, pastel shades cool colors that are happy.
  • What kind of settings brings you peace? Green plants, and less stuff!
  • What is the most frustrating part of your home? Storage and organizing! It’s a rental!

Psychology of decluttering:

A clutter-free environment helps avoid decision fatigue. Decision fatigue is a psychological condition where mental exhaustion and diminishing productivity occur due to making too many decisions.

The key:

Have just the right amount of stuff…to love the home you have.
Interesting checklist to help you decide, what should be invited into your home.

  • Do I have space to display this? What happens if it breaks down
  • Can I get this done with what I have?

By creating order out of chaos you create peace.

 

Make room for What You love:A quote that has changed how I felt about my home
Make room for What You love: A quote that has changed how I felt about my home

My Takeaway from the Book

Always have Specific measurable achievable realistic time-limited (SMART) goals.
Let go of perfect solutions. Get work done with the time money and resources you now have. When you create order out of chaos you create peace. Live beautifully and have a home filled with grace.

How it changed my life. ..

Like Melissa, I feel you can never have too many books.

But trying to make a place for all of them takes some worrying.

So now I have a system. I buy those books which I want to re-read (like Enid Blyton Everything, Perry Mason, Agatha  Christie, The Go-Giver, The 4-hour Workweek, Love the home you have ….)And I buy ebooks(#ecofriendly )  and I joined a lending library.

What do you do to, decrease the chaos around you?
As I  read the book, (mine is an ebook???????? because I am in India and the paperback is not yet available  here )
I am underlining the words in my head.

Melissa has done it again. She tells us the truth without ever sounding boring. Whenever  I read her book I feel blessed that I found her blog.

[bctt tweet=”Wherever you are you can make a home you love.” username=”misra_amrita”]

I love plants, I love flowers and I love growing edible plants. But sometimes when it gets a little too much.I step back and think about what makes me really happy. I have realized seeing green everywhere makes me really happy.

But I have to balance a green home with a realistic goal. How many can I plant and take care of, without gardening feeling like a chore? That’s the benchmark gardening is for your health and spirit. It should make you feel happy and content. Not worried.

That’s why reading  Make Room for what you love by @Melissa Michaels is, so much fun. You can do the exercises as you read and declutter!

So is the declutter outside and get peace, backed by science?

You bet!
Clutter is actually a sign of fear.
Fear of letting go.
Fear of regret.
Fear of the what if.
Too much Clutter is not only about your stuff! It’s actually about how your brain is wired. Keeping stuff and not using it is the inability to make decisions.

[wysija_form id=”16″]

This can actually be a red flag for underlying mental health issues like ADHD, Depression, and OCD.

How Clutter affects you?

But do you all have a problem?
Not really.
A bit of chaos may help spark creativity.
But a lot of stuff, pulling at your brain cam hamper your ability to think tangentially.
So when is clutter too much Clutter and borderline hoarding?
When throwing away giving away stuff causes you to have palpitations.
extreme anxiety, sleeplessness.
That needs help.

So which part of your brain needs looking into?
The orbitofrontal cortex ..part of your brain involved in decision-making is responsible for the physical responses hoarders feel.
The good news: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help rewire your brain’s thinking pattern can definitely help you.

 

 

You don't know how far you can go before your try
You don’t know how far you can go before your try

Clearing clutter helped me focus on what was important. What else do you learn from the book?
Your home is your sanctuary. To declutter and keep it clutter-free is a journey. To live beautifully with things you love, you need to let go of things you don’t.Don’t let decision-making pull you behind.

Buy or borrow the book

Make Room for What You Love: Your Essential Guide to Organizing & Simplifying

But definitely,  read it.

Reading  Melissa’s book is like talking to an old friend. A friend, who knows, something is troubling you even, before you speak.
It’s decluttering therapy!
Just like mindfulness protects against the ill effects of multitasking, uncluttered clean spaces help your brain concentrate and are more productive.

I recommend  this book for:

Moms struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing needs of their growing families.

Moms who know a bit of clutter is inevitable with young children. But still, want to keep some semblance of order.

Anybody who wants to be more productive in their home or work.

Why I loved this book?

It has actually motivated me enough to not only read the book, wrote the summary post it plus clean the house one cluttered corner at a time.
Melissa’s book has grace.

 

I have realized I too want to live with grace.

 

Disclaimer :I received a digital copy of this book for review. The opinions and thoughts I share about this book is strictly mine and in no way influenced by any third person.

 

10 Reasons Why Being Social is Good for Your Mental Health

By on 31

 How social are you?

Next time hubby scolds you about kitty parties, you can guide him to this post.

There’s science backed facts to encourage positive social bonds.

With lives getting busier,families smaller a nurturing social life is even more a priority.

 Social relationships are important.

 

2016-08-20-09-18-56

#TRUTH 1

Quantity and quality of your company will affect:

  • Mental health
  • Health behavior
  • Physical health, and
  • Mortality risk.

 Not convinced?

 Did you know  captors use social isolation to torture prisoners of war?

#TRUTH 2

Social isolation of healthy, well-functioning people can cause  psychological & physical  breakdown.

Even death!

 

#TRUTH 3

Adults who are socially connected are healthier and live longer .

That’s why  parents ,relatives and grand parents need us even more  when they grow older.

Socially useful relationships make life meaningful . 

fb_img_1476115944595Image courtesy Aniruddha Das

Majority of research findings show :

 

(1) Social relationships have significant effects on health

(2) Social relationships affect health through behavioral, psychosocial, and physiological pathways.

(3) Relationships benefit health

(4) Relationships shape your  health .

 #TRUTH 4

 Humans crave social integration.The quality of the relationship  is also important .

 It’s important that relationships give positive  emotional support.

Poor quality social ties affect  health.

It can   impair immune      functions,poor health and Mortality.

 (Kiecolt-Glaser et al. 2002; Robles and Kiecolt-Glaser 2003).

Marriage is  the most studied social tie.

#TRUTH 5

Marital relationship, affects  cardiovascular disease, chronic conditions.

 Berkman and Syme (1979)showed that the risk of death among men and women with the fewest social ties was more than twice as high as the risk for adults with the most social ties.

#TRUTH 6

Social ties decrease mortality risk among adults with documented medical conditions. Brummett and colleagues (2001) found that, among adults with coronary artery disease, the socially isolated had a risk of subsequent cardiac death 2.4 times greater than their more socially connected peers.

Conditions associated with poor social health:

#TRUTH 7

 Marriage is perhaps the most studied social tie. Recent work shows that marital history over the life course shapes a range of health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, chronic conditions, mobility limitations, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms (Hughes and Waite 2009;Zhang and Hayward 2006).

How relationships affect health?

 #TRUTH 8

Three ways that social ties work to influence health:

  • Behavioral
  • Psychosocial and
  • Physiological.

 

Image courtesy Aniruddha  Das

 What are positive Health  Behaviors?

  • Exercise
  • Nutritious diet,
  • Sticking to medical advice.
  • Practicing better mental health

What are negative  health behaviours

  • Smoking
  • Excessive weight gain
  • Drug abuse
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • Lack of mental stimulation
  • Avoiding social interaction 

We live with our spouses after being pampered by our parents.So spousal support and understanding goes a long way in giving you positive health.

#TRUTH 9

For children the home environment is their first chance of understanding social integration.

Children learn to be social from their environment
Children learn to be social from their environment

Unhappy marriage and parenthood have  been associated with poor health behaviors .

Physical inactivity and weight gain are two negative effects of poor marital quality .

What is important is  positive effect  of any relationship.

If the effect of these ties are not positive. Then mental health is affected.

Mind and body are two sides of the same coin. They work together and act together. When your mind dreams your body does.

Both are actions.Just in their own way.

So positive health benefits from a relationship needs affects , mind and body . 

 What exactly does  a poor marriage cause?

 Compromised immune and endocrine function.

 Depression (Kiecolt-Glaser and Newton 2001).

Sociological research shows that marital strain erodes physical health, and that the negative effect of marital strain on health becomes greater with advancing age (Umberson et al. 2006). 

Nagasawa and colleagues (1990) found that negative social environments and their perceived barriers predicted poor compliance to medical regimens among diabetes patients.

What’s happening  at office and school can also interfere with health.

Takeaway

Social relationships are important  for physical , mental and psychological health  .

Quality and Quantity of relationships are both important .

Peer pressure,religious clans are examples of potentially negative social effects.

So any social company needs to be evaluated with respect to the positive effect they have.

[bctt tweet=””It’s better to be alone than in bad company “” username=”misra_amrita”]

 #TRUTH 10

For Bloggers and Solopreneurs :

This post is especially important for bloggers and solopreneurs.If you are doing anything alone , it’s a strain on your mental health.

“Joy shared is doubled  and burden shared is halved”

Join communities like Blogchatter and see how blogging becomes a social movement with tea parties thrown in.

In this busy world if your offline friends don’t get your spirit , find your friends online.

I did .For #Microblog Mondays is easily the most fun twitter chat ever.

You find friends ,learn ,grow and just get support for your dreams.

Sometimes it just takes one more person to believe.  

References

  • Zhang Zhenmei, Hayward Mark D. Gender, the Marital Life Course, and Cardiovascular Disease in Late Midlife. Journal of Marriage and Family.2006;68:639–57.
  • Willson Andrea E. Race and Women’s Income Trajectories: Employment, Marriage, and Income Security over the Life Course. Social Problems.2003;50:87–110.
  • World Health Organization.Mental Health: Strengthening Mental Health Promotion. Fact Sheet No 220. 2007 Retrieved August 23, 2009 (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/index.html)
  • Umberson Debra, Williams Kristi, Powers Daniel A, Chen Meichu. As Good as It Gets? A Life Course Perspective on Marital Quality. Social Forces.2005;84:493–511.[PMC free article] [PubMed]
  • Thoits Peggy. Personal Agency and the Stress Process. Journal of Health and Social Behavior.2006;47:309–23. [PubMed]
  • Thombs Dennis L, Wolcott Bette Jean, Farkash Lauren G. Social Context, Perceived Norms and Drinking Behavior in Young People. Journal of Substance Abuse. 1997;9:257–67. [PubMed]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3150158/#!po=95.6667

 

Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy

 

Debra Umberson and Jennifer Karas Montez

 

  • Educator. 1990;16:192–200.[PubMed]
  • Nock Steven L. Marriage in Men’s Lives. New York: Oxford University Press; 1998.
  • Palloni Alberto. Reproducing Inequalities: Luck, Wallets, and the Enduring Effects of Childhood Health. Demography.2006;43:587–615. [PubMed]
  • Seeman Teresa E, Singer Burton H, Ryff Carol D, Love Gayle Dienberg, Levy-Storms Lené. Social Relationships, Gender, and Allostatic Load across Two Age Cohorts. Psychosomatic Medicine. 2002;64:395–406.[PubMed]

Does Royale Atmos by Asian Paints stop Indoor air pollution?

By on 26

I love spending time at home. For me, it’s important to have a clean and fresh home. A few days back while getting a bookshelf painted, I made sure they took it to the shop, to get it done. Extra expenses, but these paints are full of nasty chemicals called VOC which spread all through the home. It is very harmful to children and adults too. I started researching VOCs from the time I was pregnant. That’s when women start having worries about the environment, air quality and the world in general. Our feeling of mortality and the world we are leaving for our child. India ranking among the top 10, in having most polluted indoor air didn’t make me feel happy.

I thought only burning wood and other biomass caused poor indoor air quality. The Narendra Modi government has subsidized LPG gas and has helped millions switch to healthier cooking gas options.But what about VOCs?That’s present even in urban and affluent homes. In fact, the indoor air may have five times more such pollutants than outdoor air.

But what exactly are these VOCs?

Formaldehyde, benzene, toluene(VOCs) are VOCs.Some of these VOCs are suspected carcinogens.VOCs or volatile organic compounds are emitted by a lot of products used in homes.

They include:

  • Paints, paint strippers, and other solvents
  • Wood preservatives
  • Aerosol sprays
  • Cleansers and disinfectants
  • Moth repellents and air fresheners
  • Stored fuels and automotive products
  • Hobby supplies
  • Dry-cleaned clothing
  • Pesticide

VOCs, evaporate into the air when you use these and even when they are stored.In fact, pressed wood furniture can emit VOCs several years after they are made. But why are VOCs bad?

What effect do Volatile organic compounds have on your body?

VOCs have a wide range of strange effects on your body. They can irritate eyes, nose, and throat. They may cause headaches and make you nauseous. Long-term exposure can damage liver, kidneys, and are cancer causing too!

Unfortunately, in India, emission standards for VOCs are not mentioned. Ask me why? The government forgot to make it mandatory. That’s why you end up inhaling VOC s in various amounts from many unknown sources. None of which are documented openly.

These are scary thoughts but you can still do a lot to make your room air fresh and clean.

7 Things I will do to make my new home air clean and fresh

1)I am getting my home painted with a lead-free eco-friendly paint option. God’s were listening because while before only a few brands offered this option now there are at least 3 well-known brands having an option of lead-free paint. But what has made me really happy is the new Asian paints Royale Atmos. The company claims the wall paint is not only lead-free but has an activated carbon mechanism to actively remove VOCs from room air. How effective is it?That I will need to find out.

How cool is that? I was very happy to hear this. Now my plan is to save enough money to be able to afford it for my new home. With innovations like this, I am excited.

2)I plan to keep a cute open container of baking powder in all the wet areas. This helps to decrease damp and mold. Mold can also make the room air of poor quality. It causes allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other allergic tendencies. Also, one wall getting damp can spread throughout the home. Mold problems are very difficult to get rid off. Prevention will definitely help.

3)I have also planned Vertical indoor gardens for my balcony, living room and maybe the guest room. That again will depend on the total budget.I can start small, right?

The places where I can’t have a vertical garden I will have potted plants with low water need.

How many plants per person is adequate to give fresh air?

1 to 3 per 100 square feet is adequate.NASA very helpfully prepared a list of indoor plants which are efficient at improving indoor air quality and produce oxygen even in low light conditions indoors.

4)I  will only use homemade pesticides for my plants. That’s what I do even now.

5)I plan to check the emission standards of my electronic appliances and act accordingly.

6)Buy sustainable eco-friendly furniture. Pressed wood has a very high quantity of VOC.So I am planning on using reclaimed wood or bamboo.I already have several wrought iron and reclaimed wood pieces. Definitely no leather sofas. There goes, my dream recliner! But it’s for good health. Right?

7)I am also going to avoid dry cleaning as far as possible. The fluid used for dry cleaning emits the VOCs for a very long time.

This is my 7 step plan of action for my new home. One to four I  have decided, five is going to be challenging, six fun researching. Tell me in the comments below how you keep your room air fresh and clean.

Disclaimer: Writing this for an Indiblogger campaign with Asian paints.#CleanAirBeautifulHomes after loving the idea of Royale atmos.

Click to see the video, if you are too busy to read now. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Posts in this series

Plastic pollution population:Hard truths

Delhi pollution

Indoor air pollution

Indoor air

Greening the planet earth

Car air purifier: Why I want it

Lead paint and pollution

Sound pollution

Hearing and Headphones

Say no to plastic water bottles

noise-induced hearing loss

Environmental pollution awareness and strict action

 

, , ,

Is the Air you Breathe Indoor Killing you?

By on 31

India ranks among the top 10.Excited?In what you ask?
India’s cities and towns have the highest level of indoor air pollution amongst the world’s top cities.Sad shocking and totally disturbing.This WHO REPORT  shares national disease load due to indoor Air pollution.India has more than 1.5 million deaths per year due to indoor air pollution.

Important  facts about Indoor Air Pollution

  • 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using open fires and simple stoves.They burn biomass (wood, animal dung, and crop waste) and coal.
  •  4 million people die prematurely from illness due to household air pollution, from cooking with solid fuels.
  •  50% of premature deaths due to pneumonia among children under 5 are caused by the particulate matter (soot) inhaled from household air pollution..

Causes of Premature deaths are:

These include noncommunicable diseases like stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, which are partly attributed to exposure to household air pollution.
 
PREMATURE DEATHS DU TO POOR QUALITY INDOOR AIR
Premature deaths and poor indoor air quality

Premature deaths due to indoor air pollution :

  • 12% are due to Pneumonia
  • 34% from Stroke
  • 26% from Ischaemic heart disease
  • 22% from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
  • 6% from Lung cancer.

 

Western countries have indoor air quality guidelines.It’s 20 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter. In India, it averages 375 micrograms per cubic meter.

The burning of solid fuel is a big culprit,the section of society using biomass as fuel needs help.For this, we need Government help, subsidies.Thankfully it’s happening slowly but definitely happening.

But what about urban indoor air pollution?

Do you have any idea about what your home, office, shopping malls air contain?Unfortunately, there are no well-defined emission norms for Air conditioners, refrigerators, toasters in India.So the data is not easily available.
Quality of indoor air affects children more often.
Asthma ,allergic rhinitis , has reached shocking levels in children.

What can be your solution for this?

  • Choose your home paint with care.Avoid lead in household paint.
  • Be careful about emission standards of household products.
  •  Have indoor plants and your own indoor garden.Have balcony gardens.Have window gardens, have plants everywhere.Plants are great  indoor decor option.

 [bctt tweet=”“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” ― Robert F. Kennedy” username=”misra_amrita”]

Balcony garden with Chikoo plant
Balcony garden with Chikoo plant

 The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Indoor Allergen Committee in a 2010 report recommended  that allergists consider indoor air filtration to be part of a comprehensive strategy to improve respiratory health.

Indoor air filters and air purifiers with HEPA filters can help.
But that’s just sweeping the dust under the carpet. It doesn’t address the greater problem of a more comprehensive plan to remove air pollutants.But HEPA filters are expensive and not a solution to the Indian problem.Indoor Plants are cheap, easy, pretty, low maintenance solution to this serious problem.

How plants improve air quality?

They can absorb ambient VOCs , improve the quality of air and produce oxygen.They purify ambient air and produce fresh oxygen for you to breathe!

Photosynthesis is the method by which plants produce oxygen.It depends on the  presence of Carbon dioxide, light and water molecules.
Indoor air plant can produce oxygen even in low light conditions .
They also remove air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, toluene(VOCs).Some of these VOCs are suspected carcinogens.

VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products used in homes including:

  •  Paints, paint strippers, and other solvents
  • Wood preservatives
  • Aerosol sprays
  • Cleansers and disinfectants
  • Moth repellents and air fresheners
  • Stored fuels and automotive products
  • Hobby supplies
  • Dry-cleaned clothing
  • Pesticide

VOCs, evaporate into the air when these products are used or sometimes even when they are stored.

 What effect do Volatile organic compounds have on your body?

  • Irritate the eyes, nose, and throat
  • Causes headaches
  • Nausea,
  • Damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.
  • Some of them can even cause cancer.

These harmful chemicals are removed from the indoor air by absorption through the stoma on leaves.

They are then broken down into simple chemical components which are harmless.For example, take formaldehyde.It’s strongly suspected to be potentially causing cancer in humans.Plants can break it down to Carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms and make it harmless.

Sources of formaldehyde  at home:

  • Pressed woods
  • Some types of foam insulation
  • Paper products
  • Some paints and varnishes

How many plants per person is adequate to provide fresh air?

1 to 3 per 100 square feet is said to be adequate.

So What kind of plants are best?

 NASA  report compiled an interesting list of plants.
  • English Ivy(Hedera Helix)
  • Golden Pothos
  • Epipremnum aureum, also known as devil’s ivy: reduces air levels of benzene and trichloroethylene.
  • Boston fern(Nephrolepis Exalta Bostoniensis)

Ferns had the highest formaldehyde-removal efficiency of all the plants tested, especially Osmunda japonica, commonly known as Japanese royal fern, or zenma

  • Bamboo palm: removes benzene and trichloroethylene(Chamaedorea Elegans)
  • Dragon tree: (Dracaena Marginata)removes xylene
  • Peace Lily: Spathiphyllum
  • Lady Palm: Rhapis Excelsa
  • Spider Plant: Chlorophytum Comosum
  • Snake Plant: Sansevieria Trifasciata

 

What happens when you are not home?

That’s the biggest problem that stumps indoor gardeners.
Another problem with container gardening is providing optimal nutrition.

The good news I found a solution.

 The Fairytale story…..

While watching Egiye Bangla an interesting program on ZEE BANGLA promoting entrepreneurship,  I heard the most wonderful idea.It was an Urban gardeners dream.The winner Jayabrata Bhaduri was one of the  4 entrepreneurs behind Capacloud a startup company.

They had a solution to increase green friendly biophilic designs.I was so excited I tracked down , this Bengali entrepreneur  Jayabrata  Bhaduri on Facebook.Sent him a message and requested a meeting, to see how in the world did they do it.Very kindly he arranged a meeting with their mentor and guide.I turned up at the designated meeting place with my hubby, who was by now quite shocked that he had agreed to meet a stranger in their home/laboratory about gardening.
Nothing to do with medicine.But everything to do with health.Yes, that was my winning argument.

The time spent in the laboratory/workshop and terrace garden was  pure magic.The extent and scope of their innovation was mind boggling!

Their winning idea:

  • Lego-style tiles(Ecotop) made of some special material(Top secret)
  • This tile is incorporated with special nutrients.
  • This tile can be placed on almost any surface, to make growing green anywhere a distinct reality.

Experiments suggest they can provide a well-balanced plant nutrition,  through their special technology for up to 5 years.Yes, that’s true 5 years!

 

Indoor Vertical Garden
Indoor Vertical Garden:Image courtesy  Capacloud
 

 

Vertical Gardening +Hydroponics+Something special=Capaclouds  new innovation.

Managing corporate orders is the top priority of the company right now.But they are planning to bring it to the indoor gardeners in the very near future.

Their upcoming project involves the United States Embassy in Kolkata.A young company already going places!

 

So how exactly Capacloud’s  innovation, can revolutionize Urban gardening?

1)  You can have improved  air quality in

  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Hotels
  • Home
  • Offices
  • Public places
  • External walls

 

Vertical Garden :Biophilic design
Vertical Garden :Biophilic design

Image courtesy  Capacloud

2) Garden anywhere!
3) It’s supremely aimed as a biophilic interior design option.
4)It’s inspirational, restorative, and healthy.
5)Its design can adapt to the functionality of the place Seamlessly integrates to interiors.
6)It provides nutrition to the plants for 5 years with an easy method of replenishing it.

 

7)Its innovative tile design makes it suitable for all surfaces.
 
8)The nutrition mix is just right for bountiful growth.
 
 

No problem of plant sitters when you go for trips.Have your own urban jungle if you want.Eastern India leads in the incidence of nonsmokers with lung cancer.How many of you plant trees?How many of you have your own window boxes of greenery/balcony garden/terrace garden?

 

 So how indoor plants do?

  • Produce oxygen
  • Absorb Carbon dioxide
  • Removes volatile organic compounds: nitrogen dioxide, benzene, and formaldehyde & others.
  • The plants remove all the poisons from the air and make your air breathable.

So how exactly does increased oxygen improve your health?

 Improved cardiovascular health Decreases diastolic Pressure and calms out sympathetic system which is responsible for psychological and physiological stress .
  • Plants enhance job satisfaction in office workers
  • Improve mood states =increased feeling of wellbeing.Helps stabilize mood.
  • Enhance cognitive health
  • Improves clarity of thought= more productivity
  • Increased creativity=you have brilliant  ideas
  • Improve immunity and healing.

Why Indoor air plants?

  • Plants are a useful way of improving air quality.
  • Easily available.
  • Maintenance is easy.
  • Suitable for all environment.
  • Plants provide an actionable option in situations where other more expensive technology may be grossly inadequate.

My take:

I think it’s time you took back your lungs.Do something for yourself. For the air you breathe.

For your children.It’s not about the future.It’s about the present.The world you live in is slowly being turned into a wasteland.Air, water, soil, sound pollution.The critical balance  between the different elements of our ecosystem is terribly distorted.The possibility of this restored in the ecosystem is gradually decreased.Honestly, nobody is stopping, to think that only plants produce life-saving oxygen.

You can live without the internet, but how long can you live without breathing?No life will be possible on earth without plants.Artificial sources of oxygen are just that artificial and are only temporary solutions.If you made your home green soon your city,  country and eventually mother earth would be green again.Let’s go green!

Updated:September 2017 

I decided to update this post because I am getting work done in my new home usindg some of these ideas.You will know the truth behind all the claims .Also Capacloud is now doing home spaces too!.Must check out their website for more details.

 

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Lead free paint in India :What you must know

By on 29

Writing and researching my next book on nature and play for daily wellbeing

Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS)

I am an ENT surgeon by profession, previously working at a Medical college. I believe the Internet is God’s way of providing health and wealth information for all. The important thing is to find the right information.

My    home is three-quarters done. Now I need a good lead-free eco-friendly paint option in India. That’s why I am aggressively researching paints and services. I have already written about Lead poisoning a few years back. That needed an update. Since that time our government has decided to pass laws to restrict lead paint in household paints. But is that enough? A few questions need answering.

 How is Lead used in paints?

It’s used as pigments. Lead carbonate or white lead makes the paint a white /cream color. Lead tetroxide is used to create bright red paint.

 Why is lead used in paints?

  •  Lead helps in drying quickly.
  • It makes the paint durable.
  • Makes the paint moisture resistant.
  • Its cheap

This made lead paints popular for use in homes, on metal exposed to the elements, and even children’s toys. Shocked?I was too when I researched for this article. Only lead paint at home is not a problem. Children can get exposed to industrial paints from various sources.

Both children and adults are at risk when exposed to lead paint. Paint applied to roads, highways, steel structures, industrial buildings, vehicles, and farm equipment all need to be free. When these paints grow old, it degrade, flake off and chips fall. This is the culprit behind long-term slow air pollution (by lead dust )  and soil contamination. This is a bigger problem when the paint is removed. The workers at these places are exposed to lead and take home this poison in their clothes, hair, skin.

The problem is industrial paints are applied to homes, schools, and consumer products. Where are the laws to stop schools and public places from using lead in paint?

Brands which have embraced lead-free and low VOC paint options include

  • Kansai Nerolac
  • Asian paints: Many products. They started their green assure product range 7 years back. They have also launched a new product Royale Atmos which absorbs VOC
  • Berger paints Breathe Easy Emulsion

(Any other? Let me know. I will update)

The  Indian Government has fixed the content of lead in house paints to less than 90  ppm. That’s a great initiative  But more decisions need to be taken, quickly. Lead is a poison. It’s difficult to remove. It poisons the air, water, soil, and your food.

With Delhi pollution still a shocking reality, are we going to let our government dilly – dally with a known poison?

Both children and adults are at risk. The Government may do too little too late. Since you know this. What are you going to do now?

My wish :

Clean air, water, soil for all of us.

Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS)
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Resources:

1)G.S.R. 409(E) [08-04-2016] : Regulation on Lead contents in Household and Decorative Paints Rules, 2016

2)http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/lead-content-limit-should-apply-to-all-paints-experts/article8602249.ece

3) Lead poisoning:What you can do

4)Indoor Air pollution

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