affirmations Archives - Eco Health Solutions

When Building Biology Means Building Courage

by Lucinda Curran | affirmations, building biology, buildings and health, indoor environmental health, inspiration, life lessons

Developments in My World Around Building Biology

Building courage has been important in these three great things that have happened in the last week or so.

First

Firstly, I finnnaaalllllyyyyyy completed my Advanced Diploma in Building Biology. With only one subject to go, loads of travel, and a lot of work on my plate, it was such a struggle to get this done. Pretty much every block of time that I had set aside to study, something came up or someone needed something, and my study time disappeared. I started to recognise the pattern, so I set a date. I focused and worked really hard to get through the enormous pile of readings, and do the assessments. I had to push the date out a tiny bit, but I DID IT!!

Second

The second one was the talk I did for the AustralAsian Academy of Anti Ageing Medicine conference on 3rd August. I was so ridiculously nervous. I have spoken to around 5000 people in the building industry in the last twelve months, but this one had me running scared. Why? Because I created an idea of what I thought they expected and knew I wouldn’t be doing that. I made up this story that had me all freaked out and in avoidance mode. To top it off, I was the second speaker for the day, and listening the to first one confirmed my stories (he was incredible!!). I had to really get the self-talk happening, that it was going to be fine – completely different style, completely different level of information, and perfect in its uniqueness. It was a smaller group that I was used to (around 70), but this actually made me more nervous! Anyway, I got up there and did it. I could hear a slight waver in my voice, fortunately no one else noticed. At the end, I was astonished at the positive reception I had for it. And now, all of those medical professionals are more aware of the role that our built environments play in our health, and are thinking more broadly in how best to assist their patients.

Third

And most recently, I heard back that my application to be a speaker at the Indoor Air Quality Association conference in 2019 in the US was approved! Applying for this was scary as it meant putting myself out there, possibly being rejected, and then if accepted, speaking in front of some amazing scientific minds… I did it anyway, even though I was literally terrified. Straight after sending it, I posted “I did it!” on social media – because it was such a big deal…

So, why am I sharing all of this?

I think all of us get scared of doing things, and procrastinate and push them down the list. But I think all of those things we need to do are important on the grander scale, and it is only the stories we create that hold us back.

I really want to encourage you to just do it anyway. You never know just how your action can ripple out into the world and make it a better place.

Sleep: Why Is it So Important?

by Lucinda Curran | affirmations, detoxification, dust mites, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, health, high frequencies, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, mould, radiofrequencies, sleep, stress

Do you struggle to get a good night’s sleep?

Many people do these days, and this can have a bigger impact that just feeling sleepy all day, or perhaps being on the caffeine-cycle. Ironically, according to apps on our devices, there is an “insomnia epidemic.”

When you are tired, you don’t function so well – your mood is off, your tolerance levels are down, you are easily agitated or stressed. As well, over time, this can deplete you and your immunity is also affected.

Why is Sleep so Important?

Sleep is incredibly important as it is the time that we heal and recover from our day – in preparation for the next day. Sleep is when we detoxify, when we create melatonin (a hormone which has an antioxidant effect) and when we rest.

It is one of the most important physiological functions we do, in my opinion.

What Affects Sleep?

There are many factors that can impact sleep. Some of these are:

Stress
Eating too late
Caffeine
Conversation
Poor sleep hygiene
Environmental stressors

Did You Know…?

Did you know that if you use your device for two hours in the evening that it affects the quality of your sleep; melatonin production; your mood, attention and accuracy the following day?

Research links this to the short-wave light emitted from the LED lights inside our devices (Green, et al, 2017). I wonder if there is more to it, and the use of these devices on wi-fi or 3G/4G/5G is also playing a role.

What Can I Do to Improve My Sleep?

I am going to focus purely on environmental stressors here…

1) Promote melatonin production – ensure your bedroom is dark. If this isn’t possible, it would be worth using an eye shade.

2) Reduce the radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) – turn off your mobile phone and wi-fi router

3) Reduce indoor air contaminants – remove scented reeds and candles from your bedroom

4) Minimise exposure to allergens – use a silk pillowcase to reduce issues with house dust mites (HDM)

5) Reduce your exposure to biotoxins – address any mould in your home

Still Concerned?

Then contact me and we can arrange a
Virtual Indoor Environmental Health Assessment
to assess and address stressors in your environment.

References

Green, A, Cohen-Zion, M, Haim, A & Dagan, Y (2017) Evening Light Exposure to Computer Screens Disrupts Human Sleep, Biological Rhythms and Attention Abilities Chronobiology International (Online) Available at https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2017.1324878 (May 2017)

#sleep #indoorenvironmentalhealth #environmentalstressors

Life Lessons

by Lucinda Curran | affirmations, death, happiness, health, life lessons, self-care

Life Lessons

Reminders of life lessons often happen when we least expect them – and most need the nudge. Something happened this week that really made me stop and think – a LOT. I witnessed something traumatic that picked my up by the scruff and gave me a good shaking. It made me want to reach out to you, because maybe this will help you to – but also because I haven't been writing all that often, and that is something I want to change.

Here's what happened:

I was in Canberra last week for work – and finished it off with my “3 Keys to Creating a Healthier Home” workshop at WoW (it was great to have a room full of people who were interested and informed and wanted to make a difference) and my Dad's 91st birthday (he is in such good health and spirit). At the airport, I was heading over to the desk to check my luggage in when I spotted an older gentleman sitting on the floor with his head in his hands, his wife standing next to him looking concerned. Our exchange went like this:

“Are you both okay?” I enquire. “He's not,” she says. “What can I do to help you?” “Nothing, we are just deciding whether we are flying or not.” “Can I get help for you? Do want me to get airport staff? Medical aid??” “No, we're fine,” she assures me.

I join the queue, not wanting to be an annoying stranger, but really sensing the need to help them. A few minutes later, I hear a crash. I turn to see him collapsed on the floor. They had begun to walk, and he collapsed.

Things happened quickly now.

There was a crowd of passengers around him, assisting. One comes back to ask the airline staff to get the paramedics – the staff spring into action. Then, they flip the man onto his back and begin CPR – pumping his chest and then breathing for him.

I am in shock – he is dead.

They stop CPR as they have revived him… Thank goodness!!

Without more story, he was still alive the last time I saw him – and I hope that he is okay.

I really was in shock.

It was clear they needed help. I had offered. They refused.

He collapsed, died and was revived. I put myself in her shoes – her loved one collapsed and died in front of eyes.

Just like that.

The “what if's” flooded my mind. What if I had've called for help regardless and he didn't die there? What if…?????

Needless to say, I was a very upset and crying a lot.

Then, instead of beating myself up for not seeking the help that they hadn't wanted, instead I focused on the lessons.

Life Lessons: here is what I learned from this

Make the most of the here and now – every person, moment, event, etc because you never know when things will change.
Don't put things off – do them now – take action! I often catch myself thinking, “I'll do that when I retire.” I may not make it!
Don't leave things unresolved – sort out problems, heal wounds, build bridges.
If there is something wrong, reach out, tell the truth about what is going on – not like the little boy who cried wolf, but genuinely.

I hope that sharing this traumatic situation will be of benefit to you and others. I invite you to reach out to someone to remind them you love them – and perhaps even stretch that out to someone with whom there has been some discomfort with. Have a happy and healthy day. Shine and Succeed!

#lifelessons #makethemostofeverything #makepeace