Sleep: Why Is it So Important?

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

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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

 

Insomnia Epidemic

The “Insomnia Epidemic”

There has been much talk recently of an insomnia epidemic. Have you heard about it?

It has been primarily based on data collected by devices such as smart phones and watches.

There is an enormous irony, though, because from what I am seeing, there is a chance that these very devices are contributing to the problem.

I have explained it in this video.

 


Did you know your alarm clock can also play a role in insomnia?

Many people place their electric alarm clocks right next to their heads.

This can expose them to very high levels of ELF AC electric fields and magnetic fields.

“I’m alright, I use my phone!”

Well then, in that case, you are likely to be exposing yourself to very high levels of high-frequency radiation, which I see affects many people’s sleep, as discussed above.

What then?

Simple.

Just get yourself a battery-operated alarm clock.

I stock some here (they also measure temperature and humidity) – a dream device! 😉

Have you followed the above steps and are still having problems?

What else can you do? There are lots of measures that you can take. Here are some.

Check out this post on why sleep is so important.

Any form of stress can hamper sleep. Keep a check on:

  • Work-related stress
  • Relationships
  • Big changes
  • Light (this can help)
  • Noise
  • Environmental stressors, such as mould, poor air quality

Also, you should consider your use of devices in the evening. Watch this video.

And your bed and bedding can also play a role. Check this out.

Still not quite right?
Let's talk – please book a call here. >>

Mobile Phones – Aussie Kids

Changes To Mobile Phone Use and Ownership in Aussie Kids

Recent Roy Morgan research finds that girls own their first mobile phones earlier than boys.

Children between the ages of 6-13 were surveyed, along with children 14 years and over. They found that from the age of 8-9 years old, 12% more girls than boys own mobile phones.

The survey is discussed here, and this graph is taken from this page.

Concerns About Young People Using This Technology

Apart from:

  • the lack of real face-to-face social skills
  • the risk of 24/7 bullying
  • the fact that WHO and IARC classified radiofrequency EMF (used for wireless technology) as a possible human carcinogen

… there are numerous concerns about the use of mobile phones, particularly for the young developing/growing bodies.

Recently at the 2016 Environmental Sensitivities Symposium, Dr Mary Redmayne shared research that she did in 2009 into New Zealand ‘tweens usage of mobile phones, comparing it to nowadays. She found that many children used their phones “covertly” – inside their pockets and so forth, which can be particularly problematic in terms of the proximity to reproductive organs.

I am not going to delve into that here… merely point out ways to stay safe.


Staying Safe from Mobile Phones

I am going to add to this list:

1) Divert/forward mobile phones to your corded landline, and then turn your mobile phone off.

2) Don't hold onto your mobile phone when it is on or in use.

3) Carry your phone in a Radiation-Reducing Phone Case to reduce what you are exposed to – and ideally keep it in flight-mode while you do this.

4) Air-Tube Earphones are a better alternatives to the standard ones – but speakerphone is better still.

5) Put your mobile phone in flight mode and turn it off when it is not in use.

6) Charge it overnight – well away from bedrooms.

7) A side note – if you use a tablet – follow these steps to hardwire it, so that you don't have to use wi-fi.

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Some extra tips for mobile phone safety from Environmental Health Trust:

Avoid using your cell phone when the signal is weak or when moving at high speed… as automatically power increases to emit a maximum amount of radiation because the phone repeatedly attempts to connect to each nearest network antenna.

 

Children should only use cell phones for emergencies. Children’s skulls are thinner than adults’ and their brains are still developing. Hence, radiation from cell phones penetrates more deeply into their brains and is likely to cause more damage.

Avoid using your cell phone in metal contained spaces like a car, elevator, bus, train or airplane.

Protect your fertility. This radiation has been shown to damage sperm and the ovaries. Many people move the phone away from their head to reduce exposure but down to their torso forgetting that a cell phone or laptop to the abdomen results in higher radiation absorption to the reproductive organs.

 

Read your cell phone manual to find the minimum distance the federal government recommends that your cell phone must be kept away from your body. Keeping it closer than the designated distance can result in a violation of the FCC Exposure Limit. Exceeding FCC levels is proven to result in burns, sterility, and brain damage. Learn more about fine print instructions at ShowTheFinePrint.Org.

Remember that these “minimum distances” in the cell phone manuals do not protect you from nonthermal effects such as sperm damage, damaged brain cells and increased brain cancer risk. Federal guidelines are set thousands of times too high to protect from these “nonthermal” effects from long term low level cumulative exposures.

Special Note if You're Pregnant It is especially important for those who are pregnant to reduce cell phone exposures because research has shown cell phone radiation can damage to the brain and reproductive system in developing pregnancies. To learn more, please go to the Baby Safe Project.

#mobilephonesafety #mobilephone #EMF

Hawthorn University Holistic Detoxification Presentation

Hawthorn University: Holistic Detoxification

Hawthorn University offer high level online training to health practitioners, predominantly naturopaths. So, I was thrilled to receive an invitation from Hawthorn University to present a webinar.

I have watched many of their webinars, which are available for free and are presented by highly respected people, so as you can imagine, getting an invitation from them was such an honour.

The topic which I presented on is, of course, so dear to my heart – Holistic Detoxification: How to Create a Healthy Home Which Supports Healing.

Too often I hear stories of people on the (expensive) merry-go-round of treatments, objects, supplements, drugs… when in many cases the cause is environmental and can easily be addressed by changing the environment.

I wanted to help students of natural therapies and practitioners understand more about this and avoid unnecessary treatments and delays.

In a nutshell, the topics that I covered in my webinar include:

  • why detoxification is so important
  • case studies
  • our built environment
  • hindrances to detoxification
  • action steps for your clients/patients
  • when to think of the environment

After the webinar, I was able to answer the questions asked by the audience – and they were such fabulous questions.

I would like to publicly thank Hawthorn University for the opportunity to present this webinar, all of the audience members, and everyone who has watched it since. What an honour!! 🙂

Hawthorn University Presentation

#hawthornuniversity #holisticdetoxification #buildingbiology #health

Use Your Laptop or Device Safely: How to Reduce Your EME Exposure

Device-Use…

Device-use (tablets, laptops and smart phones) has skyrocketed since I first wrote this post back in 2014. They not only are used widely but dominate the lives of many.

The rampant use of devices is apparent when looking about. So many people walk down the street glued to their device. Somehow they manage to avoid colliding with power poles and people.

It has become such a problem that we have new phrases, like “Digital Detox” as part of our vocabulary, now.


With my work as an Indoor Environmental Health Consultant, I get a range of enquiries from people about different things. One of the biggest areas of questioning is about reducing exposure to electromagnetic energy (RF EME).

The most asked question is, “How can I use my laptop or device safely?”

There are three types of EME exposure associated with laptops and devices which will be discussed below.

Let’s cover a bit of the scientific background so it makes more sense.

AC Electric Fields – ELF

The electric fields emitted from many household appliances fall into the category of Extra Low Frequency (ELF). Electric fields are created where there is electricity under pressure. This means that any wiring connected to a power source, can emit an electric field.

Further, a buildings’ wiring can have an electric field even when there are no appliances plugged in. Electric fields can occur when an appliance is plugged in and not in use.

I always recommend people to unplug cords from power points when they are not in use.

Electric fields are also proportional to voltage and they decrease with distance from the source. Therefore, keeping away from appliances that are plugged in can reduce exposure.

Common sources include power lines, household wiring, lighting, and smartphone chargers. As well as all appliances, including, hair straighteners, irons, kettles, electric blankets, electric ovens, electric hot water systems, slab heating…

ELF electric fields have been associated with Electrical Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS), also known as Electrical Sensitivity (ES). This condition can manifest with some or all of these and other symptoms:

  • skin symptoms (a feeling of itchiness or biting, redness, a burning sensation)
  • eye symptoms (redness, dryness, pain)
  • poor concentration, and
  • dizziness.

Some other health effects that have been associated with ELF electric fields include:

  • sleep disturbances,
  • fatigue,
  • headache,
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus),
  • and a constant feeling of a cold or flu about to start but not eventuating.
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AC Magnetic Fields – ELF

Magnetic fields exist in nature. This can be seen when the field of the earth causes the compass needle to point to north.

However, it is with man-made magnetic fields that we are mostly concerned.

Magnetic fields are created when an appliance is switched on. That is, it directly relates to a current being drawn. This is why I always recommend clients turn off any appliance that is not in use at the wall.

Magnetic fields arise from the motion of the electrical charge (WHO, 2012). This is especially the case in alternating current (AC) as the electricity changes direction frequently.

Common sources of ELF magnetic fields are the same as for Electric Fields.

There is a large body of evidence that links ELF magnetic fields with biological changes. Possible health effects, according to Professor Adey, include:

  • a reduction in the immune system,
  • abnormal foetal development,
  • changes to cell growth and development,
  • changes or interruptions to the brain and central nervous system

Other linked or suspected health effects include breast cancer, miscarriage, depression and suicide.

Radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME)

On the electromagnetic spectrum, radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) is between 3kHz and 300GHz. Here we measure the combined electric and magnetic fields and refer to this as electromagnetic radiation.

There is an ever-increasing range of sources for radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) as we move towards wireless technology.

As the race to “get rid of unsightly wires” continues, we are adding many layers of convenience to our lifestyles. Some of these “advances” include driverless cars, 5G and so on.

Sources include mobile phone towers, cordless telephones, satellite transmitters, mobile phones, tablets and i-pads, wireless games such as Wii and X-Box, many baby monitors, wireless computer accessories including printer, keyboard, and mouse, wireless internet connections, smart meters and so on.

Numerous health concerns have been linked with RF electromagnetic energy. These include:

  • disturbed sleep,
  • headaches,
  • learning difficulties,
  • concentration problems,
  • fatigue,
  • waking feeling unrefreshed,
  • anxiety,
  • depression,
  • muscle and joint aches and pains,
  • ringing in the ears,
  • hearing loss,
  • palpitations, and more.

As well, there have been some links made to brain tumours, epilepsy, blood pressure, and lowered immunity.

UPDATE (Jan 2020): As we speak, research is being done as the new technology of 5G is being rolled out.

What is evident is that there is not enough research that shows it is safe to use.

Some of the concerns centre around the fact that we will be utilising even higher up the electromagnetic spectrum, into the millimetre waves.

Millimetre waves do not travel very far, and cannot penetrate walls, however, they can penetrate our skin and our eyes. (Lower levels of RF EME can penetrate deeper into our bodies.)

How Can I Use My Laptop or Device Safely?

1. Laptops and devices have a massive advantage over the desktop computer, in my eyes

This advantage is that they can be used on battery. Anything that is plugged in uses AC power. AC stands for “alternating current.” Alternating current is where electricity passes back and forth through the wires. In contrast, a battery uses DC, or “direct current” – which only goes one way. In short, DC is safer than AC.

Unplug the charger and use your laptop or device on battery.

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2. No matter what, I always recommend that you used wired connections – for Internet, mouse and keyboard.

This point is a bit of a 3-for-1 deal – I can’t just give you three tips!

Ultimately, this tip is about reducing your exposure to the radio frequency end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Here’s the best things that you can do – get a keyboard and mouse that you can plug into your laptop. (Not all devices have this option, so I would suggest using a stylus instead of your fingers.)

Using the wired keyboard and mouse means that you have a greater distance from your laptop. This is always a good thing. It also means that you are not relying on a wireless (radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) connection).

Using a wired Internet connection is part of this solution.

Note that you will also need to turn off the Wi-Fi capabilities on your computer. Otherwise, it will constantly be searching for a connection. Leaving it on would then be defeating the purpose of using a wired connection) AND you will need to have a modem that does not have Wi-Fi capabilities.

Finding one can be a little tricky. I located some at my local office supply store. I got a modem that had no aerial and only worked via Ethernet connections. It only cost about $50.

So, swap your wireless bits and pieces for wired/cabled equivalents. 

3. Despite its name, do not EVER use your laptop or device on your lap.

We have already discussed the health implications above, and I have pointed out that distance is the key.

The other thing to think about is that by having it on your lap, it is close to your reproductive organs.

Science is only beginning to recognise and accept that there can be health effects beyond the thermal changes.

A bit of background information

When radar began to be used mid last century, the thermal effects of radiofrequency EME were recognised as problematic for health.

The thermal effects on the body have been used as the measuring stick for health effects. This is despite the fact that the vast array of associated health effects have nothing to do with tissues being warmed.

Therefore, never use your laptop or device when it is in contact with your body. 

There you have it – 3 tips to help you use your laptop or device more safely.

I hope you have found this information helpful. Please feel free to get in touch with me if there is more you would like to hear about.

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POSTSCRIPT

As things have evolved, there are many laptop mats that shield from wireless technology (RF).

TAKE CARE!

RF EME can bounce back off the mat. This can increase what you are exposed to. So if you are sitting over it, it can be a double whammy.

As much as it would be lovely to have a “magic pill” to protect us from RF…

The best and most reliable way is to not have it.

This is a stretch for many people, but would you knowingly put your health at risk?

Available in store now – all for shielding/reducing your exposure to ELF AC Electric Fields:

It is also important to consider connectivity – using an ethernet adaptor is key. Read more here.


Further reading: