Let's face it. The air we breathe every day isn't top quality. It's better than other countries certainly but there's still room for improvement. If you work from a home office you may feel a bit suffocated in the summer and winter when the heat or air conditioning needs to be blasting and you can't circulate fresh air from outside. That's why we've compiled a few simple ways to ensure the air you're breathing has a satisfactory amount of oxygen and a low amount of toxins.
Plant Some Plants at Your Stand Up Desk
Plants are nice to look at sure. But their presence in your home office can actually clear the air of toxins and add more oxygen. In the late 80's NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America discovered the presence of houseplants in a space purify the air filtering out common VOCs (volatile organic compounds). There are many house plants that get our nod of approval including aloe English Ivy a rubber tree peace lily and snake plant.
Clear the Air
Be sure your air isn't being polluted by some obvious harmful substances. Cigarettes should be smoked outside only or preferably not at all due to the harmful effects on the smoker and secondhand effects to those around them. Wood-burning fireplaces should be avoided as they introduce soot and carbon into the air. Hair spray perfumes glues paints air fresheners and strong household cleaners should be avoided as well.
Install a HEPA Filter
A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter makes an air conditioner (which removes pollutants pollen and particulate matter) work even more efficiently making your air ultra clean. You can also use a stand-alone HEPA air cleaner but they are a bit on the noisy side. If you're bothered by noise while working be sure to keep the stand-alone cleaner away from your desk so that it doesn't irritate you during the day.
Those are just a few simple ways you can breathe easily in your own home and home office. At UpDesk we believe that you should raise your standard--not just in terms of desks but life in general. We offer a premiere standing desk to help clients cultivate a healthier more upstanding lifestyle and what's better to improve the quality of life than focusing on the air you breathe?
