An ion is an atom or molecule with an electrical charge. They are super small. Some ions are positively charged. Others are negatively charged. They are all around us and come from both natural and man-made sources. NEGATIVE IONS ARE GOOD FOR US We feel alive when near waterfalls or a natural spring. When it rains or during thunderstorms. Walking on the beach or in the woods. This is because there are plenty of negative ions in the air. Negative ions counteract positive ions. This leaves us feeling invigorated, healthier and energized. POSITIVE IONS ARE BAD FOR US The following things all give off positive ions:
Positive ions can turn into free radicals in the body. Free radicals can damage healthy cells and decrease the pH of the blood. Free radicals in the body are linked to aging, tissue damage and some diseases. Most particles found in the air inside buildings have a positive charge. In nature, negative ions are generated by sunlight, lightning, waves, and waterfalls. That's why people feel so invigorated in these settings. But indoors, negative ions are lacking. So, negative ion generators were developed to improve air quality inside businesses and homes. The science behind it is that negative ions will be attracted to positive ions in the air. When there is lot of negative ions in the air, they will attach to positively charged particles. This causes the particle to become too heavy to remain airborne. As a result, the particle will fall out of the air. This prevents it from being inhaled into the respiratory tract. Inhaled positively charged particles can trigger breathing and health problems. The claimed health benefits of negative ion generators are:
The cheapest ways to incorporate more negative ions into the home are: SALT CRYSTAL LAMPS Salt crystal lamps are natural ionizers. The salt crystal binds the negative ions with the excess positive ions. When the lamp becomes warm, it absorbs moisture and the crystal will be damp on the surface. This builds up the ion field. Through the lamp, the positively charged atmosphere of the room can be neutralized. Also, the colors of the salt crystal stones can have a healing effect. The prices range depending on the size of the crystal starting at $25.00. That's the price I paid for the one pictured above. INDOOR WATERFALLS: Indoor waterfalls and desktop fountains provide a constant source of running water. Running water reduces stress factors in the environment by producing negatively charged ions. Also, they create white noise which can help neutralize irritating sounds. You can buy these online between $50-$100. NEGATIVE ION GENERATORS: The third way, is to buy a negative ion generator, an air ionizer or an air purifier (all the same thing). They are not so pretty and cost between $150-$400. So, that's why I opted for the salt lamp and the waterfall. By the way, any one of these make great gifts for the people that you love. (Including yourself.) If you want to learn other methods to reduce stress in the home, click the button below to go to my article. |
Karen WarwickI am not a doctor but I am a RHN. Here is what I would do, if I were you. Archives
May 2022
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