What a brilliant overview from Dan Go for those of us wanting to rework or rehaul our homes! Many things effect our health beyond a poor diet and exercise habits and this is becoming a bigger and bigger issue, so enjoy the below and do what you can bit by bit (avoid getting overwhelmed) 🙂
You can read the original blog here on his website!
Air: The Invisible Fuel
Your lungs process 11,000+ liters of air a day. That air either energizes or pollutes you.
- HEPA Filters: Use in bedrooms and main living spaces. These trap allergens, dust, bacteria, and mold spores. Look for models with activated carbon to reduce VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). The one I recommend is Jaspr.
- Humidity Control: Ideal indoor humidity is 40–60%. Use a hygrometer to monitor. A humidifier in dry climates or a dehumidifier in humid zones can prevent respiratory issues and mold.
- Mold Prevention: Clean A/C units and dehumidifiers regularly. Check under sinks, behind washers, and near windows. Consider mold testing kits yearly. Here’s the one I recommend.
- Ventilation: Open windows when outdoor air quality is good. Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans frequently.
💧 Water: The Cellular Foundation
You’re 60–70% water, so the quality of that water determines your internal chemistry.
- Water Filtration System: When it comes to water, we want to remove heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine, and microplastics as well as other contaminants. Either get a Reverse Osmosis System or a Berkey. I prefer a Berkey because it keeps the right minerals in the water.
- Mineral Rebalancing: Add trace mineral drops or natural sea salt (like Redmond or Celtic salt) or electrolytes like LMNT to your drinking water to restore electrolyte balance.
- Filter Placement: If you choose an RO system, you want to keep it under the sink. If you use a Berkey, then obviously it’s kept on your countertop. Plus, you’d want a whole-house pre-filter for showers and faucets.
- Water Testing: Use kits like Tap Score or check EWG’s Tap Water Database for your area.
☀️ Light: The Circadian Lever
Light is information. It tells your brain when to produce hormones, wake up, sleep, or feel hungry.
- Morning Light: Get sunlight in your eyes within 30 minutes of waking. Aim for 10–15 minutes. Preferably outside.
- Circadian Lighting: Cool/blue-toned in the morning (5000–6500K), warm/amber in the evening (2700K or lower).
- Blue Light Blockers: Use orange-tinted glasses after sunset to protect melatonin production. I recommend Roka’s or Swannies.
- Light Hygiene: Install dimmers, use lamps instead of overheads, and block streetlight intrusion with blackout curtains.
📡 EMFs: Invisible Stressors
Electromagnetic fields aren’t always visible, but they influence your body’s stress load, sleep, and inflammation.
- WiFi Hygiene: Turn routers off at night or put them on a smart plug timer. Avoid placing them near bedrooms or under desks.
- Hardwire Devices: Ethernet beats WiFi for both health and speed. Use adapters to connect laptops directly.
- Phone Habits: Use speakerphone or headphones. Avoid storing phones in pockets or bras. Airplane mode at night is your best friend.
- Grounding: Walk barefoot on natural surfaces (grass, dirt, sand) or use grounding mats at work or in bed.
🍴Kitchen: The Health Command Center
The kitchen can be a minefield of toxicity. Here’s how to avoid it.
- Cookware: Use stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic—ditch the non-stick unless it’s ceramic-coated and PFAS-free.
- Chopping Boards: Ditch the plastic and go for titanium or wood.
- Food Storage: Glass > plastic. Especially for leftovers and anything acidic.
- Water Access: Install a filter at the tap or use a high-quality countertop system (mentioned above).
- Toxin-Free Cleaning: Use vinegar, castile soap, baking soda, or natural cleaning brands (no endocrine disruptors, thanks).
- Air Flow: Use a kitchen hood or crack a window—indoor air quality tanks during cooking without ventilation.
- Red Light At Night: This preserves night vision, minimizes melatonin suppression, and creates a calming environment, making it ideal for nighttime activities without disrupting circadian rhythms. You can get red tape or red incandescent bulbs from Amazon.
🛌 Bedroom: The Recovery Chamber
This is where your body regenerates and repairs, and also where the magic happens. Treat it like a sacred space.
- EMF-Free Zone: No phones on the nightstand. Use a battery-powered alarm clock. Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth devices.
- Blackout Everything: Even small LED lights can disturb sleep. Use blackout curtains, face masks, and black stickers to cover electronic lights.
- Air Quality: Bedroom should have a HEPA air purifier (Jaspr) and good humidity control.
- Mattress & Bedding: Opt for organic, toxin-free materials like latex, silk, wool, or cotton (Avocado Green Mattress). Conventional mattresses often off-gas VOCs.
- Sleep Enhancers: Consider white noise machines, magnesium (Natural Stacks), and glycine (Thorne) before bed, and a consistent wind-down routine with amber lighting or red light therapy.
🛁 Bathroom: Detox & Renewal Zone
- Shower Filters: Install a showerhead filter to remove chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals. Protects your skin, hair, and lungs from chemical exposure. Jolie and Delta come highly recommended.
- Clean Products: Use paraben-free, phthalate-free, and fragrance-free body care. Swap in natural toothpaste (Boka), deodorant (Salt and Stone), shampoo (Roz), and body wash (Salt and Stone).
- Mold Control: Run the exhaust fan for 10–15 minutes after showering. Wipe down wet surfaces and check grout and corners regularly.
- Lighting: Use red or amber night lights for evening use to protect melatonin. Adding a dimmer switch is highly recommended.
- Air & Scent: Avoid synthetic air fresheners. Use plant-based essential oils instead.
🧺 Laundry: Hidden Toxins No One Talks About
You wear your laundry all day. It touches your skin and is absorbed into your body.
- Detergents: Use non-toxic, fragrance-free options (Molly’s Suds, Branch Basics, or homemade with washing soda and baking soda).
- Dryer Sheets: Avoid them entirely. Use wool dryer balls (Everspring) instead—add a drop of plant-based essential oil if you want scent.
- Fabric Softeners: These coat your clothes in chemicals that can disrupt hormones. Ditch them.
- Washer Maintenance: Clean your washer monthly with vinegar and baking soda to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.
- Clothing Materials: Prioritize natural fibers (cotton, wool, bamboo) that breathe better and hold fewer toxins than synthetics.
💻 The Optimized Office: Where High Performance Happens
- Lighting: Use circadian-friendly desk lamps or bulbs (blue-rich in AM, amber in PM). Bonus points for windows letting in natural lighting.
- Air Quality: Small HEPA (Jaspr) filter near your desk = better focus and lungs.
- Ergonomics: Invest in an adjustable standing desk (Uplift), ergonomic chair (Anthros), and keyboard/mouse setup. Set your desk up like this for best ergonomics.
- EMF Hygiene: Use Ethernet where possible, keep the phone off your body, and turn on airplane mode when not in use.
- Blue Light: Screen filter or software (like f.lux) + blue blockers in the evening.
- Plants: Boost oxygen and vibes. Snake plant, pothos, and peace lily are low-maintenance air purifiers.
- Under The Desk Treadmill: Turn your dead time into walking time using a small under-the-desk treadmill (Urevo)