Making you - and your home - healthier

Many of us start each New Year in need of a boost. Its easy to get through too much food and drink over the Christmas holiday and on 1 January, while we're still dealing with bottle fatigue, our thoughts turn to health and fitness. We all know that gym memberships and online diet subscriptions peak at the beginning of the year, so why are we talking about it now - it's only September! But, as Rightmove points out on its website, why not think about future-proofing your home now so that you can tackle your wellbeing goals head-on in 2020.
So here are some of their tips to help you create a healthier home.

More natural light
The right amount of light during the day and darkness at night are vital for our wellbeing. Light can impact on melatonin and hormone levels in our bodies, so Rightmove recommends re-arranging your home to maximise efficient use of natural light. Open-plan living lends itself to this, so think about whether you could open up your home to let the light in. This doesn't have to mean knocking down walls. Moving large pieces of furniture, carefully placed mirrors and lighter window treatments can all have a major impact. Over-exposure to certain types of artificial light are also linked to headaches and poor sleep patterns, so making room for a screen-free relaxation space in your home may also pay dividends.

Improve your air quality
Dust, paint, and other particles can lurk in your home and float through the air, with the potential to cause breathing problems. Installing a whole-house air purifier can clean your air of pollutants such as bacteria, mould, pollen, pet dander, and other allergy triggers. And a portable house humidifier adds moisture to the air. This can improve dry skin complaints, keeps your hair healthy and is even good for your pets and houseplants! Moist air could also help your wooden floors and furniture last longer.

How do I connect my home with the outdoors?
We are all waking up to the importance of eco-friendly living and many of us are trying to introduce greener products and ways of life into our homes. When it comes to creating a healthy environment, houseplants are king. They turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is hugely beneficial not only for the planet but in our homes too. Potting a leafy Ficus or Dracaena is a good start.

Should I invest in a home gym?
We all know how expensive gym memberships can be especially outside major cities. So unless you're addicted to classes and the social aspect of health clubs, having a home gym can be great for convenience. It is quite possible to build a fully functioning home gym for less than £1,000 and there are plenty of bargains on websites such as eBay, or even on local online marketplaces. Spare rooms and garages are ideal spaces but before you rush out and buy equipment you'll never use, first focus on what motivates you and what you enjoy. Tailor your environment to your personality, says Rightmove, so that as soon as you walk into the gym you'll want to work hard.

The cheapest - and quickest - way to build a home gym is to focus on free weights. Dumbbells, pull-up bars, skipping ropes, medicine balls and barbells are ideal for effective workouts, especially if space is at a premium. And even if the initial outlay is more than a gym membership, if investing in a home gym gets you working out on a regular basis, it's got to be worthwhile. Start now and who knows, you might even get through this year's festive period without over-indulging?