Just in case you just started reading this series, each day I am focusing on one of my 7 Steps to a Great Life. Adopting one or a few of my 7 Steps is a great way to begin the New Year because they are resolutions that you can actually keep. Every one of the 7 Steps is a small change with a big return. Check my other posts for the previous four steps.

5. Create a more natural environment.

Your home should be a recharging station- a place where you can relax, return to balance, and enrich life. You should look forward to coming home each day. While we all might not be living in our dream apartments or houses, there are some small things that you can do to make your home more pleasant.

Try keeping green plants around at home, especially in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Ordinary, green house plants are best, nothing fancy. Plants absorb many harmful contaminants, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. Many building materials, such as plywood, particleboard, decorative paneling, floor covering and carpet backing contain formaldehyde, which is thought to contribute to the high cancer rate in the United States. You can also find formaldehyde in grocery bags, facial tissues, permanent press clothing, tobacco and cooking and heating gas. Wow. Happily, houseplants will absorb formaldehyde and other unwanted substances while generating the negative ions in the air we breathe.

Despite their name, negative ions are actually a positive thing- they promote a feeling of freshness and well-being. When you open the window and let sun and fresh air into a dark room, you are actually changing the positive ions to negative ones, which is why the room feels great after letting in some fresh air. This is also why it’s a good idea to let some fresh air into your home for a few minutes every day, even if the weather is less-than-ideal.

Check in again tomorrow for another resolution worth making!