• Avoid plug-in or battery-operated air fresheners and scented candles, since both can questionably cause cancerous DNA mutations and asthma.

• Avoid aerosols (e.g. room deodorizers, perfumes, hair sprays), some of which are carcinogenic, and contain small particles that when inhaled can irritate the lining of the lungs.

• Use unscented or very lightly scented laundry detergents—or try using no laundry detergent, since most of the cleaning of clothes is accomplished by the immersion and agitation in water, which is the healthier option both for us and the environment, and avoid detergents with the chemical “1,4-Dioxane,” which can cause vertigo, drowsiness, headaches, and irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs,

• Don’t buy or use flushable wipes! Despite their claims, they do not actually break down and actually clog the septic systems. They eventually end up in our oceans, harming the wildlife and our water quality.

• Keep your cleaning products in a covered container. Small particles, especially from cleansers, can get embedded in our lungs.

• Use air purifiers to help clean the air, and rinse filters weekly.

• Keep a window at least 1" open in most rooms, year-round, for better air ventilation.

• Vacuum regularly to suck up dust from furnaces, pet dander, and even irritants brought in from air conditioners. Shake out your smaller rugs outside.

• Get plenty of water. The general rule of thumb is to drink half of your weight in ounces daily. For example, a 100-pound person should aim for 50 ounces of pure, fresh water every day—more if working out, or on humid days. The membranes or air sacs in our lungs, called villi, rely on hydration to sustain and help our body perform continuous self-cleaning. And all organs rely heavily on fresh clean water to help them function at their best. (And, no, sadly, there is NOT enough water in the foods we eat to provide this, including coffee, milk, beer, etc.)

• Avoid plug-in air fresheners and car air fresheners. These are not as beneficial as they may seem. One of the primary concerns of health experts about plug-in air fresheners is their wide-spread use of phthalates. The NRDC also warns that airborne phthalates can cause allergic symptoms and asthma. Even trace amounts of phthalates can accumulate to cause these harmful side-effects.

• Help Fluffy or Fido avoid in-home dangers: avoid salt lamps if you have pets (as many veterinarians will tell you) since pets may be tempted to lick the salt lamp, which can cause sodium poisoning and result in extreme sickness or death.

• Maintain your A/C unit. While we love the convenience of air conditioning on the hottest days, it’s not without risks. Filters can be breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi or black mold. It’s called “air conditioner sickness,” and can be mistaken for the common cold, allergy or asthma symptoms, with symptoms like breathing problems, headaches, dizziness, dry skin and sinuses, heat intolerance, even increased blood pressure. By cleaning our AC units regularly, changing the filter at least every couple of months, keeping the temperature at a comfortable but not freezing level, and taking frequent breaks to step outside for fresh air can help keep our lungs healthy while being comfortable.

Remember to avoiding exercising near heavy traffic to decrease the amount of exhaust inhaled.  Steer clear of chemically treated lawns, which are known carcinogens (cancer-causing) and endocrine disruptors, which can harm our metabolic systems and create auto-immune disorders!

• Try speed walking with a friend through your neighborhood, making a point to include areas with steeper hills to get a good workout. Walk as fast as you can while still being able to maintain a conversation.

• Bicycling is great for really moving that lymphatic fluid throughout the body, strengthening our natural immune system naturally.

• Grab a friend and play really bad tennis together. Or utilize the single-player wall on the outside of many tennis courts (or your garage door) and swing that racket to elevate your respiration.

• Buddy up with a motivated neighbor for aerobics, tai chi, boot camp, or any kind or cardio workout in your homes or garages.

• Try to avoid chemically treated lawns while exercising outside whenever possible.