So you think that meditation is a more effective way of going to sleep than counting sheep? Well for some, that may be true. However, for those who practice meditation with a strong conviction, the benefits of meditation are far greater than being able to sleep fast. Basically, meditation has been designed to help people free their mind from lifes constant conflicts. It promises to give people a deeper sense of relaxation and a higher control of themselves. The benefits of meditation even includes understanding ones self as it is viewed to be a process that will lead people to self-awareness.

Samyama is a deep meditation practice that takes advantage of resident inner stillness (silence). The practice of Samyama develops in us that sense of seeing stillness in action and action in stillness. In this state, our desires become expressions of our inner silence and find fulfillment in ways we could not have expected.

Meditation is merely conscious relaxation. It is a process which involves the mind to achieve a state of serenity or bliss. This may sound like someone being sedated. Actually it does. Meditation is a deeper form of concentration. If we are to give a concrete way to illustrate it, lets use water as the example. If you start pouring water from the pitcher to a glass, the first few drops would be considered concentration, however a steady flow is obtained after that which is likened to meditation. The unsteady first drops and the small splash they make are considered the distractions in concentration. A deeper state, which is the steady flow in the example, characterizes meditation. Thus, it clearly frees the mind from any clutter and distractions.

Some health experts have found out that people who have been diagnosed to be suffering from too much stress and extreme anxiety need not be treated with drugs. The benefits of meditation were once again proven in the study of these people. They found out that engaging in meditation is a good panic attack prevention.

So how do you go about meditation? It is simpler than people thought it to be. You only find a quiet spot, sit comfortably, relax your emotions and concentrate on an object to meditate on. It is important to just think of a single object and concentrate on it. Some distractions like other objects will come into focus. Drive your mind away from those. They will only break your concentration. You can still hear the sound around you, but when youre deep in thought about your object of meditation, even those will not disturb you.

Some meditations provide around thirty minutes of relaxing music to calm the mind and body. A guides voice can sometimes be heard over the beat of the music t cue you on what to think of and how to stay more deeply focused. These meditations can be practiced alone or with a group. Using CDs or cassettes commercially available will also give you the same features.

Deep meditation practices give us insight into both the fundamental nature of our being. It allows us to experience emotions and thoughts with great clarity and balance. The mind is freed from conditioned patterns of self-centeredness, negativity and confusion, and the heart is opened to deeper wisdom and compassion. We begin to recognize and know each moment as practice for growth toward wholeness and harmony. We discover a place in ourselves which is already whole and always in harmony, and we learn to live from a clearer center and reach into the inner part of us that results to completeness and happiness.

Developing a Fall Prevention Program - Three Steps to Fewer Falls

Did you know that each year one in three people over the age of sixty will experience a fall? Ouch! In this article, we will discuss a fall prevention program that involves balance exercises, leg exercises, and the elimination of tripping hazards in your home.Balance ExercisesYour balance deteriorates as you age, mostly due to the fact that you use that sense less and less as the years go by. To counteract this, you need to start exercising your balance on a regular basis. This can be done by standing on one leg or standing with one foot in front of the other like you are on a balance beam.Stand next to something you can hold on to, like a countertop or the back of a couch, and try to balance for thirty seconds. As you wobble slightly, you can touch your support if needed. You can do balance exercises every day for a couple minutes.Leg ExercisesStrong leg muscles are indispensable when it comes to preventing falls. They also make the activities of daily life a lot easier. As you age, you will lose about a half pound of muscle per year. Exercising your leg muscles can slow that process.The best way to strengthen your legs is to use them more. Go up and down the stairs a few times each day. Take a walk. Practice getting up from a recliner ten times in a row. The worst thing you can to is to not use those muscles. They will slowly wither away, until one day you won’t be able to go up the stairs or get out of your recliner without help.Reduce Tripping HazardsYou wouldn’t think so, but most falls happen in the home. A lot of these falls are preventable if you know what to look for. There are three categories of tripping hazards. The first is things that are part of your home, like frayed carpet, electric cords, and throw rugs. The second category is clutter, like clothes you wore yesterday, miscellaneous shoes, or magazines on the floor.The last group of falls is caused by inadequate lighting. You should be able to see what you are about to step on wherever you are in your home, day or night. You don’t want to have to walk across a dark room to get to the lamp. Consider adding light switches or nightlights as needed.Take a tour of your home and eliminate any potential hazards. Then start doing some leg exercises and balance exercises. These three things, when used together, can greatly reduce your chances of falling.

If you have ADD, do find yourself wanting to make more money? Do you want to be happier?

You may find that if you just cut loose when you’re ADD-driven, the next thing you know, you’ll look around and say, “Oh, my gosh, where did all this mess come from?”

When you realize that it’s all yours, you’ll probably feel horrible. ADD people really do like to have things tidy. So, if you create a system to deal with the messes you inevitably make, you’ll know where everything goes and if you decide to clean it all up, it can be done easily.

Otherwise, don’t you feel overwhelmed?

Stop wallowing in the, “Oh, gee, why can’t I get anything done?” mode. Make the decision to eliminate confusion from your life because it doesn’t serve you in any way.

When you have ADD, using systems makes life easier. Then, you can stop being so overwhelmed and have success.

But you won’t always get the steps right, the very first time around. Try writing them down on paper. You don’t need to do that with simple systems, even if you have ADD, but if you devise something more complicated, don’t try to remember all that stuff in your ADD brain because that’s just another kind of clutter.

If you’re creating your own systems, think them out and then, write the steps down. You may write them down on paper or you may enter the steps into your computer. You may want to print them out or put them all in a notebook. However you record the system is up to you. Then, when you go to use the ADD-friendly system, you can bring up the steps immediately, and just go through them as you would a checklist.

For an example of a simple system, ADD people are always leaving their personal effects around–their wallets, their purses, their keys, their cell phone–things you always carry with you when you’re heading out the door. And when you have ADD, they’re probably spread out all over the place.

Do you have a system for just keeping track of the basic stuff that you need on a daily basis, when you’re on your way out the door?

What is it that you do naturally when you come in with your keys, your wallet, and your Palm Pilot and whatever else it is that you’re carrying? Where do you put it?

You probably come into the house or office and just drop your things somewhere. So, think about that. That’s what you’re doing naturally.

Organizers have a system that they call a “launch pad,” and what they mean by that is to create a place that’s easy for you to access when you first walk in the door, like a shelf with maybe some pegs for your keys or a bucket, but a launch pad that you can access on your way out the door, too.

It doesn’t matter what it is. It’s just got to be something that works for you and is geared toward your ADD brain. Some people like a drawer. Some people like stuff hung up. The easiest way to deal with losing important stuff is to just have launch pads so that whatever you do naturally, you can train yourself to “Put it on the launch pad.”

Systems are enormously helpful to folks with ADD. They don’t have to be complicated, but if they are, record the system’s steps in written form so that you never forget. Systems make life easier when you have ADD. Create some to solve your biggest problems and you’ll be a much happier person.

In Your Child’s Bedroom

Most children spend about fifty to sixty hours a week sleeping and even more time playing or hanging out in their bedrooms. One of the most important steps you can take to remove common asthma triggers is to target your child’s bedroom aggressively. This doesn’t mean you must scrub everything twice a day; most of these changes are not difficult or time consuming. For example:Cover pillows, mattresses, and box springs in plastic or dust-filtering covers; pillows should be made of washable, synthetic material, not feathers. Use washable, synthetic blankets; avoid fuzzy cotton or wool blankets. Bedding, including pillows, should be wasbed once a week in hot water (hotter than 130 degrees) to kill dust mites. If you have pets, keep them outdoors if possible. Keep them out of your child’s room at all times and keep the bedroom door shut. Replace venetian blinds or miniblinds and fabric curtains (that attract and hold dust) with smooth, pull-down shades that are easily wiped down with warm, soapy water. It’s even better if you can replace all blinds and drapes with shades throughout your home. Replace any carpet (wall-to-wall or area rugs) in your child’s room with a bare wood floor or tile that can be damp-mopped regularly.Keep clothes in drawers and/or closets with the closet door shut.Keep any woolen clothing in heavy plastic bags.Clean or dust surfaces in your child’s room weekly. Try to use furniture that doesn’t attract and hold dust (wood, metal, or plastic as opposed to upholstered when possible). Avoid shelves that hold pictures, books, and knickknacks; move those items to another room or store them in closed cabinets. Contain clutter. Although it’s difficult to remove clutter from any child’s bedroom, it is essentia every night to put all toys and books in closed containers, drawers, or closets.This reduces your child’s exposure to dust while sleeping.Avoid stuffed animals. It’s hard for children to give up stuffed creatures completely, but try to keep them to a minimum. At least keep them off the bed. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, wash it regularly in hot water.Keep all food out of your child’s room to avoid attracting roaches. If your home has a forced-air heating system, turn it off in your child’s room, or cover the bedroom air vents with filters.Many places sell supplies that help reduce allergens in the bedroom. Most linen or bedding stores carry hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers. They can also be purchased from online or catalog stores. Some useful items include: electrostatic cloths that remove most dust, HEPA filters to remove animal dander in the air, and a dust mite reducing solution. The Pet QuestionChildren with asthma are often allergic to pets that shed hair, dander, and feathers. Some studies indicate that if pets are present in the home before the diagnosis of asthma, a child may already be sensitized to pets and less likely to be allergic to them. Once a child has been diagnosed with asthma, however, it is better to avoid furry and feathered pets. If you don’t remove a pet from your home, at least keep it out of your child’s bedroom at all times, even when your child isn’t in his room. Animal dander is very sticky, so if a furry pet lives in your home, every effort should be made to wipe down all surfaces each week. While this can be very difficult, it is important to keep your child from picking up and playing with the animal. Acceptable options for pets include fish, reptiles, frogs, or turtles. SmokeTobacco smoke is the most common irritant for children with asthma. The best way to reduce tobacco smoke pollution exposure in the home is for the smoker to stop smoking. If there is a smoker in your family who has not completely quit smoking, the next best goal is to move the smoke away from your child who has asthma. Steps to a Smoke-Free Home Children with asthma are at a higher risk from the effects of cigarette smoke. Parents can take these steps to protect their children:Smoke only in one room Blow smoke out the window Use an air purifier or smoke filter Never smoke near a child Never smoke in a car with a child Smoke only outside the home Never allow smoke in your home or car Never allow smoke around a child

Count Your Way to a Slimmer Body

Have you found yourself wanting to lose weight lately, but are just not sure how to go about getting started? There’s so much clutter out there where weight-loss is concerned and it can be difficult to know what’s going to work for you. Mixed in with lots of good information can be lots of gimmicks offering unrealistic results with little or no effort. One weight-loss programs that’s been time tested and shown to be effective is Weight Watchers. Over the years, Weight Watchers has managed to continually update their programs to make them easy to follow. The Weight Watchers franchise has been around for over 45 years and offers lots of expertise with their program. Weight Watchers offers weight-loss through a points system. Each food you eat is assigned a point value that you keep track of. While on the program, you are assigned a certain amount of daily points based on your sex, weight, job and your age. If you chose to follow the Flex plan on Weight Watchers, you also have a bank of Flex points that you can use for special occasions or events where you know you’ll be eating higher calorie foods. Each day, you start over with your daily points and each week you get a new batch of Flex points. The great thing about the Weight Watchers plan is that there is nothing you are forbidden to eat. You basically learn the principles of portioning and eating in moderation through the points system. There are weekly meetings and weigh-ins that you attend if you’re doing the traditional program. If you’re doing the online version, you track your points and your weekly weight online. Another program offered through Weight Watchers is the Core Plan. The Core Plan allows you to eat without keeping track of points. With this program, there is a group of foods that you can eat in unlimited quantities. This includes things such as vegetables, boneless and skinless chicken breast, fruit and other basics that you might think of when considering yourself on a “diet.” The Core Plan is more widely used by those that have the ability to somewhat restrict what they eat, but would rather not have limitations on the amount of food they can eat. Weight Watchers prides itself on the fact that they aren’t offering a diet, but a way of life. Many people find a lot of comfort in the fact that when using the Weight Watchers program, they don’t have to stop eating any certain thing, but just watch how much they are eating. The main reason so many diets fail is because they demand drastic lifestyle changes that most dieters are not ready for. You can still have the great foods you love, and lose weight by simply doing more planning and portion control. It might sound too good to be true, but Weight Watchers has the history and the science to prove that their plan works, and will get you results.

So you think that meditation is a more effective way of going to sleep than counting sheep? Well for some, that may be true. However, for those who practice meditation with a strong conviction, the benefits of meditation are far greater than being able to sleep fast. Basically, meditation has been designed to help people free their mind from lifes constant conflicts. It promises to give people a deeper sense of relaxation and a higher control of themselves. The benefits of meditation even includes understanding ones self as it is viewed to be a process that will lead people to self-awareness.

Samyama is a deep meditation practice that takes advantage of resident inner stillness (silence). The practice of Samyama develops in us that sense of seeing stillness in action and action in stillness. In this state, our desires become expressions of our inner silence and find fulfillment in ways we could not have expected.

Meditation is merely conscious relaxation. It is a process which involves the mind to achieve a state of serenity or bliss. This may sound like someone being sedated. Actually it does. Meditation is a deeper form of concentration. If we are to give a concrete way to illustrate it, lets use water as the example. If you start pouring water from the pitcher to a glass, the first few drops would be considered concentration, however a steady flow is obtained after that which is likened to meditation. The unsteady first drops and the small splash they make are considered the distractions in concentration. A deeper state, which is the steady flow in the example, characterizes meditation. Thus, it clearly frees the mind from any clutter and distractions.

Some health experts have found out that people who have been diagnosed to be suffering from too much stress and extreme anxiety need not be treated with drugs. The benefits of meditation were once again proven in the study of these people. They found out that engaging in meditation is a good panic attack prevention.

So how do you go about meditation? It is simpler than people thought it to be. You only find a quiet spot, sit comfortably, relax your emotions and concentrate on an object to meditate on. It is important to just think of a single object and concentrate on it. Some distractions like other objects will come into focus. Drive your mind away from those. They will only break your concentration. You can still hear the sound around you, but when youre deep in thought about your object of meditation, even those will not disturb you.

Some meditations provide around thirty minutes of relaxing music to calm the mind and body. A guides voice can sometimes be heard over the beat of the music t cue you on what to think of and how to stay more deeply focused. These meditations can be practiced alone or with a group. Using CDs or cassettes commercially available will also give you the same features.

Deep meditation practices give us insight into both the fundamental nature of our being. It allows us to experience emotions and thoughts with great clarity and balance. The mind is freed from conditioned patterns of self-centeredness, negativity and confusion, and the heart is opened to deeper wisdom and compassion. We begin to recognize and know each moment as practice for growth toward wholeness and harmony. We discover a place in ourselves which is already whole and always in harmony, and we learn to live from a clearer center and reach into the inner part of us that results to completeness and happiness.

Most children spend about fifty to sixty hours a week sleeping and even more time playing or hanging out in their bedrooms. One of the most important steps you can take to remove common asthma triggers is to target your child’s bedroom aggressively. This doesn’t mean you must scrub everything twice a day; most of these changes are not difficult or time consuming. For example: Cover pillows, mattresses, and box springs in plastic or dust-filtering covers; pillows should be made of washable, synthetic material, not feathers. Use washable, synthetic blankets; avoid fuzzy cotton or wool blankets. Bedding, including pillows, should be wasbed once a week in hot water (hotter than 130 degrees) to kill dust mites. If you have pets, keep them outdoors if possible. Keep them out of your child’s room at all times and keep the bedroom door shut. Replace venetian blinds or miniblinds and fabric curtains (that attract and hold dust) with smooth, pull-down shades that are easily wiped down with warm, soapy water. It’s even better if you can replace all blinds and drapes with shades throughout your home. Replace any carpet (wall-to-wall or area rugs) in your child’s room with a bare wood floor or tile that can be damp-mopped regularly. Keep clothes in drawers and/or closets with the closet door shut. Keep any woolen clothing in heavy plastic bags. Clean or dust surfaces in your child’s room weekly. Try to use furniture that doesn’t attract and hold dust (wood, metal, or plastic as opposed to upholstered when possible). Avoid shelves that hold pictures, books, and knickknacks; move those items to another room or store them in closed cabinets. Contain clutter. Although it’s difficult to remove clutter from any child’s bedroom, it is essentia every night to put all toys and books in closed containers, drawers, or closets.This reduces your child’s exposure to dust while sleeping. Avoid stuffed animals. It’s hard for children to give up stuffed creatures completely, but try to keep them to a minimum. At least keep them off the bed. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, wash it regularly in hot water. Keep all food out of your child’s room to avoid attracting roaches. If your home has a forced-air heating system, turn it off in your child’s room, or cover the bedroom air vents with filters. Many places sell supplies that help reduce allergens in the bedroom. Most linen or bedding stores carry hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers. They can also be purchased from online or catalog stores. Some useful items include: electrostatic cloths that remove most dust, HEPA filters to remove animal dander in the air, and a dust mite reducing solution. The Pet Question Children with asthma are often allergic to pets that shed hair, dander, and feathers. Some studies indicate that if pets are present in the home before the diagnosis of asthma, a child may already be sensitized to pets and less likely to be allergic to them. Once a child has been diagnosed with asthma, however, it is better to avoid furry and feathered pets. If you don’t remove a pet from your home, at least keep it out of your child’s bedroom at all times, even when your child isn’t in his room. Animal dander is very sticky, so if a furry pet lives in your home, every effort should be made to wipe down all surfaces each week. While this can be very difficult, it is important to keep your child from picking up and playing with the animal. Acceptable options for pets include fish, reptiles, frogs, or turtles. Smoke Tobacco smoke is the most common irritant for children with asthma. The best way to reduce tobacco smoke pollution exposure in the home is for the smoker to stop smoking. If there is a smoker in your family who has not completely quit smoking, the next best goal is to move the smoke away from your child who has asthma. Steps to a Smoke-Free Home Children with asthma are at a higher risk from the effects of cigarette smoke. Parents can take these steps to protect their children: Smoke only in one room Blow smoke out the window Use an air purifier or smoke filter Never smoke near a child Never smoke in a car with a child Smoke only outside the home Never allow smoke in your home or car Never allow smoke around a child Hgh facts, articles, and news on HGH, weight loss.

We cannot avoid the fact that we live in a high-stress culture. The economy is less than desirable (leading to financial problems for many) and at the moment the end is not in sight.Some of us will continue along without any real wear and tear showing but others are not quite so lucky. There are debates about why it is that some people seem to weather storms more easily than others. Genetics may play a role as well as the fact that some of us simply seem to have more burdens to bear.Regardless of which group you belong it is important to learn about coping mechanisms that work for you. A coping mechanism is just a tool, an activity of some sort that helps us to deal with stress. You probably use some coping mechanisms without knowing it.Do you eat when you are stressed or bored, or do you listen to a particular type of music when you are feeling lonely or depressed? Those are examples of coping mechanisms.Many people have found that guided imagery, self-hypnosis, or journaling can be helpful when stress seems overwhelming. Other people find that an activity such as exercise, yoga, or even housework can aid in decreasing stress levels.Housework can aid in a number of ways. The individual can work off some negative energy while gaining the advantage of the additional exercise. Cleaning usually results in the removal of clutter and clutter is known to cause stress.Keeping or having a clean house can result in saving money because bills may be organized in a way that provides easier access leading to on-time payments, possibly saving late charges. If the kitchen is clean one is more likely to cook at home. Items can be more easily found eliminating the need to replace things that you already have.Having a clean home brings about an appreciation for what you have and your home is more likely to be thought of as a beautiful haven. While cleaning you are able to escape from all other thoughts and focus on what needs to be cleaned and how to go about that. This can be compared with the effects felt through meditation. Many people listen to music while doing housework which simply adds another element of distraction from the current stresses.If you do not happen to find housework a useful stress reliever there are other alternatives. Breathing exercises can be very helpful. All one needs to do is focus on controlling breathing efforts. Practice effective breathing by make your breathing pattern slow and even. I find it helpful if I close my eyes and envision dirty air being exhaled and being replaced with sparkling clean air. Pets have also been found to decrease stress levels. Some studies have shown that enjoying time with a pet can even result in lowered blood pressures.On a daily basis one should strive to get sufficient rest. Although sleep is important, the rest referred to in the case is not limited to sleeping, by rest I mean doing enjoyable activities that are not strenuous. Proper nutrition and regular exercise are of primary concern in relation to stress. Avoidance of caffeine, cigarettes, and alcohol can help to alleviate some stress. Although there is not any one right way to deal with stress it is important that each individual discover effective coping mechanisms. It is just as important that the individual knows himself very well. Get in tune with your body. Learn to recognize signals that things are out of whack and respond to those signals before problems escalate.

We cannot avoid the fact that we live in a high-stress culture. The economy is less than desirable (leading to financial problems for many) and at the moment the end is not in sight.Some of us will continue along without any real wear and tear showing but others are not quite so lucky. There are debates about why it is that some people seem to weather storms more easily than others. Genetics may play a role as well as the fact that some of us simply seem to have more burdens to bear.Regardless of which group you belong it is important to learn about coping mechanisms that work for you. A coping mechanism is just a tool, an activity of some sort that helps us to deal with stress. You probably use some coping mechanisms without knowing it.Do you eat when you are stressed or bored, or do you listen to a particular type of music when you are feeling lonely or depressed? Those are examples of coping mechanisms.Many people have found that guided imagery, self-hypnosis, or journaling can be helpful when stress seems overwhelming. Other people find that an activity such as exercise, yoga, or even housework can aid in decreasing stress levels.Housework can aid in a number of ways. The individual can work off some negative energy while gaining the advantage of the additional exercise. Cleaning usually results in the removal of clutter and clutter is known to cause stress.Keeping or having a clean house can result in saving money because bills may be organized in a way that provides easier access leading to on-time payments, possibly saving late charges. If the kitchen is clean one is more likely to cook at home. Items can be more easily found eliminating the need to replace things that you already have.Having a clean home brings about an appreciation for what you have and your home is more likely to be thought of as a beautiful haven. While cleaning you are able to escape from all other thoughts and focus on what needs to be cleaned and how to go about that. This can be compared with the effects felt through meditation. Many people listen to music while doing housework which simply adds another element of distraction from the current stresses.If you do not happen to find housework a useful stress reliever there are other alternatives. Breathing exercises can be very helpful. All one needs to do is focus on controlling breathing efforts. Practice effective breathing by make your breathing pattern slow and even. I find it helpful if I close my eyes and envision dirty air being exhaled and being replaced with sparkling clean air. Pets have also been found to decrease stress levels. Some studies have shown that enjoying time with a pet can even result in lowered blood pressures.On a daily basis one should strive to get sufficient rest. Although sleep is important, the rest referred to in the case is not limited to sleeping, by rest I mean doing enjoyable activities that are not strenuous. Proper nutrition and regular exercise are of primary concern in relation to stress. Avoidance of caffeine, cigarettes, and alcohol can help to alleviate some stress. Although there is not any one right way to deal with stress it is important that each individual discover effective coping mechanisms. It is just as important that the individual knows himself very well. Get in tune with your body. Learn to recognize signals that things are out of whack and respond to those signals before problems escalate.

In Your Child’s Bedroom
by Alien

Most children spend about fifty to sixty hours a week sleeping and even more time playing or hanging out in their bedrooms. One of the most important steps you can take to remove common asthma triggers is to target your child’s bedroom aggressively. This doesn’t mean you must scrub everything twice a day; most of these changes are not difficult or time consuming. For example:

Cover pillows, mattresses, and box springs in plastic or dust-filtering covers; pillows should be made of washable, synthetic material, not feathers.

Use washable, synthetic blankets; avoid fuzzy cotton or wool blankets.

Bedding, including pillows, should be wasbed once a week in hot water (hotter than 130 degrees) to kill dust mites.

If you have pets, keep them outdoors if possible. Keep them out of your child’s room at all times and keep the bedroom door shut.

Replace venetian blinds or miniblinds and fabric curtains (that attract and hold dust) with smooth, pull-down shades that are easily wiped down with warm, soapy water. It’s even better if you can replace all blinds and drapes with shades throughout your home.

Replace any carpet (wall-to-wall or area rugs) in your child’s room with a bare wood floor or tile that can be damp-mopped regularly.

Keep clothes in drawers and/or closets with the closet door shut.

Keep any woolen clothing in heavy plastic bags.

Clean or dust surfaces in your child’s room weekly. Try to use furniture that doesn’t attract and hold dust (wood, metal, or plastic as opposed to upholstered when possible). Avoid shelves that hold pictures, books, and knickknacks; move those items to another room or store them in closed cabinets.

Contain clutter. Although it’s difficult to remove clutter from any child’s bedroom, it is essentia every night to put all toys and books in closed containers, drawers, or closets.This reduces your child’s exposure to dust while sleeping.

Avoid stuffed animals. It’s hard for children to give up stuffed creatures completely, but try to keep them to a minimum. At least keep them off the bed. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, wash it regularly in hot water.

Keep all food out of your child’s room to avoid attracting roaches.

If your home has a forced-air heating system, turn it off in your child’s room, or cover the bedroom air vents with filters.

Many places sell supplies that help reduce allergens in the bedroom. Most linen or bedding stores carry hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers. They can also be purchased from online or catalog stores. Some useful items include: electrostatic cloths that remove most dust, HEPA filters to remove animal dander in the air, and a dust mite reducing solution.

The Pet Question

Children with asthma are often allergic to pets that shed hair, dander, and feathers. Some studies indicate that if pets are present in the home before the diagnosis of asthma, a child may already be sensitized to pets and less likely to be allergic to them. Once a child has been diagnosed with asthma, however, it is better to avoid furry and feathered pets. If you don’t remove a pet from your home, at least keep it out of your child’s bedroom at all times, even when your child isn’t in his room. Animal dander is very sticky, so if a furry pet lives in your home, every effort should be made to wipe down all surfaces each week.

While this can be very difficult, it is important to keep your child from picking up and playing with the animal. Acceptable options for pets include fish, reptiles, frogs, or turtles.

Smoke

Tobacco smoke is the most common irritant for children with asthma. The best way to reduce tobacco smoke pollution exposure in the home is for the smoker to stop smoking. If there is a smoker in your family who has not completely quit smoking, the next best goal is to move the smoke away from your child who has asthma.

Steps to a Smoke-Free Home

Children with asthma are at a higher risk from the effects of cigarette smoke. Parents can take these steps to protect their children:

Smoke only in one room

Blow smoke out the window

Use an air purifier or smoke filter

Never smoke near a child

Never smoke in a car with a child

Smoke only outside the home

Never allow smoke in your home or car

Never allow smoke around a child