What is the matter with you? This was my reaction to my
son’s misbehavior at the store. His response was a short question, “ Matter?
What is it?” he shouted while standing under the shelf with salt lamps.
Matter is a physical substance that has mass, takes up space
and is made of atoms, which consist of positively charged protons, neutral
neutrons, and negatively charged electrons. My physical science lecture was
abruptly interrupted by my son’s exclamation, “Rain! It’s raining outside.” It
was a perfect time to go outside and calm down through the power of negative
ions or anions.
Negative Ions
Negative ions are oxygen atoms, which are created in
nature when air molecules break down through Earth’s radiation, sunlight and
moving air or water. It is not a surprise that many of us feel energized after taking
a morning shower, breathing fresh air, walking on a beach, or standing in front
of a waterfall. All of these relaxing and refreshing moments are due to the
power of negative ions.
The negative charge allows ions to attach positively charged
particles in the air, such as pollen, mold spores, pet dander, dust, bacteria
and viruses. Additionally, most modern electrical equipment produces positive
ions as well. When a large amount of negative ions is bound to positively
charged particles, it causes positive ions to become too heavy to stay
airborne. They drop down to the ground or furniture surfaces and floors. This
results in purer air and a healthier environment.
Fresh air and the sound of summer rain relaxed my son and
we were ready to go back to the store to pick up our first Himalayan salt lamp.
Himalayan Salt Lamp
Common Himalayan salt lamps are made from
a large block of Himalayan salt with a small bulb inside for generating light
and heat. Some Himalayan salt lamps are in the form of big crystals that fill
metal or glass decorative vases above a tiny light bulb. The design of salt
lamps can be different but good quality lamps may provide additional health benefits
and not just a pleasant glow inside of the home.
True Himalayan salt lamps are handmade from pink rock
salt, which comes from the Punjab region of Pakistan. Himalayan salt crystal is
similar to table salt (sodium chloride) but it also contains trade minerals.
These minerals are responsible for the lamp’s pinkish orange hue that brightens
a room with a warm and relaxing glow.
Heated Himalayan salt lamps do not generate enough negative
ions to clear the air like nature does. Instead, these lamps can purify indoor air
by attracting water molecules that carry pollutants such as pollen, mold
spores, pet dander, and dust. After attaching to these water molecules
containing various pollutants, this undesirable mixture of air particles stays
on a surface of salt lamp and does not disperse into the room. It is a good
idea to keep a salt lamp clean by regularly wiping it down with a wet cloth.
The number of water molecules in the air attracted to a heated
salt lamp depends on the size of the lamp and square footage of the room. The
most common Himalayan salt lamp weighs from 5 to 7 pounds. A lamp this
size will be effective in a small room approximately 10 x 10 square feet. The
larger the room is, the bigger the size of rock salt lamp is required for
effective use. It is not easy to find a rock salt lamp that weighs more than 15
pounds, which will be the appropriate size for a large room (14 x 14 square
feet). The combination of two or three small salt lamps will work as well and
fill the open space with a calming pinkish-orange glow.
This relaxing light with adjustable brightness works well
in the bedroom for a number of reasons.
Bedtime
On average, each person sleeps from 6 to 8 hours each
night and the normal working day is about 8 hours long. The environment in our
sleeping space and working area is important for our well-being because we
spend the majority of our time there. We are not always in charge of our
workspace environment, but we have control over our bedroom.
Quality of sleep is even more important than quantity of sleep,
because good quality nighttime sleep leaves us well rested and gets us ready
for a new day. Clean air and a calming atmosphere in the bedroom promote better
sleep quality. The salt lamp can be a good fit for this relaxing environment. If
you like to sleep without a nightlight, you can keep the salt lamp on during
the day hours and evening and then turn it off during the nighttime. The warm
orange glow of a salt lamp is a calming presence in the room compared to the
harsh blue light emanating from a computer or television screen.
In the modern world, blue light exposure is very common through
our heavy use of computers, smartphones, televisions and LED lighting. During
the daytime, blue light promotes alertness, boosts energy and even improves
mood. During the evening and bedtime hours, blue light disturbs the circadian
biological clock, interfering with our sleep. To minimize exposure to blue
light during the evening hours, adjust devices’ screen brightness to nighttime
mode.
Choosing “do not disturb” or airplane mode will provide piece
of mind, and a chance to relax and fall asleep faster without disruptions.
The calming orange glow of Himalayan salt lamps may promote good sleep quality. The hygroscopic effect of Himalayan salt lamps can improve air
quality, which results in a reduction in airborne infections, asthma, and other
allergic symptoms.
It is important to know that major studies have not yet verified the health benefits claimed by manufacturers of Himalayan salt lamps and tend to just focus on their decorative functions. Despite the absence of scientific proof of their health benefits to date, salt lamps have a calming warm glow which is similar to campfires. They are also a reminder of natural beauty.
In The End
It is important to know that major studies have not yet verified the health benefits claimed by manufacturers of Himalayan salt lamps and tend to just focus on their decorative functions. Despite the absence of scientific proof of their health benefits to date, salt lamps have a calming warm glow which is similar to campfires. They are also a reminder of natural beauty.
Next time it rains (which happens often in the
fall), do not allow the autumn weather to put you in a melancholy mood inside
your home; rather, try to bring a childlike positive attitude outside and take
advantage of the beneficial negative ions which are generated naturally by
Mother Nature and are scientifically proven to have many benefits to our health.
Health, Happiness, and Harmony
Kay
References
Ibrahim,
B. (2018, May 24). Everything you need to
know about buying a Himalayan salt lamp. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/24/cnn-underscored/himalayan-pink-salt-lamp-shop/index.html
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