With the changing of seasons, come increased allergies, colds, the flu virus, and the dreaded “winter blues.”

You may do your part to prevent these conditions with proper handwashing, diet, rest, and exercise for example, but there happens to be another relaxing and fun way to increase your well-being and prevent illness, Himalayan salt lamps.

Himalayan salt lamps are a great addition to your home or office because they are an energy-efficient light source that also happens to provide health benefits.

So, what is a Himalayan salt lamp?

Well, as the name implies, it’s a type of “lamp” just like we commonly have in our homes, but these lamps are made from pure Himalayan salt crystals with a hole in the bottom to allow for a light bulb.

They use a 15-watt light bulb to give off a beautiful, warm glow of light. They come in a variety of sizes and even as night lights. They are inexpensive as well and can last forever.

So, how do they work and what makes them so great?

The benefit of Himalayan salt lamps lies in their ability to generate negative ions. The way this works is rather simple; salt is hygroscopic, which means it attracts and absorbs moisture/water from the air.

This moisture is attracted to the surface of the lamp and the light and heat from the lamp quickly cause the water to evaporate. Through this process of evaporation, the negative ions are produced. Despite the way it sounds, negative ions are a “positive” thing in our daily lives.

Negative ions cleanse the air to neutralize and restore air quality. In fact, it is actually the positive ions that pollute our air, make us sick, and negatively affect our moods. Positive ions can come from electronics such as our phones, computers, microwaves, televisions, etc…

As well as, mold spores, bacteria, dust, and pet dander. Exposure to too many positive ions in the air can cause us to become moody, sick, stressed, depressed, and cause our allergies to go wild. Not to mention, they can drain our energy and literally suck the life out of us.

Therefore, increasing the negative ions in the air with salt lamps can help neutralize and rid the air of harmful positive ions.

Benefits of using Himalayan salt lamps to increase negative ions in the air include:

  1. Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  2. Remove Dust and Bacteria from the Air
  3. Reduce and Improve Allergies
  4. Improve Energy and Focus
  5. Improve Sleep
  6. Reduce Headaches
  7. Relax You and Elevate Your Mood

Pierce J. Howard, Ph.D., author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, North Carolina states,

“Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy.”

He goes on to state that, “They (negative ions) also may protect against germs in the air, resulting in decreased irritation due to inhaling various particles that make you sneeze, cough, or have a throat irritation.



And for a whopping one in three of us who are sensitive to their effects, negative ions can make us feel like we are walking on air. You are one of them if you feel instantly refreshed the moment you open a window and breathe in fresh, humid air” (2002).

Where can I buy a Himalayan salt lamp and how do I use it?

Many online and even local retailers sell salt lamps: Amazon.com, Ebay.com, Himalayansaltshop.com, and Bedbathandbeyond.com, just to name a few. You can use salt lamps in any room of your home or office, just plug in and go!

Living and family rooms are great places if you spend a lot of time there, but it is also beneficial to put it in the bedroom of the person who suffers the most from allergies.

The size of the room and a number of electronics present can affect the overall effect and a number of negative ions released.

Therefore, larger rooms or homes with a lot of electronics may need larger lamps or more lamps throughout the home. Start with one lamp and you can always judge your needs from there.

The retailer you choose to buy from can also offer guidance on which lamp will best fit your needs. Whatever you choose, Himalayan salts lamps are a great way to enhance your well-being and your home. Be well!

References:

  1. http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
  3. https://www.webmd.com/

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