Are Allergies and Autumn Anxiety Linked?

For some, Autumn is a favorite season. Cooler temperatures, fall foliage, football, and pumpkins bring excitement to the change of seasons. There are some people, however, that suffer from bouts of anxiety with the changing of the seasons. Why is this? As I was browsing the internet I found a great article by Elizabeth Enochs that gives some great insights into some of the reasons that friends and family can struggle during fall. A few of the reasons are stated in her article at Bustle.com:

Shorter Days

Decreased exposure to sunlight is one of the biggest reasons so many people suffer from both anxiety and depression in the fall and winter. As the days get shorter, the majority of us spend less time out and about in direct sunlight, and that can translate into a vitamin D deficiency. Since literally every tissue in our bodies has vitamin D receptors, and numerous studies have linked vitamin D deficiencies to anxiety and depression, it’s really not surprising that even anticipating fewer daylight hours can result in increased anxiety for so many people. Fortunately, taking vitamin D supplements can be an effective way to combat this.

Going Back To School

The start of a new school year can trigger autumn anxiety for many people, and it makes perfect sense. Even if you (like myself) always enjoyed going back to school in the fall, the fact is, school is stressful sometimes. On top of that, it’s not exactly easy to switch gears from the chill vibes of summer to the hustle of a fall semester. So when you add the responsibility of maintaining a new course load (whether they’re your courses or your kid’s) on top of the changing weather and shorter days that accompany fall, that’s just a whole lot of newness to deal with at once.

Reasonably, change of that magnitude is hard for a lot of people to deal with — especially people who are already prone to anxiety. As Therese Borchard put it for Everyday Health, “Autumn is full of new things: new schedules, new jobs, new schools, new assignments. It’s no wonder why some of us experience heart palpitations trying to process it all.”

Seasonal Allergies

A 2009 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that the process a person goes through when they’re fighting off an infection looks the same as when that person is depressed or manic. Other studies have found that changes in allergy symptoms during low and high pollen seasons correlate with higher anxiety and depression scores. This most likely happens because allergies attack the immune system, and the body responds by pumping cytokines (proteins that signal inflammation to our cells) through the blood stream. Understandably, if your body starts freaking out as soon as fall rolls around, your mind is probably going to follow suit. So if you suffer from both fall allergies and autumn anxiety, know that treating your allergies should help you treat your anxiety as well….read the full article

Surprisingly enough those fall allergies are linked to Autumn Anxiety symptoms. We have discussed fall allergies quite a bit, check out this article for some allergy relief tips.

Along with an air purifier to help contain those environmental allergens in the home, MAB Air Solutions LLC has also found a list of natural foods that you can help to help cope with the anxiety.

Therese Borchard provides these fall foods to boost your mood:

1. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are one of Mother Nature’s most potent mood boosters. They’re chock-full of zinc (containing 23 percent of the daily recommended value in just one ounce), which Emily Deans, MD, a psychiatrist in Massachusetts, calls an “essential mineral for resiliency” in her Psychology Today blog “Zinc: An Antidepressant.” The mineral also increases our ability to fight off inflammation, which can cause depression and anxiety.

In addition, it’s rich in magnesium, a calming nutrient: According to a mouse study published in January 2012 in the journal Neuropharmacology, magnesium deficiencies induce anxiety, which is why the mineral is known as the original chill pill.

Authors of an earlier review of studies on magnesium and other alternative treatments, published in Nutrition in 2010, concluded that, “Although the exact mechanism has yet to be determined, it appears that magnesium supplementation is effective at treating anxiety and anxiety-related disorders when used in combination with other vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts.”

2. Squash

Squash was already one of my favorite fall foods before I knew it was packed full of mood-boosting ingredients. Just 1 cup of butternut squash contains 15 percent of the daily recommended value of magnesium, 17 percent of potassium, and 18 percent of manganese — all critical minerals to help keep you sane. One cup also contains a whopping 52 percent of vitamin C, which gives a helping hand to the immune system and to the entire central nervous system.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon was used as early as 2000 B.C. in ancient Egypt to treat a host of different health conditions. A study conducted at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia, published in April 2005 in the North American Journal of Psychology, showed that even smelling cinnamon enhanced cognitive performance.

The spice is especially good for anxiety and depression because it can also help regulate blood sugar. And 1 teaspoon provides 22 percent of the daily recommended value of manganese, a critical trace mineral that helps with nerve and connective tissue function, aiding the central nervous system in general. In addition, it plays a role in neutralizing free radicals that can damage cell membranes and DNA.

4. Turkey

If you’re fretting about all the family drama that happens at Thanksgiving, rest assured that the turkey will be helping you stay sane. It’s a good source of the amino acid tryptophan, which helps your body produce the feel-good chemical serotonin…..Read all 10 foods at Everyday Health

Great stuff! The pumpkin seeds tip is especially timely as Halloween is only a few weeks away. Make sure to save those seeds when carving your pumpkins any time you need a mood boost!

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Herkimer in the News 10/7

Local News in Herkimer 10/7/2016!

For those of you that checked out our last blog post in regards to the proposed sign ordinance but couldn’t attend the public meeting we have some new information posted. Here is what happened as reported from Samantha Madison:

A public hearing that was supposed to take place before the regularly scheduled meeting of the board was removed from the agenda, as well.

There are a lot of confusions about the law as a whole, said village attorney Nicholas Macri.

“If we’re going to have one in place to enforce, we should make it so the public can read it and understand it without confusion,” he said. “When we read it and are confused, how can the public read it and not be?”

The law was called into question when the Observer-Dispatch wrote a story about village officials not enforcing its non-commercial temporary sign ordinance, which says that signs can be no bigger than 5 or 6 square feet, depending on which version is being used.

District Attorney candidate Michael Daley has signs in the village that technically do not adhere to the current law, but officials have decided not to enforce that law until it makes a decision on how to proceed……read the full article

Help for Farmers

We tweeted earlier in the week that there would be help for farmers in Herkimer and Lewis Counties this year due to drought conditions. We had an extremely dry summer and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared some of the counties in Upstate NY natural disaster areas. Here is the information from the Associated Press:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says Jefferson, Lewis, Herkimer, and St. Lawrence counties in northern New York were added due to crop losses. The disaster declaration allows farmers to apply for emergency loans and other assistance.

By August, the federal government had declared 15 New York counties as primary natural disaster areas and an additional nine counties as contiguous disaster counties.

The governor says 51 of the state’s 62 counties have been severely impacted by the dry conditions that have persisted since the summer…..learn more

Fall Foliage

Finally, for those looking for something to do this weekend to embrace the fall spirit on Columbus Day weekend….There have been reports of massive leave color changes with these cool nights as of late.

Here is the updated fall foliage map with some information on local areas courtesy of CNY Weather.com:

In Central New York, look for 45-55 percent change in Chenango County, according to spotters in Norwich. Foliage should be at midpoint with muted touches of yellow, red and orange. In Herkimer County, spotters in Mohawk expect midpoint conditions and 50 percent color change with average to bright leaves of red, orange and gold. In Madison County, leaf peepers are expecting 50 percent or more color change and near peak conditions with bright orange, yellow and red leaves predominating, particularly along scenic Rt. 20 in Cazenovia check out the map!

Have a great Columbus Day weekend to all!

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Herkimer in the news 9/30

There has been a lot going on this week where we are located in Herkimer, NY and we thought it would be a great opportunity to feature some of this news on the blog. The most noteworthy news is related to the Herkimer ARC going under their rebranding.

According to the press release, the rebranding focuses on:

• Increases awareness of the agency’s mission, programs, and services.
  Presents Arc Herkimer with a positive, unique and consistent public identity to strengthen relationships
  and develop new partnerships.
• Galvanizes relationships with affiliates such as The Arc of the United States, NYSARC, Inc., and other
  national and state organizations as Arc Herkimer seeks financial support and political influence. There is strength in numbers which is needed now more than ever to advocate for the individuals and families supported.
• Opens avenues for new product and innovative program development, as well as the promotion of those initiatives, under the banner of the new brand.
• Provides opportunities to engage in contemporary promotional strategies including social media, web design, various forms of advertising, and publicity……read the full press release

In other news, there has been a lot of talk recently in regards to the Herkimer sign ordinance. There will be a public hearing allowing anyone and everyone to voice their opinions on the ordinance on Monday, October 3rd at 7pm in the courtroom of the Village Hall on the 2nd floor. A bit of background on the sign ordinance from the Utica OD:

The current fuss began after Carpenter, who is running for re-election against former Herkimer County DA Michael Daley, claimed Daley’s signs were too big. Daley said he thought the ordinance had changed — and maybe it did.

In the wake of confusion, Mayor Brindisi did the right thing. He sought a recommendation from the New York Conference of Mayors and was advised to revisit the law and have a hearing.

That happens Monday.

The board should listen to the people, specifically define signage requirements, enact an ordinance and enforce it.

The ordinance also should include specific time limitations as to when political signs need to be taken down. There’s nothing worse than political signs littering the landscape as we approach the holidays……continue to read the full article

Here are some driving directions and a map for those interested:

Best of luck to all the local sports teams competing this weekend!

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Public Health Clinics in Herkimer Co.

For those of you interested in attending, Herkimer County Public Health will be holding flu clinics on Thursday September 29th.  There will be two locations, one in Herkimer and an additional clinic in Ilion.  The clinics will be for adults only, and you are required to bring your current insurance card with you. See WKTV for more information.

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Three Tips to Control Eliminate VOCs in Your Home

MAB Air Solutions LLC is a clean air company, focused on helping individuals improve their quality of life through improving the conditions of their environment. We achieve this through our HYLA products that offer air purification and filtration services along with our complimentary air cleaning.

We have compiled three tips that you can utilize to improve the air quality of your home or business.

What are VOCs?

VOCs are volatile organic compounds. Denise Mann writes:

Some cleaning products, including those with chlorine and ammonia, contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some paints, shellacs, and floor polishes may also contain VOCs. The compounds then go into the air as gases.

You can cut down on VOCs by choosing products that say “low VOC” or “no VOC” or buying fragrance-free cleaners. Harold S. Nelson, MD, professor of medicine at National Jewish Health in Denver, advises considering liquids or pastes instead of sprays for cleaning because they disperse fewer particles into the air.

VOCs aren’t the only particles affecting air quality. Mold spores that start off in a damp basement can float up into the rest of the house. “Areas of leakage and dampness should be addressed throughout the house,” Nelson says……read the full article

Aside from the VOCs found in cleaners and fragrances, there is another tip with regards to paint. Good House Keeping suggests:

“Paints release trace amounts of gases for months after application — even though they appear to be fully dried and the smell is gone. These gases are called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, and can include highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

Use “low-VOC” paints, varnishes, waxes and other chemicals, and open windows and use exhaust fans to remove gases when you paint. Do not store open paint containers indoors. ” See more tips from Good House Keeping

Finally, Sarah Mahoney offers another tip to help with VOCs in the home. Many of us simply vacuum quickly to get the job done and move on. Our complimentary carpet cleaning service will show you exactly the best way to vacuum and clean your carpet/floors. Why? Sarah writes:

“Dust is a leading source of air pollution because it absorbs toxic gases, including VOCs and radon, says Mark Sneller, PhD, a microbiologist and author of Greener, Cleaner Indoor Air: A Family Guide to Healthier Living. “Vacuuming slowly and methodically captures the most dust,” he says. “The faster you go, the more dust you’ll raise, which defeats the purpose.” Vacuum at least twice a week, he recommends, and step outside to empty the vacuum cleaner bag. That’s because bacteria can multiply 100-fold inside a vacuum, says Charles Gerba, PhD, a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona. “When you empty the bag, it may release a big cloud of E. coli and salmonella into the air,” Gerba says.” read additional tips at Prevention.com

We now have three more tips that you can easily put into place to help with your indoor air quality in regards to VOCs.  Hopefully the information provided from these sources combined with the tips in our indoor air quality article will give you a great start to improving the environment in your living and work space.

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Benefits to Using an Air Purifier In the Home

We know now that fall allergies are underway and many people struggle to cope with the symptoms. Many times we are left with the solution to take over-the-counter medications that can leave us feeling drowsy throughout the day. MAB Air Solutions is a clean air company, with a focus on improving your health through improving your living environment.

Installing an air purifier in the home can seem like a simple task, and it is, but many people are simply uneducated about the benefits of air purifiers. Because of this, we have compiled a few resources to help explain some of the benefits that can change the way you live.

In this article by Janet Miller that discusses the surprising benefits of air purifiers she writes:

Household surfaces contain many dangerous bacteria, which can be transferred to any part of our body that comes in contact with the surface.
• Airborne flu virus particles move from person to person through sneezing and coughing and failure to wash hands afterward.
• Bacteria thrives in warm, humid areas of the home and can cause serious illness to young and old family members alike.
Using carbon filtration to eliminate odors and return clean, fresh air you will breathe easier knowing your home has reduced pollution. Your family’s risk of these germs and subsequent illness will be substantially lower and much healthier.

To achieve this on a daily basis, an ionic air purifier which includes a UV-C sanitizer with electrostatic purification to remove all allergens, unpleasant odors, dust and airborne irritants is an ideal option. It removes allergy causing pollution with an ozone power of (03) < 0.05ppm eliminating allergy causing infection. The O-Ion B 1000 takes care of this. This unit also has UVGI technology to kill those nasty germs, viruses and bacteria that cause sickness…..read the full article

With the changing of seasons, comes back to school, allergies and……illness. Your children bring back excellent stories of their days at school and with them, new sets of germs. A complimentary air scrubbing service can help show you how to rid your home of those germs and keep your family healthy.

Once the weather cools and we no longer utilize an AC system or open windows to keep the house comfortable, air particles can become trapped inside to make us sick.

This article by Max Mechanical explains some additional benefits of an air purifier system:

Avoiding Colds and Flu
When the temperature dips, windows need to be closed, trapping in air particles. Living with others means that you have no control over their coughing and sneezing, which expels bacteria. Breathing in such germs speeds up the likelihood of coming down with a cold or flu, thereby offering a pertinent reason for having a purifier installed for all residents.

Keeping Lungs Clear
Older people may suffer from breathing conditions like COPD or emphysema, while younger individuals sometimes fight a daily battle with conditions like asthma or cystic fibrosis. Both need the particle-free air that a purifier can deliver, since if you don’t have an HVAC unit that covers the entire home, that can mean having to close windows in warm weather.

Protecting the Immune System
Individuals who are undergoing serious treatments such as chemotherapy or who otherwise have an immune system that needs to be protected can benefit greatly from having a purifier installed. Infections tend to breed because of the particles that can circulate within air that don’t affect the average person.

Improving Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Air pollution has been shown to raise blood pressure, which within a home can be related to the presence of such things as a smoker, dogs, or cats. Having a purifier neutralizes the negatives connected with those issues, offering a more relaxing aspect—which translates to a greater sense of serenity. In addition, it can limit the chances of coughing spells that raise a person’s blood pressure…. learn more

Fall is the perfect time to inquire about an air purfication system for the home prior to the weather changing. Feel free to contact us to learn what MAB Air Solutions can do for your home or business!

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Is Indoor Air Quality Hurting Your Business?

Is your indoor air quality hurting business productivity?

There might be more to indoor air pollution than just experiencing uncomfortable, flu like symptoms. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety writes that common symptoms of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) are as follows:

It is common for people to report one or more of the following symptoms:

Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Hypersensitivity and allergies
Sinus congestion
Coughing and sneezing
Dizziness
Nausea
People generally notice their symptoms after several hours at work and feel better after they have left the building or when they have been away from the building for a weekend or a vacation.

Many of these symptoms may also be caused by other health conditions including common colds or the flu, and are not necessarily due to poor IAQ. This fact can make identifying and resolving IAQ problems more difficult…...read more here

Aside from the obvious health concerns, Lydia O’Connor noted that a recent study performed by Harvard University showed how reducing indoor air pollutants can impact decision making in the workplace. Lydia writes:

Running into mental blocks at your desk job? A new Harvard study says you may be able to blame it on the air quality in your office.

In a paper published Monday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, a team of researchers found that people working in well-ventilated “green” buildings with below-average indoor air pollution and carbon dioxide, or CO2, showed better cognitive functioning than workers in “non-green” offices with typical pollutant and CO2 levels.

“These results suggest that even modest improvements to indoor environmental quality may have a profound impact on the decision-making performance of workers,” lead study author Joseph Allen, the director of the Healthy Buildings Program at the Harvard Center for Health and the Global Environment, wrote.

The findings, Think Progress notes, provide “an entirely new public health impetus for keeping global CO2 levels as low as possible.”

The study of 24 people exposed to different indoor environmental quality conditions over six full work days showed that participants’ cognitive scores were an average 61 percent higher on days working in buildings with low pollution levels than on days working in a conventional building. The results held true across all cognitive abilities that were tested: basic activity, applied activity, focused activity, task orientation, crisis response, information seeking, information usage, breadth of approach and strategy.

When lowered CO2 levels were coupled with lower pollutants in buildings, cognitive scores were a whopping 101 percent higher than in conventional buildings. That finding was significant, the study noted, as CO2 is not typically thought of as a direct indoor pollutant.

The largest improvements were seen in participants’ cognitive abilities relating to strategy, information usage and crisis response….read the full article.

In knowing how improving your air quality can potentially improve both the health and performance of your employees, what can you do to help? MAB Air Solutions offers a complimentary air cleaning to show you exactly how simple the process can be.

Jonathan Choquel provides a quite obvious but often overlooked tip:

Before starting this list of « not so obvious » tips to improve indoor air quality, let’s talk a little bit more about the most obvious tip: opening the windows. Having this habit is good. It’s a good start as it helps lower concentrations of toxic chemicals as well as carbon dioxide (CO2).
Indeed, indoors, the quality of the air is typically several times poorer than the air outdoors.
Certain everyday situations can suddenly degrade indoor air quality. In theses cases, you shouldn’t wait until the next morning to open the windows.
Pollution peaks might happen when you bring home a new piece of pressed-wood furniture or add a coat of paint on the walls. The air your breath indoors can also be degraded by the lack of cleaning.
• Open the windows 5 to 10 minutes. Do it on an everyday basis, even if you don’t know exactly how polluted the air is inside your home. You should also do it when you or someone else engages in an activity prone to deteriorate indoor air quality. Learn 6 more tips here

If interested in learning more about indoor plants that can improve air quality check out this related post!

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