ExclusivesThinkingTop 5 ways to boost your health and reduce your exposure to EMFs at work

Michelle Bexelius, Owner/Environmental Wellness Director at DesignWell Studios exposes the top 5 ways to boost your health and reduce your exposure to EMFs at your workstation.
Content Team4 years ago13 min

Your office, your workstation, it’s the place where most people spend most of the time during the day. The human body is able to handle more during the day but how much is too much exposure from EMFs? You can do a lot in your own workspace as well as at home, it’s outside where it’s difficult to mitigate sources like power lines, cell towers or substations. It’s vital to take the time to craft a supportive environment so you can not only be inspired but aware and healthy so you can thrive to be your best at what you do!

Do you know how many wireless devices in your environment or on your body? You’d be amazed how many signals are being sent and received around you on a daily basis. Why is this a big deal? Increasing numbers of individuals are becoming hypersensitive to Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR). EMR exists around power lines, power tools, electric stoves, heaters, freezers and television sets when in use, extending several feet or yards around the appliance. Using an electric iron, dryer or a keyboard or working with handheld power tools can quickly drain our energies.

Sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation is the emerging health problem of the 21st century. It is imperative health practitioners, governments, schools and parents learn more about it. The human health stakes are significant – William Rea, MD Founder & Director of the Environmental Health Center, Dallas Past President, American Academy of Environmental Medicine

I was called to test the front office for a client who was experiencing symptoms from EMF sensitivities and over exposure. She noticed her thighs started developing dents in them. My client looked to see if there was a correlation from EMF sensitivity and what was happening to her body, turns out there is. It’s called Lipoatrophia is a rare but real medical condition that seems to follow highly automated offices. It stems from large amounts of electrostatic and electromagnetic energies. The disease takes the form of “dents’ ‘ in the fatty tissue of the legs. It takes about 3 – 6 months to appear. If the worker leaves the environment, it takes a few months to disappear. If the worker comes back, the problem can reoccur. This is the first disease that seems to be directly related to electrical noise in the workplace and which can be cured by affecting that noise.

When I came out to test I found several potential culprits. There were three portable heaters, a wireless scanner, a wifi booster, computer speakers (very high in magnetic fields), computer tower, cell phones. After testing I recommended replacing the heaters with a ceramic heater which is lower in magnetic fields, moving the speakers away from her desk as well as the scanner. The wifi booster was taken away as well.

Top 5 things to do to reduce your EMF exposures at your workstation/office

  1. Move your router or wifi booster at least 20 feet from your desk or anyone’s desk.
  2. Use a wired phone rather than a cordless phone
  3. Disable Bluetooth and wireless on your phone only use when needed
  4. If you use a space heater, use a ceramic one
  5. If you use speakers, plug them in away from your desk

Cells in the body react to EMFs as potentially harmful, just like to other environmental toxins, including heavy metals and toxic chemicals. The DNA in living cells recognizes electromagnetic fields at very low levels of exposure; and produces a biochemical stress response. The scientific evidence tells us that our safety standards are inadequate, and that we must protect ourselves from exposure to EMF due to power lines, cell phones and the like, or risk the known consequences. The science is very strong and we should sit up and pay attention – Martin Blank, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons; Researcher in Bioelectromagnetics; Author of the BioInitiative Report’s section on Stress Proteins

Electromagnetic Sensitivity

Also known as Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) or electrosensitivity, is a condition in which an individual experiences symptoms like headaches, dizziness, unusual heart palpitations, or insomnia, around wireless technologies or electrical devices such as smart meters, cell towers, Wi-Fi, mobile phones, cordless phones, power line magnetic fields, intermediate frequencies, and electric fields from various electronics devices.

Symptoms

  • Neurological: headaches, dizziness/nausea, memory and concentration difficulties, insomnia, depression/anxiety, fatigue/weakness, numbness/tingling, muscle and joint pains.
  • Cardiac: heart palpitations, shortness of breath, heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure.
  • Eyes: pain/discomfort, pressure in the eyes, deteriorating vision, cataracts.
  • Ears: ringing in the ears, hearing loss.
  • Other: skin problems, digestive problems, dehydration, nosebleeds, impaired sense of smell and light sensitivity.”

Symptoms of Electromagnetic Microwave Illness

The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) and the National Institute for the Study and Control of Cancer and Environmental Diseases ‘Bernardino Ramazzini’, published a report, “ Non-thermal Effects and Mechanisms of Interaction Between Electromagnetic Fields and Living Matter ” in 2010. This was an international effort by scientists to compile what was known at that time about the biological effects and mechanisms of action, and included studies showing EMFs create oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier permeability, genotoxic and fertility effects, heat shock (or stress) proteins, changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and in neurotransmitters, and much more.

Currently, most everything can be managed from your cell phone which can be taxing on your body as well. Do a digital detox and take the time to take breaks from technology, take a walk outside in nature to get grounded as often as you can. At night, turn it on airplane mode with privacy settings off while still being able to use your alarm clock! If you really need to stay connected, move your phone far away from your bed or have your calls transferred to a cord phone/landline.

If you are interested in testing your station, don’t go out and buy a testing device on Amazon, consult with a professional first as many devices aren’t calibrated correctly. There are many more things you can do to bolster your health and protect your body from potentially harmful frequencies. Stay tuned for more articles to come on this topic.

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About DesignWell Studios:

DesignWell Studios is an environmental wellness design and testing company that optimizes built environments that promote beauty, health + well being.

Michelle Bexelius:

Co-owner/Environmental Wellness Director at DesignWell Studios, Michelle has helped many clients redesign their environments to a healthier place who have suffered from illnesses such as leukemia, asthma, cancer, environmental toxins and mental illness. She has worked on many cases involving poor indoor air quality stemming from engineered wood flooring and cabinets that were made with formaldehyde. It is her purpose to help spread the message of healthy building materials, finishes and furnishings throughout the design/build community and beyond.

Michelle Bexelius, Co-owner/Environmental Wellness of DesignWell Studios

Content Team

Work in Mind is a content platform designed to give a voice to thinkers, businesses, journalists and regulatory bodies in the field of healthy buildings.

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