What Water Filter Is Best For Your Home?

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Is the water we drink everyday fit for our consumption? Many different factors such as rapid industrial development, growing population, misuse of water bodies and overall environmental degradation may or do lead to water pollution. Industrial chemicals like heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, etc. are increasingly finding their way into our water supplies. Even some ingredients that water supply bodies use to treat water (such as chlorine, chloramines, fluoride) can cause certain health problems.

This is why using a whole house water filter for your home, or at the very least one good water filter in your home has become absolutely necessary. However, before you go to purchase any particular water purifier, you might first like to know what harmful ingredients are there in your water. We strongly recommend a home water test for this purpose that will help you to know exactly what harmful ingredients are found in your home water supply and need to be removed therefore.

Choosing the Right Water Filter for Your Home
Once you know what contaminants are present in your water, it will be easier to make an informed decision about what kind of filter to buy for your home---and also, what model. Since, not all models and makes of a similar type of water filter (e.g., a pitcher filter) remove the same ingredients and contaminants.

You may often find people querying what is the best water filter or best countertop filter. However, you'll hardly come across models that fall in the 'Fits All' category. What is best depends on what your requirements are. For this reason, it is important that you carefully read the fine print whenever you are buying a specific water filter item for your home  and get to understand exactly what sort of contaminants the product is able to remove.

That said, we can still have a quick look at the most common types of water filters that are available for home use and discuss their advantages as well as the downsides.

Pitcher Filters
Pitcher filters are a simple and cost-effective option. However, bear in mind that they are not as effective at removing contaminants as they are when it comes to improving the odor and taste of your water. Some of the recent best filter pitcher models will effectively remove both chlorine and chloramine. However, remember that in a pitcher filter, the water sits for a long time in plastic and can thus absorb a number of still poorly understood compounds that can be harmful to your health.

Faucet-mount Filters
Faucet-mount filters again are easy to use and make for a relatively inexpensive option. More importantly, however, a majority of these models are able to remove a good number of contaminants. However, again pay attention to the fine prints and get to know exactly what contaminants a specific product will remove. Also, one telling disadvantage of a faucet-mount filter is that you will probably need to fit these filters at more than one location and that augments the cost. Also, although replacement filters do not cost much, they may prove to be expensive in the long run since this type of filters requires more frequent replacements than the others.

Countertop Water Filters
The countertop filters can be used as standalone gravity-fed filters or you can attach them to your faucet (if you happen to have a spacious countertop). If hooked to a faucet, you won't have to refill the filter container manually. Usually, these filters are excellent in removing a good number of harmful ingredients and pollutants from the water. The countertop filters are also low-maintenance and do not require frequent replacements. A replacement filter is able to purify 3,000 gallons of water and the price of the replacement cartridges have come down, too, from what they used to be, say a couple of years ago. The cartridges are currently available at around $60.

Undersink Filter
An undersink filter works in much the same way as a countertop model and requires little maintenance. People normally settle for these models when there is not enough space on the countertop to hook up a filter to the faucet.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters
RO filters use a multi-stage filtration process by combining particle filtration with active carbon. The water is made to pass through a membrane fitted with the tiniest of holes that help remove microorganisms and minerals present in water. Of all other kinds mentioned above, Reverse Osmosis filters perhaps perform the best job in removing contaminants. Additionally, the filters are also good at improving the taste of the water. We especially recommend RO filters if the water source in your locality contains a high amount of dissolved salt in the water. However, since these filters remove all microorganisms and bacteria from the water including those that are beneficial for our health, consuming RO water long-term may lead to certain health issues.

UV and UF Filters
These water filters make use of the latest and most advanced technologies to purify water. UV or Ultra Violet filters, for example, eliminate the microorganisms in water by using a powerful UV lamp. The UV purifiers also does a great job in removing pesticides found in water.

UF or Ultrafiltration filters, on the other hand, uses a high-tech hollow fiber membrane to remove microorganisms as well as chlorine, sand and dust from the water.

All of these last three types of water filters (RO, UV and UF) do a better job in removing contaminants from water as compared to other types of water filters and as you can imagine, they are the most costly options, too. However, as we mentioned, since these filters kill all the bacteria in the water, including the beneficial ones, they may not be ideal for long-term use.

Finally, besides water filters for drinking water, you may also consider installing a Shower Filter or a Whole House Water Filter for added protection.

Boost Your Wellness with These Top 4 Tips

Being outdoors can be such a mood boost!

Everyone’s wellness could use a little boost once in a while, couldn’t it? Let these 4 tips help. 

1.    Take Care of Your Immune System and It’ll Take Care of You

Your wellness depends on a healthy mind and body, and you want your body to be in top form at all times – and this doesn’t just mean how it looks on the outside. Your immune system is vital in fighting off any attacks in the form of illnesses, and the practices to encourage a stronger immune system are the simplest as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. 

These include:

• Eating healthily
• Getting the right amount of nutrients
• Getting enough sleep and plenty of rest when needed
• Avoiding stress

Reset IV Miami offers the opportunity to give your immune system a boost when needed, especially during the colder months when you might be prone to more illnesses such as the cold and flu virus. 

2.    Prioritize “Me Time” (and No, It’s Not Selfish!)

Time for yourself can be spent however you want it to be spent, and make sure it’s personal to you. Do whatever makes you happy – even if that’s simply doing nothing for a change – and don’t feel guilty about doing so, either. Enjoying some private time every once in a while is essential in recharging your batteries and embracing your own positive mental health habits. 

Learn to say no to social occasions if you don’t feel up to it, and also learn that it’s okay to say no. If you want to spend an evening in alone after an arduous week, that’s perfectly acceptable. 

Be sure to use your ‘me time’ wisely for some self-care, whether it’s a relaxing bubble bath, meditation, watching your favorite film or even just getting an early night. 

3.    Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature More

Nothing can really compete with nature when it comes to a natural remedy for improving your health and wellbeing. Beautiful, inspiring landscapes and settings are all around you, if you take the time to look and experience them. 

Especially if you have a hectic lifestyle which often sees you staring at a screen, chained to a desk or even just spending a lot of time indoors, breathing in fresh air and escaping to an idyllic natural retreat can have a huge boost on your positive thinking and health. Try out walking and hiking more to also improve your active lifestyle. 

4.    Appreciate the Little Things, and Concentrate on the Good

Your wellness depends on concentrating on the positive over the negative, and you have the power to do so. This could be in the simplest way, such as starting the day by making a small list of everything you’re grateful for, but even the smallest gestures could have the biggest impacts on your mental health. This is turn will make you feel more positive and motivated to care further for your wellbeing, such as feeling productive enough to exercise or cook a healthy meal. 

Don’t allow negativity to consume you and make you feel unmotivated and sluggish.

Inspirational Nursing Quotes to Get You Through the Day

Choosing the right career is always tough. Deciding how to spend your professional life is a challenge and many of us spend years trying to brighten your future with a lasting role. 

Nursing is a role that can be incredibly rewarding and also a stable source of income for years to come. Whether you study Grand Canyon University nursing or online you’ll be able to start building a wonderful lasting career for yourself right away. 

Today we wanted to share some motivational quotes for all the nurses who might be having a bad day or are struggling with the stress of the role. Keep your chin up and live by these words… 

Many things aren’t equal but everyone gets the same 24 hours, 7 days a week. We make time for what we truly want.

Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion. – Muhammad Ali

Why Selling A Childhood Home Is Emotional For All The Family

There will come a time where you sell a property that was a childhood for either yourself or for your children and that for everyone, it can be very emotional. With so many memories and moving to somewhere new and unfamiliar, it can be a move that is very painful. So here’s why selling a childhood home is emotional for all the family.

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There’s So Many Memories

With a family home, there tends to be a lot of memories attached to it. From them growing up to leaving and then coming back. It gets more meaningful the more years you spend in that property. And these memories are with every member of the household, and they might be different for each person. None are more significant than the other, and each will be hard to let go for fear of losing that attachment of the memory. Some rooms or furniture can spark that memory from way back, and to think you might not have that can be upsetting.

Fear Of The Next Home Not Meeting Expectations

When selling your home, even though it’s something you might be sad to lose, you want it to sell as quickly as possible. If you’re looking for help with selling it, then you can always look at Sell My House Fast. There can often be a fear that the new home might not meet the same and often have high expectations that you come to have in relation to your old home. It’s hard to compare another home to a childhood one because it’s never really going to be the same until you spend more time in that new property and create more memories from it. Your expectations might not get met with this new place, but it’s important to know that a property can still become your home and that you won’t stop creating more memories. Your home, after all, is your family and those you love and who you want to share it with. 

The Thought Of Someone Living There

When you’ve spent so long in a family home, the thought of anyone being there instead of you can feel very weird. It’s interesting how we can become so attached to bricks and mortar, but to think anyone could be in your old home and making their own memories can feel strange. As long as you don’t go knocking on the door and asking to come in, there’s nothing wrong than driving down the street to see the home that you used to live in. Sometimes it’s interesting to see what they did with the property, and often, you can see those changes just by glancing in. 

Things Might Need To Be Thrown Away

You may find that things will need to be thrown away before moving to the next property, and that can be painful for you. So go through the process with your household and to reflect on the memories that came with it.

Take your time and have your own grieving for the property that you’ll soon say goodbye to. 

How To Take Control Of Your Health

There are plenty of important things in life, such as our happiness, the security of our family, and our jobs. And we take a lot of steps to ensure that everything is as it should be on those fronts. But there’s one area of our lives, arguably the most important, that many of us don’t give pay as much attention to as we should: our health. While it’s reasonable to assume that everything is fine when we’re younger, and thus don’t have to focus on it too much, that all changes once we’re older. Below, we take a look at a few ways in which you can take control of your health.

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Know Your Body 

Your body will tell or show you whether it’s in good shape, but you’ll need to listen to what it says in order for their words to be effective. Perhaps the simplest way to look after your health is to know your body and be aware of any changes. This can apply to the big things, such as your moles (check once a month for changes), to general health matters, such as your weight. You don’t necessarily need to have scales at home; you’ll have a sense whether you’re in good shape just by looking in the mirror. 

The Risk Factors

As we grow older, we’re at increased chance of developing serious conditions which, if left untreated, can reduce our quality of life and even be life-threatening. As such, it’s important that you’re aware of the illnesses and diseases that you’re at risk of developing, and taking steps to keep them under control. The best way to do this is to go for annual checks with your doctor. They'll have the information and tools to ensure that everything is as it should be. If you’re at risk of developing breast cancer, for instance, then they’ll order a diagnostic mammogram. If you’re a risk for diabetes, then they’ll advise lifestyle changes. Part of staying in control is understanding what someone with your genetic makeup may develop, and then avoiding the triggers.

Socially Accepted Vices

Many of us harm our health, and don’t even realize it. If you’re drinking too much alcohol or smoking cigarettes, then you’re harming your health. We’ve known about cigarettes for a long time, of course, but alcohol is relatively new; they’ve recently discovered that any amount of alcohol is detrimental to health (they used to think that several drinks a week was fine). If you’re going to take control of your health, then you need to make your own mind about substances that are otherwise socially acceptable. You can’t just go along with the crowd.

Mental Space

If you just go along with the world, then it’ll be no wonder if you end up anxious or stressed. It’s that type of world! As such, a crucial part of taking control of your health is taking the time to clear your mind and get a little headspace. Meditation, exercise, and walks in nature are all tried and tested methods for giving your mind a boost when it’s needed.