You have likely heard of the term EMF’s. EMF stands for Electromagnetic Fields and it represents the invisible and potentially harmful electric frequencies that are emitted from many different sources. In today’s technological, automated and highly electric world we live in, these frequencies are all around us every single day. Think of cell phone towers, power lines, cell phones, Wi-Fi and all the simple electric appliances in our homes. It is impossible to 100% avoid these frequencies unless we decide to camp out in the remote wilderness on an isolated island without any modern technologies with us.
What is the Issue with EMF’s?
The issue with EMF’s is that there is evidence that they may be linked to various illnesses, disease, and cancers that humans are facing at an unprecedented rate. EMF’s and the use of cell phones have also been linked to common ailments such as digestion, brain fog, sleep issues and skin disorders to name a few.
Last week I was in a conversation with an Oncologist and I asked for his input on EMF’s and in particular his view on Cell phones. His comment was that although there is not a 100% link between EMF’s, cell phones and various cancers, he personally avoids EMF’s whenever possible. In fact, he outlined that he personally avoids putting his cell phone up to his ear whenever possible and instead puts it on speaker phone.
I thought today I would share some of the things that I currently do in order to reduce the potentially harmful exposure to EMF’s. You will note that a lot of the things I do to avoid harmful EMF’s revolve around the use of my cell phone. This is due to the fact that all of us seem to have a cell phone either on us, in our pockets or close to us all hours of the day.
1.Put Cell Phones in Airplane Mode
A good friend recently shared with me that they were having very serious sleep issues as well serious digestive issues. After seeing a number of doctors with no apparent solution, they met with a professional that suggested that they turn their cell phone off or put it in “Airplane mode” whenever the phone was near their body. They shared that they were pleasantly surprised as within one week of following this advice, their digestive issues 100% disappeared and also their sleep improved right away. That was enough evidence for me to take this advice to heart and now I keep my phone on Airplane mode whenever it is possible. 100% of the time, I ensure my phone is in Airplane mode when I have it in my pocket, suit or anywhere near my body.
2.Turn the Cell phone off at night
Many people I know take their phone to bed, do some emails prior to going to sleep, and put it on their nightstand for use as an alarm clock. I have had people say they think this is safe as they keep it a few feet from their bed on their night table. From everything I have researched and read, the best solution is to turn your cell phone off or put it in Airplane mode during the night. I used to be one of those people that used their phone as my alarm clock however now I keep my phone downstairs and I also put it in “Airplane Mode” or turn it off every single night.
3.Turn phone off or put in airplane mode when in Car
They have compared the EMF’s that surround us when in a car equivalent to us sitting in a microwave oven. Automobiles today are very technical and as a result, when we drive there are EMF’s all around us. I spend a lot of time in my car and therefore this is of concern to me. Therefore when I am in the car, I make a point of turning off my Bluetooth and when able I put my phone in Airplane mode. When I do need to use my phone for a call, I either use my headphones or use the speakerphone on the phone and keep it on the seat beside me.
4.Use old-school headphones when using a cell phone
I spend a lot of my time especially when I am in the car, listening to podcasts. I try to use my time when driving alone to gain more knowledge and get more information listening to my favourite Podcasts. When I listen to podcasts or talk on the phone, I use old school headphones whenever possible. I typically download my Podcasts in advance of driving or flying, turn my phone on airplane mode and either listen through the speaker on the phone or use my headphones.
5.When On a Plane
One of the highest sources of EMF’s we encounter is while we are flying. Through all the screens on the back of our seats, WiFi on the flights, and all the electric magnetic fields that are abundant on an airplane, this is one of the highest sources of EMF’s. These are very difficult to avoid however there a few things I do when I fly. When I am flying I generally turn off the screen that is on the back of the seat in front of me. The other thing I do is I download my Podcasts in advance of the flight so I can listen to them in airplane mode through my headphones.
6.Turn Off Electricity in Bedroom
The Blogs I write on Sleep are typically my most viewed and read blogs that I do. This indicates to me that today many many people are having issues with their sleep and sleep patterns. I believe one of the driving forces behind these sleep issues is all the electricity, technology and corresponding EMF’s that are in our bedroom. This is a big issue as typically we are trying to spend one third(33%) of our lives sleeping in our bedroom, so I think it is a good idea to try to reduce EMF’s when possible.
I used to have an electronic clock and alarm in my room and now I have taken that away and just use my old watch that has an alarm on it to wake me up. We have a TV in our room so I ensure that both the Satellite and the TV power source is turned off when we go to sleep. In the past, I used to turn the TV off and not worry about the Satellite or sound system and now I ensure all are turned off prior to bed. So the bottom line is I turn everything off in my room that may emit EMF’s so I can have a peaceful, sound sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and re-energized.
My Next Steps
There are a few other “easy fixes” that I intend to do in order to reduce my exposure to potentially harmful EMF’s. These are all based on the research and input I have received on this topic from the experts.
7.Turn off my WiFI when not home or at night.
From everything I have researched, a big source of EMF’s is the WiFi in our homes. Typically most of our homes and offices have WiFI running 100% of the time. I have learned from many of my fellow health advocates and podcasters that they turn off the WiFi in their homes when they are not using it. One of my next steps is to put my WiFi on a timer(like we do with our lights) so that it turns off while we are sleeping or not using it. Therefore I will set my timer to turn our Wi-Fi off while we are sleeping as well as during the day when we are at work. Therefore the only time it really needs to be on is during our few hours we are home in the evening.
8.EMF protector for Cell Phone
Although I have my cell phone in “Airplane mode” the majority of the time while it is on or near my body, there are times when I do need to have it on or near me for either business or personal reasons. One of my favourite Podcasters and Health/fitness professionals is Ben Greenfield(BenGreenfield.com). Ben is a huge proponent of a cell phone protector to reduce or eliminate EMF’s so I am going to get one for Barb and I as well as our kids.
9.EMF Protector for laptop
Another item I have been meaning to order is a shield that would sit on my lap when I use my laptop. When I use my laptop, I typically have it on my lap and my research shows that once again that this is not healthy and the laptop emits harmful EMF’s. Therefore, I am going to order EMF protectors for Barb, myself and our children.
Baby steps
As those of you know that read my blog regularly, I believe in taking baby steps towards our goals. I believe that the reason people fail at diets or any significant change is they try to take too big a step all at once. Even if you start doing one little item from above, that is a start and after a while, you may start doing another tip I have shared. That is exactly how I started. I started initially by putting my phone in Airplane mode when it was near or on my body and I have slowly introduced the other items that I have outlined and will continue to try and improve over time.
To Summarize, these are the key things I would encourage you to consider in order to reduce EMF exposure:
1.Put Cell in Airplane mode or turn off when it is near your body
2.Turn Your Cell Phone off at Night
3.Put phone in Airplane mode when in Car
4.Use Headphones instead of Bluetooth
5.Turn off Screen on Planes
6.Turn off all Electricity in Bedroom at night
Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and EMF free day,
Kev
2 comments
Really helpful tips on an increasingly important issue. Thanks, Kev.
Hi Kev,
Very interesting information. I’m learning something new everyday. Keep up the good work.
Love,
Marge