introduction
Wellness by Design was written before the world shut down due to COVID-19. Not long after the manuscript was sent to the printers, a deadly new virus sent everyone home. Then suddenly, without warning, our lives change dramatically, and our living spaces become multitasking offices, fitness rooms, classrooms, isolation areas, and even, in some households, nursing homes. There was a need.
COVID-19 has made us aware of the reality and importance of home to our health, safety, and well-being. Public health researchers predict that many people currently alive will experience another severe pandemic in their lifetimes., it is essential to study how pandemics have changed our lives and living spaces in the next 25 years. The same is true for hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters. These disasters appear to have increased in frequency and severity in recent years. Let’s continue to prepare well!
This award-winning book has been updated in 2023 with an all-new bonus chapter: Lessons on How to Live in the Now.
(BLANCO / Wellness by Design / Simon & Schuster & Jamie Gold)
This bonus chapter explains how these events affect our homes, along with tips for increasing safety, comfort, and well-being. As I shared in the original book, I’ve also included some “health tips” with advice that anyone can follow, no matter their budget or home type.
We hope you find this new information useful, as much of it is relevant to the situations and crises we are currently facing.
The following is an excerpt from “Five Lessons on How to Live in the Now.”
The term resilience (the ability to withstand or quickly recover from hardship) has become popular over the past few years. When it comes to people, resilience is how we overcome crises that hit us personally, such as losing a loved one to a pandemic or losing the use of our home to a wildfire or hurricane. Unfortunately, some tragedies cannot be prevented, but we may be able to lessen the impact on our property.
Survey for architects A survey conducted in 2022 revealed that many of them do not believe current U.S. building codes are sufficient to protect buildings. In reporting on that research, I learned that the code was written to allow residents to evacuate the premises in the event of a disaster, not to ensure that the building would survive destruction. That was it. Can you build or renovate your home to withstand hurricanes, floods, and wildfires? The short answer is yes, but of course it can increase costs.
Adding battery storage to your solar panel system can help keep your home powered during a power outage.
(Savant Systems, Inc. / “Wellness by Design”” — Bonus Chapter (Jamie Gold))
Resistance to natural disasters
If you’re planning to build (or buy) a home in or near a wildfire zone, ask your architect about the roof, exterior walls, and landscaping of your home to reduce the risk of fires from wind sparks. It may be worth talking to your builder, builder, or contractor. As an example, porcelain cladding is non-combustible, unlike wood and many composite materials. The same goes for tile roofing materials.
When building or buying in a hurricane zone, resiliency matters for owners of Southwest Florida’s Babcock Ranch The community is very helpful. Built in an area hard-hit after Hurricane Charlie in 2004, the developer is raising the first floors of homes so that in future storms, floodwaters from ponds and lakes will flood streets instead of homes. The landscape and passageways were designed in such a way.
One resiliency feature that many homeowners can implement today that helped protect Babcock homeowners from power outages during Category 4 Ian in 2022 was a combination of solar panels and battery storage . What many solar customers don’t realize is that when the local power grid goes down, the panels they’re connected to (i.e., the ones that send power back to the utility company for credit) will provide their home with 24-hour power. This means that we will no longer be able to continue supplying. Unless it also has battery storage. This feature could be a lifesaver for families with medical equipment that relies on electricity or prescriptions that require refrigeration.
Whether you’re building a new home or renovating, consider installing an induction cooktop in your kitchen to reduce the risk of fire. Induction uses electromagnetic fields to heat things instead of flames or hot coils.
(Bosch Home Appliances / “Wellness by Design” (Simon & Schuster, 2020, Jamie Gold))
Mods that increase resilience
There are also renovation options that can make your home more resilient. One is to choose well-made materials that will last for years with minimal maintenance. Choosing porcelain floor tiles and wainscoting for the ground floor and basement of your home can reduce damage from flooding. (Revisited Chapter 3 Materials (useful for surface selection).
Tile floors are a smart choice because their water-resistant surface reduces damage from floods and fires.
(Cott d’Este/Italian Ceramics member company/”Wellness by Design” (Simon & Schuster, 2020, Jamie Gold))
Additional options to reduce the risk of a home fire include installing an appropriately sized, professionally installed ventilation hood over the cooktop or range, using an induction cooktop, and having a fire extinguisher on hand. Examples include leaving it behind. If you need a fireplace, choose an electric one. Another benefit of enhanced ventilation, induction technology, and electric (as opposed to gas or wood-fired) fireplaces is improved indoor air quality. Years of research and recent studies have shown that gas appliances in particular can pose health risks if poorly ventilated.
No matter what design decisions you make for your remodel or custom build, use a licensed contractor and qualified designer to ensure your project is properly constructed and installed . (look Chapter 2 Make your whole home healthy It will help you choose the right team. )
Even a simple smartphone can work with water leak detectors to alert homeowners before a major problem occurs.
(Josh.ai LLC, Photo: Nicholas Freeman / “Wellness by Design” – Bonus Chapter (Jamie Gold))
wellness tips
When adding safety items to your home, such as fire extinguishers and second-story escape ladders, be sure to show other family members where they are and how to use them so that everyone is prepared in case of an emergency. please.
A typical young couple like my parents could afford a home like this in the 1950s, but probably not today in San Diego.
(Jamie Gold’s personal collection)
Thoughts of parting
Finding a safe place to call home is a challenge for too many Americans. Older people struggle to find accessible accommodation to live independently, while younger people struggle to find an affordable place to start a family. Right now, the housing crisis is affecting most of us in some way, even if our home situation is stable and safe.
Crises caused by pandemics, an aging population, and an ever-increasing number of disasters are exacerbating these housing shortages, while wellness design, the practice of creating living spaces that support health, safety, and well-being, is becoming more and more just for the well-being. It makes it painfully clear that it’s not a thing. -what to do.
View of Otai mountain pass. “Nature brings you tranquility. That is nature’s gift to you.” – Eckhart Tolle
(Jamie Gold’s personal collection)
Our personal choices and the decisions we share with our communities going forward can bring about positive change.
Stay well,
jamie
san diego
Please ask directly for details.
Jamie Gold presents an author talk, “We presents “5 Lessons on How to Live Now.” And Happiness,” will be held at the San Diego County Library Bonita Sunnyside Branch on May 18 at 1 p.m.
The contents of the lecture are as follows.
- How to make your home and property more resilient to storms, wildfires, and power outages.
- Why multigenerational living benefits families and tips for making it successful for everyone.
- Why noise reduction is important for healthier living and home spaces, and how to achieve it.
Copies of her book will be available for purchase at the event.
The Bonita Sunnyside Branch Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita. For more information, call (619) 475-4642.
To get a free copy of the bonus chapter:
- If you have the book Wellness by Design, please visit the Checklists and Resources page (listed in the book’s table of contents). Find the dedicated website address printed there to find page information for accessing new bonus chapters and other useful links related to the book.
- If you don’t have this book, it’s available at Amazon.com, local independent bookstores via Bookshop.org, and most national bookstores. The original book is available in print, e-book, and audio versions.
Gold is a San Diego-based wellness design consultant, speaker, and author. “Wellness by Design: A room-by-room guide to optimizing your home for health, fitness, and well-being.” (Simon & Schuster).
