​Does Your Child Have a Spooky Bedroom?

Children have long been afraid of the dark, monsters that hide under the bed, and things that go bump in the night. But how do you handle a situation in which your child believes their bedroom is haunted?

It may surprise you to know that there can be a very logical explanation for that spooky sensation your child is experiencing. It's called Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is the result of continual exposure to high levels of electric and magnetic fields (EMFs). There are three sources of electromagnetic frequencies that can affect your home: exterior power lines, interior wiring, and electrical appliances.

If the level of electromagnetic energy within a room is high, the result can be a room that feels, well, haunted. This is especially true for those with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. In some cases, however, EMF exposure can be so subtle in its presence that you may be unaware that you or your child are sitting or sleeping in a higher-than-normal level of it.

Symptoms of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity include headaches, skin irritations, nausea, irritability, feelings of hopelessness or paranoia, and an eerie feeling that someone is watching you. Continual exposure to high levels of EMF can also compromise your immune system, cellular renewal, and sleep patterns, making you more prone to illness. Self-check: If you notice that you consistently feel fatigued and/or you have difficulty focusing, there is a chance you may be sitting in an area of your home that has a higher-than-normal electromagnetic field.

What to Check Within Your Home:  

1. Check the proximity of your child to the source of EMF. For instance, how far away is the bed from obvious culprits such as computers, amplifiers, baby monitors, and other electronics? An unassuming desk lamp or clock radio can emit a surprisingly high level of EMF. Also, check for less obvious energy sources such as hidden wires, electric blankets, heating pads, and even water beds. [FYI: An electric blanket can still emit a high level of EMF even when it's turned off.]

2. Check the proximity of your child's bed to wall/electrical outlets. The level of EMFs will naturally be higher around an electrical outlet. This can present a potential problem if the bed frame is metal and is serving as a conduit to draw the electricity into the bed or, likewise, if the mattress contains metal springs which would also serve as a conduit, magnetizing the effects of EMF.  

3. Off the Wall: Be mindful of where your child's bed is located in terms of wall space. Is the bed along an interior wall (an interior wall separates two rooms and may contain wiring), or an exterior wall (which separates the indoors from the outdoors)? Although you won't have to be concerned about interior wires in an exterior wall, you should take a moment to check where the meter box for the house is located outside. A bed positioned along an exterior wall that has a meter box sited on the opposite side of it can be affected by a seemingly subtle, but often intense, level of EMF. 

EMF Pollution Solutions: 

+  As a general rule, a safe distance between your child and a source of EMF is eighteen inches to three feet. Often simply moving an item back several inches or feet can make the difference between a safe or unsafe level of electromagnetic energy. If the bed doesn't have a headboard and your child is sleeping with her head up against a wall, consider scooting the bed back 18 inches from the wall or placing a decorative screen or another piece of furniture to separate the wall from the bedhead.

+  EMF Re-leaf: Don't underestimate the many benefits live plants bring to an environment. For starters, live plants help to reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields. Plants also detoxify the air and reduce indoor air pollutants (such as dust) by approximately 20%. Studies show that three small plants per 12' x 10' room will successfully cleanse and purify the surrounding air. On the list of "top performing" plants are the popular philodendron, dieffenbachia, spider, peace lily, and orchid plants.  

Creating and maintaining a healthy home begins with your awareness of your surroundings and the subtle, yet profound, effect it can have on you and your family's health. And when it comes to kids' rooms, peaceful beats paranormal any day!

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