There’s a lot of talk these days about toxins in the environment and contamination of our air and water. But one of the biggest contaminants that affects our bodies in a significant and often unacknowledged way is the level of EMFs that surround us all day and all night. A healthy body is balanced on all levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. We generally think about keeping our bodies well by maintaining a healthy diet and exercise. One of the most disruptive contaminants to our bodies and our energy fields is actually not related to either food or activity—It’s the constant bombardment of electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) on our systems.

Everything in the universe, including your body, is composed of frequencies or energy vibrations. Electric fields are created when differences in voltage occur in the same space, and magnetic fields are created when the electric currents flow. The frequencies of your body create an electromagnetic field that surrounds you called a “biofield”. The health and vitality of your biofield influences the health of your mind and body and vice-versa. When you are outside, your body comes into resonance with the earth’s natural voltage so activities such as sitting on the earth are harmonious with your biofield and support its health, while others disrupt it. When you walk inside a building, such as your home, your body is usually the most conductive thing around, which means that these frequencies are attracted directly to you, causing your voltage to shoot up in unnatural ways.

Normally we can’t see or hear EMFs, but there is equipment available that measures EMFs and translates the effect of the field into a noise. It sounds like static and you can actually hear the chaotic field that your body is exposed to all day long.

Electromagnetic fields affect us because the conflicting signals received from exposure to EMFs can adversely interact with the body’s own internal electric responses (i.e., the nervous system, brain function, heart function, digestion). Over time, when the highest flow of our own biofield is constantly interrupted, we can experience imbalances in mind and/or body. Ultimately this can contribute to more severe physical imbalance or disease. If you have a strong immune system, EMFs may cause minor annoying symptoms, like brain fog, insomnia or headaches. If, however, your immune system is already challenged, the effects are exacerbated and the presence of EMFs can make it harder to recover from whatever health challenge your body is facing. Research shows that EMFs have a damaging effect on health. Serious diseases such as cancer have been linked to EMFs—especially in people who have a low functioning immune system.

If you are sensitive to EMFs, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Sleep disturbances, and nervous system problems
• Fatigue, stress
• Skin rash, burning or prickling sensations
• Aches and muscle pains
• Foggy brain and depression
• Ear, nose, and throat symptoms
• Digestive disorders
• Infertility
• Leukemia in children, breast cancer or cancer clusters

Just a few hundred years ago none of these electronic gadgets existed. We were more in tune with nature as a whole and with our nature. Now, disconnected from the earth, we are finding the path back to balance can be challenging. All around us we are surrounded by frequencies that are not part of nature: WIFI, cell phone towers, radio waves, microwaves, etc.  We can’t live with these EMFs, yet we can’t seem to live without the things that create these harmful fields.

EMFs are now a part of everyday living. Every electrical appliance that you have in your home emits these invisible fields. From computers to cell phones, hair dryers, blenders and microwaves, there is no way to escape being affected in some way.

Where do EMFs come from?

Cordless phones, microwave ovens, vacuums, hairdryers, refrigerators, irons, electric blankets, razors, and toothbrushes, TVs (flat panel TVs are better), main ring and lighting circuits, dimmer switches, WiFi, computers, cell phones, fluorescent or halogen lighting, fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, cell phones, power lines, electrical substations, transformers, cell phone towers, cities that provide citywide wireless Internet and even EMFs from your nearby neighbors’ electronic equipment. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the damaging effects of EMFs.

Follow these guidelines to reduce your exposure and protect yourself against EMFs:

• Step Away

Simply standing a few feet away from most electrical appliances significantly reduces your exposure. Of all the common electrical household appliances, cordless phones, baby monitors and hair dryers produce the strongest EMF fields, so whenever you use any appliance: a toaster, blender, or anything, step a few feet away while operating it. Also, fortunately, you can now find companies that produce low-EMF appliances. So, for example, if you use a hair dryer daily, consider purchasing a low EMF one to reduce your exposure. Attention parents: Nearly all baby monitors are now digital and use the same technology as cordless phones which continuously pulsate microwave energy throughout the room and beyond.  Try to find a non-digital model if possible for your baby’s health.

• Ground on the Earth

Humans used to walk barefoot on the earth and spend more time outside. Research shows that when one has contact on natural surfaces an actual energetic grounding occurs. Connecting to the earth helps the body become more alkaline, less stressed, and boosts immune response. If you work in an office environment, try to surround yourself with plants or sit outside on the grass during lunch breaks. Walk barefoot when possible.

• Use an EMF blocking pendant or device

Many companies are now manufacturing new devices which alter how your body’s biofield responds to EMFs. The effect of these devices on your field can be measured to show the impact. Many different tools are available, ranging from pendants to chips that you place on your cell phone or appliances or plug into your wall sockets… Research to see which one(s) might be best for you.

• Unplug appliances when not in use

Electronics emit higher EMFs when plugged in, even if you are not using them. Besides wasting electricity, you are adding to the grand total of EMFs affecting your field when you leave appliances such as coffee pots, curling irons, printers, computers, microwaves, etc. plugged in.

• Sleep in Peace

The bedroom is one place that you should definitely limit EMFs where possible. Never sleep with a cell phone or laptop within three feet of your head. Strong EMF radiation too close to your head during the night can interfere with healthy sleep patterns, disrupt hormone cycles, and add extra demands to your body’s workload for regular nightly regeneration. If you can, opt to buy a hard wired router, or at least turn your router off at night when you are sleeping to minimize radiation when your defenses are at their lowest.

• Shield your Home

You can find bioelectric shielding devices for the home, which can be particularly useful if you live in close proximity to neighbors with WiFi or have a transformer or substation near your home. Look for something with demonstrated scientific results.

• Laptops

Laptops emit the strongest frequency when plugged in and charging, so charge your computer up in advance and then unplug it for work. Avoid sitting with your laptop in your lap… You can plug in a secondary mouse and keyboard to have in your lap if needed to minimize the effects.

• Rewire when Possible

If you can rewire your home, have your electrician install a master switch in the bedroom. At bedtime you can turn the switch and cut off all the power and therefore, EMFs at night. If you are building a new home, your electrician can use “BX electrical cable” when wiring. This twisted wire produces significantly less EMFs.

• Give up Bluetooth

Always use your cell phone on speaker or get a low EMF corded headphone—this is a hollow tube that lets air flow through instead of a wired cord that leads directly to your head, intensifying the frequencies. Best to avoid bluetooth technology which often exceeds safe limits for EMF radiation.

• Lighting

The lights you install at home can make a difference. Avoid installing low-voltage (12 volt) halogen and energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting. While marketed to be energy efficient and save money, the flip side of this technology is a really strong EMF field comes from their ballast or transformer. They also create ‘dirty electricity’ (high frequency radiation that comes from your home’s wiring). Cleaner LCD lighting technology is just around the corner, so if you can wait for the upgrade you’ll get a better solution.

• Don’t Wear Your Phone like a Beeper

A lot of people carry their cell phones in their pocket or under their clothes. A better place would be in a purse, backpack, or briefcase, since the strength of the field diminishes rapidly beyond three feet. You could also carry it in “airplane mode” or powered off until you are ready to use it. At a minimum, if you must wear your phone, keep the battery side away from your skin. When you are talking on the phone, it’s also a good idea to switch the side of your head you normally hold the phone. Avoid cordless phones because they emit radiation 24 hours a day even when you are not using them. Use an ordinary landline phone instead.

• What to do outside your home

Look around your home for cell phone towers. If there is a clear and unobstructed view of a cell phone tower facing your home within a distance of about 300 yards, look for a shielding device to protect your home. They are available via the internet. If you see a cell phone tower, but the mast is obstructed by other homes or buildings, the other buildings are probably absorbing most of the density so they are not a primary concern.

Check for the location of any electrical substations outside your home. These are found outside, usually enclosed in a cabinet or surrounded by a fence. If you are at least 20 feet away the levels of radiation from these should be low enough to not have a severe impact. Overhead electricity lines have fields that range with the power of the line. Smaller lines have a range of about 50 feet, while more powerful lines expand to around 500 feet.

High voltage cables can also be found buried underground. If you have neighbors in close range and want to protect yourself from their radiation, you can find electrosmog shielding paint that you can use on your interior walls to protect your space.

In addition to these external remedies, there are many ways to protect your body from EMFs internally. Check out: Part 2: Superfood Solutions for EMF protection!