Thursday 24 July 2008

How Negative Can Equal Positive

Sometimes, the best way to get positive is to get negative… negative air ions, that is!

A negative air ion is formed when an oxygen molecule gains an electron. Since electrons are negatively charged, the addition of one to a previously neutral molecule results in the molecule as a whole becoming negatively charged. The extra electron comes from another molecule that has been broken apart by means of energy acting upon it.

Since this energy is most often in the form of sunlight or moving air and water, it comes as no surprise that negative air ions are found in abundance in natural environments, which can contain about 4 000 negative air ions per cubic centimetre. In comparison, a typical city environment will contain less than 100 negative air ions per cubic centimetre as a result of the neutralising effects of various pollutants and synthetic materials as well as the presence of objects (such as computer monitors) that create positive air ions instead. Whereas positive air ions have a draining effect on us, negative air ions help to regulate our levels of serotonin and increase the flow of oxygen to our brains, resulting in us experiencing increased energy, greater alertness, decreased depression and relief of stress.

Various negative ion generators (or ionisers) are available in the marketplace to increase the concentration of negative air ions in your home or office. If you plan to invest in one of these, it is best to do some research prior to purchase, as not all such generators are effective. An alternative is to spend some time in your home’s own built-in negative ion generator… your shower! In nature, one of the best generators of negative air ions is a waterfall – the falling action causes electrons to break apart from the water molecules and attach themselves to oxygen molecules in the surrounding air. An indoor shower achieves the same effect, giving a whole new meaning to “washing away the stresses of the day”!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mags - this is really interesting. I have seen those ionisers before but didn't understand the benefits of them until now.

From now on, I'll be taking more showers than baths. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hahaha...you've got me there when I first read the title to your article! I was curious enough to check it out immediately!

Thanks,
Evelyn

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Cath. I love bathing, but do alternate between baths and showers. I find they each leave me feeling refreshed and relaxed, but in different ways!

Anonymous said...

LOL, Evelyn! I wondered if my headline would catch people's attention :)

Unknown said...

Apparently a spider plant can also act as an ioniser.

Anonymous said...

Welcome Kate, and thank you for the information about the spider plant.

I think I'm going to get myself one... I had a look to see what they look like, and not only are they pretty, but they're also apparently very easy to grow!