One of the most curious things about our Earth is that it has naturally occurring flows of electrons that are often referred to as electro-magnetic fields. The short name for them is EMF, and they travel through and around the Earth in a direction following that of a pierced earring.

EMFs are all around us because they are a natural part of our planet and they emit very low levels of radiation. This radiation is also natural to the Earth and unavoidable. However, there are additional EMFs that are utilized from the everyday wireless devices we use. Some medical researchers believe that the radiation from the wireless devices deserves extra attention and concern.

The reason for the concern is that some kinds of radiation carry enough energy that they can actually alter the structure of atoms. This changes the atomic structure and can often result in altered abnormal interactions with other atoms. So when DNA is exposed to radiation, it’s atomic structure can become damaged, leading to illnesses such as cancer.

And radiation from EMFs can be of varying strengths. Low levels EMFs are emitted from radios, cell phones, and many wireless devices. Stronger EMF’s are emitted from high tension lines that power most cities. The EMFs that our wireless devices utilize have less energy, and therefore, weaker radiation. But there is still a concern that long term exposure to EMFs can increase the risk of certain types of illness.

Here are some tips to reduce your exposure to EMFs and radiation.

Programmer working

1. Use A Cord

Wireless devices are a constant source of EMF. So the obvious choice is to use the wireless as little as possible and to use a cord instead. Disabling your wireless and using an ethernet cord to connect directly to your internet modem may be a better choice because the signal is traveling through the wire, rather than through the air as an EMF.

Closed laptop with no EMF

2. Disable Your Wireless When You Are Not Using It

Another way to limit exposure is to reduce the time that you are exposed to it. This is a risk management principle that suggests turning off your wireless devices or disabling the wireless capability if you don’t have a need for it. Wireless devices such as cell phones are churning out EMFs because they are working all the time. Powering off your phone if you carry it in your clothing pockets will limit the EMF radiation your body is absorbing through this avenue.

Woman using cellphone

3. Put Distance Between You And The EMF Sources

Many men and women put their cell phones in their front pants pocket. This means that low level sources of constant radiation are bombarding a host of vital and reproductive organs that might become damaged. Others may put their cell phone in their chest pocket of their jacket, dosing the heart with radiation. A few years ago, an episode of Dr. Oz highlighted one woman’s experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age, due to carrying her cell phone in her bra for 4 years. This only adds to reasoning why you should always keep your cell phone in a bag outside of your clothing; Aim for creating distance and include some barriers between you and the device.

When you are speaking on a cell phone, putting the phone close to your ear is moving a source of radiation directly next your brain. Limit damage and maximize distance by turning on the speakerphone option or use the traditional headphones, not bluetooth ear pieces, and hold the phone half an arm’s length away.

The same goes for your wireless router, if it is connected to a modem, your router is similarly giving off radiation. Place your router in a room that is not used very frequently.

Phone in bedroom

4. Limit Time Exposed To Sources Of Radiation

Consideration of where you place wireless devices is important to limiting how much radiation your body absorbs.

If you have a wireless router, a cell phone, smart meters, or any other wireless devices in your bed room, remove those from your bedroom. Place these in separate rooms when you can, in places where you can access them but where they are not directly in your line of sight.

While there are tools out there to still use wireless devices that are meant to protect us, it is often the simpler ones that are most beneficial. When available, use a wired landline, ethernet line, or any other wired device. Even though the wireless tools we have developed are making our lives easier, we have to be cognizant of the risks involved with all the extra radiation.