When it comes to good health practices, some things never change. Drink water. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise. Get vaccinated. But how many of us have our own theories about how to kill a fever or relieve a migraine?
There are plenty of home remedies and wives’ tales out there, and the last thing this world needs is another one. What we can offer, however, are some recent findings that suggest that your security– especially your home security–may lead to better health.
The Obvious and Less Obvious Benefits of Home Security
Home security systems, at their core, are made to prevent break-ins and the negative repercussions that accompany them. The US Department of Justice found that 27.6% of burglaries occurred when a household member was in the home. Of those crimes, 26% of those present were “the victim of a violent crime.” Residential theft is more common than it seems, and the violence associated with it could be a serious danger to your health.
There is good news, though. One survey of 422 convicted burglars found that “approximately 83% said they would try to determine if an alarm was present before attempting a burglary, and 60% said they would seek an alternative target if there was an alarm on-site.”
Home security is about more than protecting your possessions; it’s about maintaining the well-being of the people you love most. Just like the best health practices are preventive measures, one of the primary health benefits of home security is just that—it helps prevent the need for physical and mental medical care.
Psychology Today also asked sixty-eight victims about the “psychological aftermath of a burglary,” discovering that “in a third of adults, sleeplessness and anxiety lingered four or more months after the break-in.” By helping you avoid break-ins, your home security system can save you hours of unnecessary emotional toil.
Emergency Alert Features
One of the nice features of ADT’s home security system is that it integrates with a personal emergency response system. Though these alert systems are typically intended for aging adults, their application is quite diverse. In fact, several types people can benefit from an alert system, including individuals who live alone or are disabled, who use medication that may cause dizziness, or even families that regularly employ babysitters for young children.
In the case of a medical emergency, even the most qualified babysitter or caregiver can’t do everything. While these folks attend to immediate needs, a personal emergency response system connects with professional resources, such as the fire department or poison control. This feature saves time and provides additional help, increasing the odds of successful intervention and recovery.
Improvement for Mental Illnesses
Another way to prevent physical health issues is to address budding emotional ones. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “anxiety has been implicated in several chronic physical illnesses, including heart disease, chronic respiratory disorders, and gastrointestinal conditions.” Unaddressed stress can lead to anxiety, which creates serious health problems later on.
So how can your home security system help control your levels of stress?
Dr. Deborah Padgett of New York University studied individuals with severe mental health disorders and the influence of independent, secure housing. Though they experienced anxiety in various forms, having a home with specific qualities gave them “the capacity to embark upon identity construction and repair.”
Amongst other things, a home with those qualities “is a secure base [where] people feel in control of their lives.” You may not be able to control the pressures you experience at work, the choices of your parents or partner, or any number of challenging circumstances, but you can feel in control by making your home secure base.
Having a home security system helps create an environment where emotional security can happen as well. “Feeling safe is the ultimate goal of psychotherapy or any other means of self-exploration,” says social worker and therapist Bob Livingstone of MentalHealth.net. Though window sensors and lawn signs aren’t the only solution, they could be a good start to establishing a safe environment that leads to lower stress levels.
Bettering Personal Health through Home Security
Having a home security system in place can safeguard you and yours from a threat on the outside or an accident on the inside. Security systems may not know first-aid, but they can help prevent the injuries associated with burglaries, connect you with professional assistance in emergencies, and help you reduce anxiety-induced sleepless nights.
Feel free to read on to learn how security can enhance your life. Or, explore home ADT home security packages today.
