June Looks at Your Environment

Your Environment Matters...

It is more influential than you may think to be mindful of the surrounding toxins in your life - they are all around us. Whether it be the humans you spend time with, the cleaning products you use in your house or the products you put onto - and therefore into - your body.

Toxins disturb the human body's homeostasis (state of balance). Toxins interfere with the way our hormones communicate and increase the amount of free-radical formation within our cells. As you may know - our cells are our foundation. But I also believe our hormones are too - they are the base of so many of our body’s functions.

Below I have provided some important areas in your life to be aware of to help reduce your body’s toxic load.

1. Detox your household cleaners:
If you’re using chemical cleaning products in your home, it is likely that you’re absorbing them and breathing in toxic-air for much longer than you may think. Using pure household cleaners results in clean air - but yet, still a clean home.
Switching your dish soap, laundry detergent & dryer sheets, household cleaners, and fragrances throughout the house is as important as using clean skincare products. 

• There are also non-toxic companies like ENJO and Norwex that refrain from using chemicals to clean the home - this is usually how I clean my house.
• I also use dryer balls instead of toxin-filled dryer sheets. They work great.
• I have been using, and love the ‘Attitude’ laundry detergent.
• Usually my go-to household cleaner (if I need a deep clean) is vinegar, water and an essential oil blend of choice.
• In the past I have used Seventh Generation products as multi-purpose cleaners. 

 2. Live with plants:
Have plants and grow them! They help purify the air you live in and breathe in. And the joy of watching these guys grow is truly gratifying. I recently read that having plants in your home can also help reduce humidity levels. Plants have been shown to help reduce stress and improve mood and negative emotions. Exposure to fresh, clean air, improves psychological well-being, enhances spirituality , can improve sleep, boosts creativity and lifts energy levels. 

• I began buying and growing plants a couple of years ago. I’ll never turn back. I love my plant babies.

 

1. Open your windows & get outside:

Open your windows frequently (or at least every once-in-a-while) to allow the air to circulate through your home. It is important to ensure the quality of air your breathing is good and clean. The next step to opening the windows in your home is to get outside! There are different physical and psychological benefits of being out in nature, whether it be your backyard, forest bathing or near moving water (rivers, lakes and waterfalls). Have you ever stood near a waterfall and felt simply amazing?! This is a true experience of how nature (running water specifically) can uplift your mood and overall make you feel magical. I encourage you to be aware of this next time you’re outside in nature/on a hike this summer. 

• I love to sit outside on my deck to eat my meals. I get to feel the wind, listen to the birds and watch all the wild animals pass through my backyard.
• Hiking, biking and doing yoga or working out outside are also some of my favourites.

 3. Detox your self-care products: 
Although there are many different aspects to detoxing, our skin has a big impact on this as it is the largest organ of the human body. Detoxing through the skin can be experienced through sweating, acne and skin breakouts. Our skin doesn’t just help us detox but it also absorbs what we put onto (and into) it. This consists of: makeup, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, body wash, face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen and toothpaste to name some basics. Women - this also includes feminine hygiene products!!
Putting toxic products on and into our skin can lead to a number of issues. Toxins can contribute to many issues including hormone imbalances and disruptions, acne, tiredness and sluggishness. I believe it is just as important to be aware of the products you're using on your body as much as you should be aware of the food you’re putting into your body to feed your cells.

If you only choose 1 product to detox in your life, choose your deodorant! Based on what I have learned I think it’s extremely important to change your deodorant to something that allows your armpit to perspire/eliminate. By wearing antiperspirant deodorant we are not only halting the detoxification process  that happens largely through our armpit glands and pores, but we are also encouraging retoxing! There are a lot of glands around the armpit and chest area, so allowing your body to release the toxins through this area is critical. Some people can be sensitive to the baking soda that is used in some natural deodorants - so try a couple of different ones and find what works for you. 
Another way you can encourage the release of toxins through the skin is to dry brush before you shower and also wet brush while in the shower. 
Water, water, water - drink lots of it. You can spice up your water in so many ways - lemon water or infusing it with different fruits, veggies and herbs. It’s so nutritious for your skin and helpful in the detox process. 

Detoxing our bodies is super important for me and I could go on for a while, but this is my summary based on personal-care products. I’ll definitely be posting an entire blog about detoxing your body in the future - so stay tuned.

4. Surround yourself with Non-Toxic People:
​Who are you surrounding yourself with? Do you enjoy their company or do you find them ‘exhausting’ or ‘draining’? 
Over the last couple of years I have learned the importance of being surrounded by people who love you, expand you, accept you and support you. These are the kind of people that will lift you up when you need it, and encourage you to be your authentic self. They will inspire you and motivate you throughout your life. They are your cheerleaders. You need to find your tribe. I encourage you to do this.

Ending a toxic relationship with a friend is hard as hell - I’ve done it (after about a year of indirect consideration). But it was only for my best interest. Sometimes people change and take different paths, and that’s okay. Removing yourself from toxic relationships will allow you to have more good energy and time to invest in YOU. 

Be happy & stay whole.
Taylor Wilkinson, RHN