We return to nature to restore. To rejuvenate. To be inspired. To reconnect. As we walk in the forest, we feel different. We return home feeling calm and more alive. We bring plants indoors to try and mimic the outdoor environments that nourish us. We use cedar and pine essential oils to awaken the spirit of the forest within us.
So, why do we use chemicals in our homes? Where are they lurking? Glitzy marketing and seductive product designs deceptively try to fool us into believing their goods are safe. Why is this so important?
What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in our bodies.
My Transition to Non-Toxic Living
About 13 years ago, in the midst of building my financial planning business, I was also trying to take good care of myself. This was a struggle. I didn’t have the skills and had not yet done my own personal work. But, I was trying. I shopped at Whole Foods, was vegan for a period of time (but missed pizza too much!), settled on being a vegetarian, practiced yoga almost obsessively, went hiking weekly, and tried to regularly get 8-9 hours of sleep a night. Despite all that I was doing, I also felt I was missing a key element of my self-care routine.
During this hectic and developmental time, I started to tune into not only what I was putting in my body, but also what I was putting on my body. I started to question those handy little laundry pods, and the purple color of the dish soap.
I began, slowly, to replace the products in my home, one at a time.
It wasn’t until I moved to the Zen monastery 6 years ago that I took my philosophy of detoxifying my home to the next level. Not only was I going off of intuition, I also started reading labels, researching the extensive list of (toxic) ingredients on products, and questioning. I asked so many questions.
And then – I started making my own products. This is when things got very exciting!
I began making laundry detergent, hand soap, household cleaners, bath salts, incense (from local juniper trees), beeswax wraps, body salves, lip balm, and beeswax candles. Time was, and still is, my only restriction. There are so many possibilities!
Since I was living in community, it was a perfect time to learn how to scale the production of these newfound natural treasurers, and also teach others how to make them.
Although I no longer live in community, I hope to share my experience and enthusiasm with you through Gentle Leaps!
The Immune System & Environmental Toxins
Our immune systems are incredible and complex!
Every moment of every day, our immune systems work tirelessly to identify every substance they encounter. They strive to make the distinction between “me” and “not-me.” If they could talk, they would be like little kids constantly asking the questions – “Are you me?” and “Are you safe?”
If the immune cells deem the substance not to be safe, then an attack is launched. When the innate and adaptive immune responses are triggered, it can result in inflammation.
Our bodies are constantly working to be in a state of homeostasis.
Focusing on the immune system, this means working to be free of “harmful invaders” or pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and parasites, as well as chemicals and toxins. The immune system plays a role in helping to recognize and clear toxins from the body, and works vigilantly to address the underlying causes of inflammation.
These environmental stressors can tax our immune system. If eliminating the amount of toxic products in our home can reduce the stress on our immune system, why wouldn’t we do it?
It’s also important to note that repeated exposure to chemicals and toxins can trigger autoimmunity. These substances can be found in household products, body-care products, the water supply, pesticides and herbicides in foods, cleaning products, pollution, and more (Trescott & Alt, 2016).
Why are non-toxic products important?
Our skin is our largest organ. It is a semi-permeable membrane that absorbs some of the compounds it comes in contact with.
So take some time to understand what ingredients make up the products you use to moisturize your skin, clean your clothes that lay upon your skin all day, wash the dishes you eat off of, and are released from the candle burning in your bedroom. A helpful resource is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website which scores products based on known effects of every ingredient.
This process takes time. While swapping out your products for natural ones or (ideally) homemade can be expensive, it doesn’t have to be.
Making your own laundry soap for example is incredibly inexpensive – the cost for 2.5 gallons of my homemade laundry soap is $2.25 versus the same amount from Seventh Generation costs $36! It also uses only three ingredients – castile soap, washing soda, and borax. Also, I know exactly what ingredients are inside, and I’m reducing waste by not purchasing the plastic containers. Win!
Practical Steps:
- Pull out all of the household products from the cabinet and set them on a table. This gives you a visual of what is going on in that dark cabinet under the sink. What do you find? What colors are the products? Are those colors you would find in nature? How does it feel to see them sitting there together? Marie Kondo is a master at this with her KonMari method – following this, you could ask yourself, “does this spark joy?” Or I would add, “is this necessary?”
- Read the ingredients. Take a look at the ingredients on the back of each container – are you familiar with them? Many ingredients found in common household products have been classified as carcinogenic. For all you researchers out there, check out the Household Products Database from the US Health Department of Health and Human Services for more info.
- Pair down on the number of products you use and get rid of any duplicates. Is it really necessary to have 4 different types of cleaners that are designed for similar tasks? Instead try using just one multi-purpose cleaner (or make your own) to use for your whole house.
- Consider making your own products when possible. This can save you a lot of money! It is also eco-friendly and a step in moving toward a zero-waste lifestyle. Check out the Mindful Practices page on non-toxic home for recipes.
I would love to hear about your experience with going through your pantry, replacing and reducing products, and even making your own! Remember, it’s not about getting rid of everything all at once. And certainly not about “shoulds.” It takes time. Gentle Leaps friends!
Sources:
The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook, Trescott & Alt, 2016
Nutritional Therapy Association Course Content, 2018
Household products database, US Health Department of Health and Human Services
US National Library of Medicine
How to Start a Meditation Practice