There's no doubt you've heard the term "toxin-free lifestyle" or "non-toxic living" thrown around over the last few years. It's become a trend, but here's the thing—it's much more powerful than its label. Living without toxins is about making real, impactful changes to protect yourself and your loved ones from the exposures that sneak into our everyday lives.
The truth is, toxins are everywhere. We can't avoid them completely, but let's explore why we should do our best to minimize our exposure and some simple ways to get started.
The Unavoidable Reality of Toxins
Let’s face it—toxins are all around us. They're in the air we breathe inside and out, the food we eat, and the personal care products we use on a daily basis. The number can vary depending on factors such as lifestyle, environment and the products we use, but it's estimated that each one of us is exposed to anywhere from 500-2,000 chemicals on a daily basis.
Think about the dozens, perhaps hundreds of products we use or consume in categories like personal care products, household products, food and beverages. Not to mention, the environmental factors that we face including pollution, secondhand smoke, chemicals from construction and building materials, and in some areas, wildfires or other natural disasters with harmful byproducts.
Living a toxin-free life is not about wrapping yourself up in bubble wrap and staying indoors for the rest of your life. It's about making informed decisions, and minimizing toxins where you can. When you make low-toxin choices with what products you use, clothes you wear, food you eat and other daily choices—you're actively supporting your health. You don't need to keep score, or aim for perfection, just do the best you can, where you can.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by this reality but while we can't eliminate or avoid every toxin some of the areas that we have the most control over and have the biggest positive impact on our health.
Healing Starts on the Inside
Living a non-toxic life isn't all about avoiding the bad stuff, it's also about nurturing yourself from the inside out. When you make the conscious decision to cut out toxins, you're giving your body the chance to heal itself from within. Ask anyone who has transformed their lifestyle and see if they've noticed clearer skin, more energy or an overall sense of heightened vitality when they've made the switch to cleaner products and cleaner food.
When you make the conscious decision to cut out toxins, you're giving your body the chance to naturally unload its toxin burden. Drinking more water, eating whole foods, and getting daily movement in all help assist your body in its natural detoxification abilities. Our bodies were made with incredible systems for eliminating waste and excreting harmful substances. By being mindful of what you consume and use, you're laying the groundwork for a happier, healthier life.
Start Small, Start at Home
If you're completely new to this lifestyle, it's all too easy to get overwhelmed. There's so much information available to us, and can feel like you need to throw away all of your belongings overnight. We don't recommend that to anyone! In fact, the best advice we can give you is this: start small. Focus on what's in your control and start making changes at home.
Start by practicing some mindfulness and take a look at the products you use every day. When your current dish soap runs out, try one of the non-toxic options you've had your eye on! When it's time to replace your makeup, choose a brand that uses clean, natural ingredients. This approach is not only easier on your wallet but also make the transition feel more manageable.
Like anything, if you try to overhaul your entire routine at once you're setting yourself up for failure. Habits become routines over time, and implementing a few new habits at a time will set you up for long term success.
Many have a hard time overcoming the mental hurdle of all of the things they now have to cut out of their lives. Placing too many obstacles in front of yourself is an easy way to be sure you won't follow through. Try this mindset instead: focus on what you're adding in (whole foods, movement, healthier products) and not what you're getting rid of. When you start adding things to your routine, it's going to naturally crowd out space for the habits you want to leave behind.
The Power of Your Choices
We believe that toxin-free living is meant to be empowering. It's about realizing that you have the ability to make choices that positively impact your health. Practicing intentionality with the products that you use and the food you eat, creates a space that supports healing and overall well-being.
Let "toxin-free" be more than just a buzzword in your life, or the latest trend online. Let it be a guiding principle that helps you live with more mindfulness, intentionality and care. Start where you are, use the tools you already have, and make the best choices you can. Your future self will be so grateful you did.
