5 Easy to Implement Habits for Healthier Living
The alarm goes off. You wake up and within 5 minutes you are already going through your daily to do list in your head. You roll out of bed to begin the day, already feeling behind. Mid-morning you see something online about a recall of sunscreen and this reminds you of how badly you are wanting to reduce your family’s exposure to toxins. Already feeling overwhelmed and behind you cannot imagine adding one more thing to your to do list, so to the back of your mind it goes.
We have all been there before, having a goal that you want to achieve but it just sounds too large and overwhelming with the load already being carried. But the truth is, you are capable of doing things to contribute to a healthier lifestyle for your family right now! Here are 5 easy habits and why to prioritize them:
5 Habits to prioritize
- Sleep – Yes, sleep is number 1 on how to start living a lower toxin lifestyle. Prioritizing sleep in your life is vital to everything from thoughts to our hormones. The role of sleep in your life is foundational to healthier living because of the functions it plays in your body and life. PRIORITIZE IT!
- Washing your hands – I am guessing you already do this one, which is a win for you as you are already taking steps to a lower toxin life! All day your hands are picking up toxic chemicals through different places, including receipts and even dust in our homes. The best way to get rid of those toxic chemicals is through simple soap and water hand washing. It is especially important to wash your hands before preparing or eating food.
- Opening windows – Did you know indoor air can have pollutants 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor air? A great way to increase your indoor air quality is simply to open the windows for just 5 minute a day. This will increase your air circulation and let the fresh air in so you can breathe easy!
- Keep your shoes at the door – Your shoes not only carry dirt into your home, but they can also be carrying pesticide residue, lead, and toxic chemicals for parking lots. All of these things will end up on your floor as people walk through the house. As you touch those surfaces these toxins can easily be picked up on your hands, and then get transferred to your face as we continue through our day. Have a shelf or bucket by the door to keep shoes and the germs that come with them contained!
- Breathe – I do not mean just the breath we need to take every day to transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide. I mean taking breaths with the intention to move your belly up and back down (notice I did not say your shoulders). So do it with me right now: roll your shoulders down and back, take a deep breath in for a count of 4 and watch your belly fill with air. Now hold it for a count of 7, release it for count of 8, and watch as your belly deflates. Try to do this at least once a day
These are 5 easy habits you can implement today to move towards lower toxin living. Remember, you are capable of implementing these into your day. Start with one, then add another, and another, and another as you master each one eventually implementing all 5. Start taking steps now to healthier living, and enjoy your happier home as you can sit back and smile about crossing that very important to do off your list!