Living a natural life is a good way to healthier, and also to be more eco-friendly. Most of us are interested in being conscious of the health of our bodies, our minds and the world as a whole, but it can seem overwhelming to change our lifestyle.
The best way to be more natural is to make small, incremental changes in your lifestyle that all add up to a significant impact over time.
The following are some of the first and easiest steps you can take toward a natural, organic life.
Start with Hair and Skincare Products
The things we put on our hair and skin are some of the top sources of exposure to toxins for many of us, and they’re a good place to start if you want to revamp your life and move towards more organic goals. Look for organic hair products and skincare that uses limited and naturally-sourced ingredients whenever possible.
It’s important to learn to read labels and look past marketing to find options that truly are made with natural materials. Surveys have shown that the majority of products sold commercially have at least one highly toxic chemical, which is why this is such a pivotal starting point.
Grow Your Own
You might not have the time or space to grow all of your produce, but if you want to start small, grow something.
A good thing that even urban dwellers can grow are herbs, and then you may find that you enjoy the process and you want to branch out to do more growing.
Shop Smart for Organic Food
Organic food is often more expensive than it’s non-organic counterparts, which can be off-putting for people who are focused on their budget, but there are ways to make it work even when you don’t want to spend a lot.
First, buy produce that’s in-season, because it will be significantly less expensive than off-season items. If you find a great deal on organic produce, pick it up in bulk and then freeze it or can it for later, and consider buying directly from farmers instead of grocers because they may offer better deals.
You can also cut down on meat because organic beef and other meat can be pretty costly.
As a side note, many big name retailers do have their own organic food and product lines which can have lower cost options, so don’t overlook these. For example, Target has the Simply Balanced line, which features items that are organic and free of certain harmful substances.
Choose Clothes Carefully
Finally, one of the most often overlooked ways to have a more natural lifestyle is to choose the right clothes. Organic clothes, as well as bedding, are good for the environment and good for your skin. They also tend to last longer because they’re made from durable, natural fabrics.
This is better for everyone in the family because not only do organic and natural clothes tend to withstand more wear and tear, but no one is being exposed to the toxins that are often found in the fabrics and materials used to make “fast fashion.”