Detoxify Your Environment

A question I am asked constantly is "Do you think I need to go on a detox?" Obviously my answer is dependent on who I am talking to. In my opinion most of us need to become more aware about what contributes to our toxic load and rather than doing a short term detox, we could all benefit from lifelong daily practices that detoxify our system and contribute to abundant health.

Have you ever stopped to think about the role your environment plays in your health and wellbeing?

• Do you live inner city or near a busy road?
• Do you drive to work in heavy traffic?
• Do you spend most of your day in an air conditioned or heated environment?
• Do you use a computer or VDU daily?
• Do you work with chemicals or use them to clean your home?
• Do you open your house up daily to allow fresh air to flow through?

Everyone I know would answer yes to one or more of these questions. Even those people who devote their lives to 'clean living' and 'clean eating' will still be exposed to environmental pollution in one form or another. Last week we focussed on eliminating accumulated toxins through the skin but protecting yourself against toxicity in the first place is super important.

My top 3 tips for detoxifying your environment are listed below. These are simple measures we can all take and incorporate into our lives to ensure we reduce the toxic burden we place on ourselves.

1. Improve the air quality in your home/office: Open the windows or doors in your home for at least 20 minutes every day. This will allow for the air to be exchanged with the air outside. This will decrease the levels of pollutants and stale air, ensuring better air quality and humidity levels. I often sleep with my window or balcony door slightly open, or I simply open things up as soon as I wake up (regardless of the weather where possible).

2. Cleaning products: I urge you to consider what is in the products you use to clean your home. Why not try some of the following harmless options:

• ½ cup of white vinegar in hot water for cleaning tiled floors
• Bicarb soda is great for cleaning stainless steel, chrome and enamel
• Fresh flowers or home-made pot-pourri with a drop of essential oil instead of air fresheners
• Salt is great for cleaning sinks and chopping boards
• Clean toilets with a cup of baking soda (let sit for an hour) then add 1 cup of vinegar

3. Reduce your exposure to radiation: We all expose ourselves to radiation daily but it is possible to reduce your exposure:

• Whenever possible, turn off your VDU (visual device unit)
• Place a packet of Epsom salts in a cardboard box in front of your computer screen to absorb emitted radiation
• Try a digital detox — devoting technology-free time to yourself daily
• Keep green plants around your home/workplace
• Get up and move away from your screen often
• Don't use electric blankets — use a hot water bottle instead!
• When in bed, do not have a clock radio or mobile phone near your head

Look out for my next blog post on the role of our emotions and attitudes on our toxic load.

Meg :)