4 Replacements for more Natural Living

Leading a more natural lifestyle comes with a number of benefits. First off, it is better for the planet. By following a “natural” lifestyle, which is characterized by opting for products and foods free of synthetic ingredients and/or toxic chemicals, we better tend to the earth and reduce the pollutants we unload into the air, water, and soil.

In a similar fashion, our bodies become healthier and more resilient. Fewer artificial chemicals seep into our bodies, be it on our skin, in our stomachs, or somewhere else, and it reduces our potential risk of becoming unhealthy or immune compromised. With natural living comes improved balanced between you and the world – you’re simply living the life humans were built for.

What’s Unnatural?

Before you start to discuss the replacements, it’s important to mean by natural and unnatural. The title can be a bit deceiving at times, especially in the marketplace where it’s not regulated. While it is often misused, the perceived definition of “natural” often refers to an ingredient or product that is derived directly from nature and is not crafted or heavily influenced by human involvement. This means no synthetic chemicals, additives, or artificial flavors. Unfortunately, “natural” is used on products where that might not always be the case.

So if you’re trying to stick to the perceived definition and not the use that some might consider as greenwashing, what do you do?

Number 1. Travel Smart

One of the best ways to start living a more natural lifestyle is to spend less time in an unnatural environment. Make it a point to walk, run, jog, or bike part of your daily commute. In addition to being healthy, it places you closer to the natural world. While this doesn’t necessarily seem to  involve changing a product, it is a recommendation that certainly cuts down on your use of things like fossil fuels. Better for the world, better for you – kick that car for exercise!

Number 2. Location is Everything

Like the first suggestion, making time to engage in nature is essential for a more natural lifestyle. Breathing fresh air helps support clarity and better overall health, and unfortunately, it’s probably not something everyone gets enough of. That said, replace a usual eating, thinking, or relaxing spot and place it outside. Finding a nice place in nature (or somewhere near nature) where you can do a daily task can be an easy way to start transitioning to more natural living.

Number 3. What’s On is In

A major element of natural living is what you use with your body. Tons of soaps, shampoos/conditioners, makeups, lotions, and body scrubs contain synthetic ingredient not conducive toward healthier living. Here, the principle is simple: what’s goes on your body also goes in your body. Start making it a point to replace these unnatural products with more natural ones, which usually use organic ingredients. If you’re not sure, read the back to find out what types of chemicals are in the bottle. If you’re uncertain but you know you enjoy the brand, do a bit of research and find out what you’re putting on yourself!

Number 4. Your Food

Finally, eating natural, “whole” foods is essential for living a natural lifestyle. When it comes down to it, the best way to be sure your food is “natural” according to the common perceived definition, is to choose certified organic foods as often as possible. Free-range and grass-fed are two other good labels to look out for, as they often indicate that a farmer is taking extra good care of their animals. Organic vegetables are often easy to find, but when you can’t, choose those that say non-GMO and/or no synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilizers. This will keep the synthetic stuff out of your system, making you all the healthier.