Simple Ways to Detox Your Space
We’re bombarded in today’s world with insane amounts of environmental toxins and pollution. BPA/phthalates, tap water, MSGs, paraffin candles, cosmetics and personal care, industrial vegetable and seed oils, noxious laundry and dish detergents, shopping receipts, polyester textiles… crunchy hippie mom influencers everywhere have said it all, and many people are even pushing back against the neurotic tendencies that come easily with “detox” life.
The truth remains that if you want to experience life more fully, one of the easiest and low-fuss things you can do is to simply quit using toxic products within your control. I was raised relatively low-tox, but when I made more conscious decisions into my 20s, my intuition skyrocketed, and now I have the drive and focus to create the full life I want because I have more energy and my cells are happy. Toxic mainstream lifestyles are getting so many people I know sick, but healing begins when we release all the junk holding us back. Our bodies come equipped with everything we already need to detox on a daily basis, so aside from possibly consulting a professional, simply remove the offenders, improve your whole food nutrition to support this natural detox, maybe visit the sauna or move your body/sweat daily, and breathe.
Not everyone has the time, energy or money to invest in low-tox products, but if you care at all about your (and your friends’/family’s) well-being and the endless possibilities your life can have, you’ll prioritize what matters most and helps you reach your health, wellness and life goals. The marketers’ war on your dopamine in sterile, isolated environments is very real, and social pressure can also be a factor in decision making, but I hope you can use this guidance to see the benefits of the alternatives, all the freedom and benefits of more natural living, and protect and ultimately free yourself.
One thing I’d like to emphasize: I believe that individual, ineffable intuition is more important than studies or science here, though there is undoubtedly value in both. Trust YOURS, consider how this article can be useful to your situation, and ultimately, be confident in thinking for yourself, releasing what does not serve, and making decisions that work for you and make you happy. We live in very different environments with unique histories and biology, and as a part-time nomad, my situations and contexts will be vastly different from yours. Personally, I do not always need the validation of a study to determine how I live my life. Do what is right for you.
Light environment.
Sunrise at Québec City
Without a doubt, light hygiene and circadian biology is the first place to start when it comes to living more in tune with nature. The more research you do, the more you may realise that nearly everything about the modern industrial Western world causes harm to some degree, and artificial junk light, especially at night, is the icing on the cake. There are so many forces that want to keep you caged, numbed out, fearful, and helpless. Today, many people in the West are glued to their computer chairs for long periods of time, indoors and isolated under artificial light, obsessed by images, and extremely online past the sun’s mandate to sleep at sunset hours, susceptible to fear, psychological manipulation and even culty tendencies, causing disharmony and dysfunction.
Long story short: log off, realize your power, make real positive change within your control, reduce the severe detriment of unchecked ALAN (artificial light at night), live with nature’s rhythms, and fix your biology with healthy habits and the power of full spectrum sunlight. Enjoy real life in nature!
Consider if red light therapy may be useful for you, maybe even an infrared sauna if you can access one. This may be especially useful if you’re in the northern hemisphere with long winters like I am from.
Blue light blocking glasses have been so helpful whenever I work on my laptop past sunset. They help preserve my melatonin secretion and help me get properly sleepy at the end of the day. Code ROOTTOSKY will unlock 10% off any of the goods at Block Blue Light, which includes some red light therapy, red bulbs and sleep masks.
A good sleep mask is a total life saver when living in a big city where ALAN runs rampant, wreaking havoc on the mitochondria. I swear by the ones at Block Blue Light - they’re comfy AF and do a great job at blocking out artificial light.
Full spectrum sunlight exposure in naked eyes and as much on the skin as possible throughout the day will amplify detox pathways and much more. It’s life changing. Get more sun.
Home and garden.
There are so many things in a modern industrial age building that can contribute to health issues, like mold, chemical cleaners, overuse of air conditioner, certain paints, unfiltered tap water, and harmful, off gassing VOCs and polyester from things like furniture and mattresses, lack of open windows/fresh air and sunshine, and plastic petroleum carpets. You may not sense or feel the effects immediately (aside from usually mold exposure or chemicals for those who are sensitive/allergic), but they do build up over time and can be a nuisance for those who are more chemically sensitive or who have allergies, including babies and children. The more you stay away from it all, the more you’ll notice how it drags you down when you go back to it. Let’s change the world and change our ways. Reducing what’s within your control, especially things like cleaners that can easily be swapped with healthier and less noxious options, will ensure peace of mind, and a greater awareness can at least encourage you to play outside in the fresh air more often.
Going “furniture-free” is my biggest interior design priority anywhere I move. Sitting on the floor (or on a mat on the floor) and with a low coffee table encourages well rounded mobility and nutritious movement woven into daily life without the degenerative effects and cost of conventional Western chairs. As a graphic designer who works on my laptop, I find this is very important to me.
Life in the Northern Hemisphere with long winters is not easy, and sustainable and healthy solutions will require heart centered approaches and maybe an understanding of biomimicry, earthing, human biomechanics and more. I dream of a grounded (earthed), hempcrete or cob, passive solar, earthship-like structure with a greenhouse and lots of natural lighting where I live with a harmonious, naturally living, magical, small community while contributing skills and growing organic, regenerative food.
These are not currently affiliate links, but they’re the latest eco- and human-friendly solutions on my radar for “natural”, healthier living at home.
Home of Wool - polyester is everywhere today, likely including your pillow. Go for 100% organic cotton with wool filling instead. Another alternative is a Japanese buckwheat pillow which I use at my home base, made of 100% organic cotton and filled with buckwheat hulls. I’ve had it since 2016—it’s very comfortable and provides great support.
Oko Living organic, plant-dyed, natural tree rubber yoga mats (made with zero man-made chemicals, heavy metals, PVC, BPA, binders or phthalates!)
AirDoctor air purifier
Dr. Bronner’s or Green Beaver castile soaps and other personal care alternatives. Castile soap is such a staple in my life, especially when travelling, and I use it for washing dishes, my hands (always so clean and cuts grease and bad bacteria), and even laundry.
Magnetico sleep pads, attuned to the healing regenerative frequency of the earth’s hum/Schumann Resonance
Organic cotton/linen kitchen and bath towels
Reverse osmosis tap water filter for the kitchen, or AquaTru filter (I used to be into the countertop Berkey but the fluoride filters have recently been found to leak aluminum)
Organic, healthy, fertile, regenerative soil for the garden (no pesticides!!!)
Personal care.
Going low-tox remains a vital aspect of health creation. Your scalp is HIGHLY absorbent, as are your armpits, and your hair follicles are an entryway to your system. Studies are proving that what you put topically onto your scalp/hair easily seeps into your brain and can even affect brain function. This can be deemed a cause for concern when we use hair dyes, shampoos filled with chemicals, and anything else you may apply or massage into the head and their potential to be entering the brain chemistry in a similar quantity as if you drank your dye or shampoo. [x]
Infertility, cancers, autoimmunity, hormonal havoc, and dulled intuition are just a few of many things that can result from not being conscious about the types of personal care and cosmetics that you use. Your toiletries should be edible, or as close to edible as possible. My own choices have shifted over the years, and I basically live like a minimalist hippie with a flourishing microbiome who showers (in filtered water) so I don’t actually think I get a chance to emit foul odour, and my natural pheromones shine through. Cleaner deodorants do exist though, and there are many safer product alternatives that can be found at your nearest health food store, rather than at mainstream drug stores.
Primally Pure - I literally don’t wear/need deodorant at the moment, but this would be my first choice if I were in need of some.
Living Libations - I swear by nearly everything available here. I still like the shampoo, but I’ve actually come to be quite sensitive to essential oils in that the scent can be harsh/overpowering when overused.
Organyc organic cotton menstrual pads. Ain’t no way I’m letting conventional dyed, chemical scented and bleached toxic sh*tstorm pads near the nether region, unless in dire circumstances. Organic tampons and silicone cups are also available if you prefer them, but I find pads less fussy, enabling the flow and energetic “detox” of blood more cleanly. These are very comfy, more so than Natracare, though I enjoy those too. There were some excellent organic pads from the Biomarket in Estonia with an amazing leakproof border in the “quilt” pattern, but the brand has escaped me.
Natissy organic reusable menstrual pads. These can get annoying to clean, but can be great if you want to collect blood to nourish the garden full circle.
Scarlet period underwear. Haven’t tried myself, but have heard good things. Can be very helpful unless you’re neurotic about polyester.
Shower water filter. I believe any cheap one is ok, like the generic ones you can easily find through a search online. At the time of writing, this is the best quality shower filter that I know of. Reduce harmful tap water chemicals from getting into your pores, even when travelling (I bring a filter in my luggage!).
Branch Basics soaps and cleaners as well as reusable bottles, the website also has a great educational blog.
Dr. Bronner’s or Green Beaver castile soaps and other personal care alternatives. Castile soap is such a staple in my life, especially when travelling, and I use it for washing dishes, my hands (always so clean and cuts grease), and even laundry.
Bamboo toilet paper or bidets can be a great alternative to BPA-riddled conventional TP if you can access it.
I’m not even very sure I’ll ever have children myself, but this doesn’t mean I won’t still care about my fertility and menstrual cycle. Reproduction remains a core part of keeping the species alive, and fertility remains such a marker of overall health. I do want to be healthy in ways I know how! Fertility extends into the capacity to consciously create, whether it’s giving birth to a newborn, a dream life, or a website like this, mirrored in the health of the soil.
Kitchen.
Ditch any microplastic emitting cutting boards, plastic spatulas, whisks, ladles, plastic bottomed Tupperware, plastic wrap, microwaves, coated rice cookers, non-stick pans (even those claiming to be safe but are still coated). Replace them all with stainless steel, glass (especially safer borosilicate glass), and wood/bamboo that hasn’t been glued. This mainstream toxic kitchen gear causes inflammation, lowered fertility and hormonal changes, and can even contribute to cancers especially as the chemicals and plastic are heated. Safer options:
All-Clad pots and pans (US-made, rather than the ones made in China with mixed metals)
Borosilicate glass pots and pans, casseroles
Carbon steel, seasoned (I love DeBuyer)
Cast iron, seasoned (Lodge is a good brand)
Solid wood or stainless steel cooking utensils
Wooden, solid, non-glued cutting boards
Branch Basics soaps and cleaners as well as reusable bottles, the website also has a great educational blog.
Dr. Bronner’s or Green Beaver castile soaps and other personal care alternatives. Castile soap is such a staple in my life, especially when travelling, and I use it for washing dishes, my hands (always so clean and cuts grease), and even laundry.
Glass Tupperware leftover/meal prep containers (many have a plastic lid, so I compress the food down with a spoon when packing so it doesn’t touch the plastic)
I find good quality ceramic acceptable, like in Dutch ovens, though some may contain lead. Do your research, and just do your best.
Good, non-toxic frying pans can be scarce when travelling. Some influencers carry around an entire pan when travelling, but I wouldn’t go that far. Instead, I avoid the Teflon and coated pans usually offered in hotels/kitchens, and fry my nitrate-free bacon and pasture raised eggs in a plain stainless steel pot. This works decently, especially when adequately heated to avoid residue sticking, just like in a normal pan.
I ditched my family’s microwave back in 2016 and never looked back. Preserving the molecular integrity of the food that goes into my body is important to me, and the microwave is an unnecessary modern, pricey convenience that disrupts this integrity. Growing up, I was advised not to stand too close to the microwave when it was running, which was a smart move, but the food itself is another issue. It only takes a few moments to reheat and stir leftovers in a pot on the stove.
Cosmetics.
I’m feral and wild. I’ve never cared much about controlling my external presentation. Skincare and makeup are a waste of time for me, and it all gets washed off anyway to reveal the real state of health and soul within. I’m lucky to be in a professional sector where I don’t need to be all primped up and presentable. That said, safer cosmetics are great if you like to play around with your image. Cute packaging can be enticing, but don’t fall for it. Read the ingredients, gain the literacy, make informed decisions, and don’t feel bad if you didn’t know any better in the past. The body is smart and knows how to detox with the right daily decisions.
Grass fed/finished beef tallow, lard, duck fat, or virgin cold-pressed coconut oil are virtually free and non-toxic, safe for even babies. Animal fat is especially bio-identical to the same sebum produced by our human skin. At home, I have a perpetual jar of lard in the fridge and it always saves my cracking winter skin, every time! Save some fat from your cooking, good olive oil can even work, or invest in some of the many small makers out there that offer it in jars, like Two of Earth Tallow.
Random thought: In nature, there are no mirrors aside from the reflections on water, so earlier humans probably didn’t have the time to obsess over or monetize how they looked like.
Digital detox.
That’s the way.
The Internet can be fun and very useful, but it’s easy to get caught up in the mood and perception altering effects of social media, various artificially amplified fear-based psyops, the (corrupt) news, and various websites. I think it has even messed with the nervous system of the average person today, contributing to chaos, illness, hate, witch hunts, contagious fear, distrust, control, and dysfunction. We point fingers, we play the blame game, we enable authoritarianism and hierarchy. Of course this doesn’t negate the very real problems in the world today, but all of this accomplishes nothing. It seems that society has gone particularly insane in the past 10 years. All of this drama does nothing but suppress our divine cosmic union with all living things, and hinders our ability to transcend our conditioning and find true inner peace. Whose war are you fighting, and what are you accomplishing with words alone?
For many people in industrial society, it feels good to be “right” and to “correct” others in order to feel safe in the world, especially when the world is perceived as unsafe or if there is a lack of real life community and connection (and there are many corrupt forces that thrive and profit off of this division). This mind virus promotes fear and limited ways of living, creating self-fulfilling prophecies through subconscious beliefs. Addiction to pain, fear, chaos and outrage is real. Take a step back and evaluate how you’re living YOUR life and what goals you’re accomplishing, and you’ll be able to help others in real life within your control.
Affirm: I am here, I am safe, I am full of energy, I can create the reality I want (or insert what you like here)
As Terence McKenna said, nature loves courage. When ideology, combativeness and self-righteousness drive everything you do, you end up missing the value in daily life and all the grey areas and nuances that make growth, movement, co-creation and dialogue adventurous and worthwhile. Yelling or nagging will only make others more defensive and closed off to your ideas. I think the best way to change the world is to first change yourself and be the model, and create the reality you wish to live in while pursuing your life goals and enjoying it. It is our birthright to live in the present moment with a clear and calm mind, sharing our different opinions without fearmongering or reactivity, with adaptable nervous systems and harmonious, respectful relations with open-mindedness, equanimity, enrichment, and expansion. Many things can be true at once, and just because someone has a different worldview/weltanschauung doesn’t mean they’re automatically your enemy.
Real life in the present moment (for me, anyway) is usually pretty safe, civil, harmonious and rather unthreatening, and adjusting to this reality will help life become more fulfilling.
For me, feeling safe in my body with good nutrition and stress management helps me stay grounded and sane in the information age. Healing any trauma and getting back into your own body with a strong gut microbiome will give you psychic protection while actually reaching your goals and staying open to new experiences. The Zen Buddhist concept of beginner’s mind reminds us of all the possibilities this life has to offer. Take a screen-free day to untether yourself from the energy of others, set boundaries, and return refreshed and inspired to offer something positive to the universe and to help others. Maybe head out for a spa day, go to the sauna or hike/swim in nature, purge old energy that does not serve, and nurture your nervous system for the real mark of success: inner peace and freedom to do what you enjoy and make your mark.
If you would rather stay on social media, I would recommend curating the accounts you follow with discernment, and (lovingly) unfollowing any that don’t make you feel liberated, inspired, aligned, and positive. What works for me is to not post any negative, passive-aggressive, condescending or ego-driven comment anywhere. In my heart I know if a comment comes from a place of light or a place of darkness, and I know it is my responsibility to contribute to peace rather than watering the seeds of chaos in this world. We rise by lifting others, and the success of others does not diminish your own light. Be conscious of the energy you put out into the world if you want to genuinely thrive in the present moment and enjoy your life to the fullest potential while finding your people and helping others do the same.
Weed out negativity and drama, don’t give it your energy. Your life is too precious and short. It’s ok to be high maintenance and uphold high standards. Being in your power is an undeniable force, and you’re on your unique path. When you move with love and genuine intentions, you always win.
Artificial blue light is harmful to human health and is implicated, among other things like industrial seed oils, in the drastic rise of chronic issues in younger and younger people. Look at the big picture often, be very conscious of how you spend your time looking at tech screens, and use it all wisely. Including Weston A. Price informed nutrition and ethically sourced animal foods can give you the best shot at optimal mental and whole body health. Get some exercise, too.
For the record, I am not affiliated with any political or other organizations (I don’t even vote), nor any ulterior motives other than freeing myself and helping other humans live a happier and healthier life. My thoughts are my own and are not representative of any employer I’ve had. I can only speak for myself.
I often like to do the opposite. The more soulless the world becomes, the more I embody my soul. The more combative the world becomes, the more harmonious I become. The more artificial the world becomes, the more real I become. In step with Byron Katie’s teachings, I am a lover of reality. I no longer fight against it, because it hurts.
Location, location, location.
The number one thing I consider when moving to a new place is a quiet location with access to natural wild spring water, a good natural light environment, and minimal pollution. I also prioritize easy access to natural bodies of water, whether it’s swimming/cold dipping, or just being able to put my hands in it or even walk by it on a regular basis. Whatever the case, I always go on a morning walk to get my lymph, energy and blood flowing with oxygenation and the vital full spectrum UVA rays from the sun.
What are some of your favourite ways to support detoxification? Let me know in the comments!