10 Quick Tips to Save the Planet and Your Health
By Cynthia Perkins
Many of the common, everyday chemicals
in your home can contribute to not only harming the environment
but your health as well. Symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal
disturbances, anxiety, depression, nervousness, fatigue, irritability,
inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, joint and muscle pain
and many more can be the result of these chemicals.
Make every day Earth Day! Protect
the environment and your health by making the following changes
in your lifestyle.
1. Eat organic.
Pesticides, herbicides, etc., poison the soil, water, air and
your body. They are linked to contributing to serious health problems
including cancer, depression and central nervous system disorders.
2. Use non-toxic and natural
household cleaning products.
Most everyday cleaning products are very harmful to your health.
Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, lemon and vinegar are great alternatives
and can be used for just about anything.
3. Wear only natural clothing
fibers and organic clothes, if possible.
Synthetic fibers and non-organics are treated with high levels
of formaldehyde and even petroleum. About $3 billion is spent
on pesticides for cotton fields each year worldwide, with over
600,000 tons of pesticides and chemical fertilizers on U.S. cotton
fields alone.
4. Throw away your perfume
and cologne.
They contain chemicals contributing to asthma, central nervous
disorders, immune dysfunction
and a variety of other health problems.
5. Use natural unscented
laundry soap and fabric softener.
They also contain chemicals contributing to asthma, central nervous
disorders, immune dysfunction, etc.
6. Use non-toxic alternatives
for pest control.
Pesticides are poison, designed originally for chemical warfare
because they are so effective for poisoning. As mentioned above
they are linked to a variety of serious health problems including
cancer, immune suppression and central nervous disorders.
7. Don’t use air
fresheners.
Just like cologne and laundry products, they contain chemicals
that contribute to immune dysfunction and central nervous disorders.
8. Don’t get new
carpet.
New carpet is high in formaldehyde, benzene and a variety of other
chemicals that can really destroy your health. Hardwood and ceramic
tile are good, healthy alternatives.
9. Use non-toxic and all-natural
personal health care products.
Shampoos, makeup, body soap, deodorant, feminine napkins, tampons,
etc., usually contain many of the same harmful chemicals mentioned
above in colognes and laundry.
10. Don’t
use bleach or chlorinated household products such as paper towels,
toilet paper, coffee filters, etc.
Scientific studies have linked chlorine and chlorination by-products
to cancer of the bladder, liver, rectum and colon as well as heart
disease, artheroscelrosis, anemia, high blood pressure and allergic
reactions. Bleach alternatives and unbleached products can be
found at your local health food store.
And don’t forget to recycle
to help save resources and reduce space in landfills, and buy
recycled products as often as possible to encourage recycling.
© Cynthia Perkins
Cynthia Perkins, M.Ed., is an author
and holistic health counselor providing alternative solutions,
life management and support for individuals living with chronic
illness or chronic pain. She is also author of the inspirational
e-Book Finding Life Fulfillment When Living With Chronic Illness
-- A Spiritual Journey. Subscribe to her free monthly newsletter
for inspiration, advice and support: www.holistichelp.net/
or send any email to this address to subscribe to the free newsletter
Holistichelp-subscribe@topica.com.
