Want more energy?
Heck ya! Who doesn’t?
Fatigue and low energy levels can be frustrating, preventing us from living our fullest lives.
It’s even more noticeable this time of year when our calendars are filled with family gatherings and holiday activities.
These activities can lead to exposure to chemicals linked to hormone disruption.
Boost your energy level with a non toxic lifestyle, by following the simple tips below.
How is energy level related to chemical free living?
Our energy levels are dependent upon a well-functioning hormone system.
When we are exposed to chemicals that are thyroid and hormone disruptors, it can affect our energy levels.
Hormone System: What is the Endocrine System
The hormone system is called the endocrine system. Here’s the scoop on the endocrine and its daily responsibilities:
This organ system includes glands such as pancreas, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal, and it’s responsible for generating hormones that regulate growth, development, metabolic activities (metabolism), and more.[1]
When our thyroid or other hormones are not functioning properly, our energy levels can drastically decrease.
Our bodies were meant to produce their own hormone levels, and regulate those levels – without the interference of man-made chemicals.
How Energy Levels are Affected
Exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals can trick our bodies into two things:
- Increasing production of hormones
- Decreasing production of certain hormones
In either case, these chemicals cause our bodies to incorrectly function, and cause damage to our cells that are responsible for hormones and cells responsible for communicating with our endocrine system to tell it which hormones to produce, how much, and when to produce them.
This may cause fatigue and low energy levels.
What products have hormone disrupting chemicals?
Here are a few places hormone-altering chemicals are regularly found:
- Food & food packaging
- Furniture – beds, couches, chairs, pressed woods
- clothing – pajamas, shirts, pants (kids and adults)
- sheets & blankets
- toys
- personal care items
- cleaning products
- electronics
- plastics
- packaging
What easy, strategic ways can I live chemical free (and boost energy)?
- Organic food, packaged in glass or bulk. Eating organic food has health benefits. According to a study published in JAMAInternal Medicine, there is a 25% lower overall cancer rate of people eating organic food, most regularly. Look for organic food that’s packaged in glass, cardboard or in bulk bins to minimize exposure to chemicals that leach into food supplies from plastic packaging.
- Clothing and bedding certified GOTS. Clothing and bedding touches our skin day and night. Chemicals from materials, dyes and finishes are off-gassing close to our bodies, causing us to breath these vapors continuously (well, unless we’re naked). Choosing GOTS certified clothes, pjs and bedding can reduce the amount of chemicals we’re exposed to.
- Wooden toys with nontoxic finishes. Choose solid hardwood toys with nontoxic finishes. They typically off-gas fewer chemicals than plastic toys made of oil byproducts and chemicals.
- Natural cleaning products. Switch out chemical cleaners for natural cleaning products. They’re easily found in most grocery stores and online stores. Plus, they’re less expensive! Bonus!
- Electronics on the Greenpeace guide. Greenpeace published a Guide to Greener Electronics in 2017. One of the criteria is how many harmful chemicals are in each popular electronic brand. It’s handy for finding electronics with fewer chemicals.
- Glass,ceramic, solid hardwood (instead of plastics). Whenever possible, choose products made of glass, ceramic or solid hardwood (with nontoxic finishes) instead of plastic. These materials are widely accepted as healthier materials.
Final Thoughts
Making a few simple changes can help increase energy levels. By choosing products that are free of hormone (or endocrine system) disruptors.
Learn how to live a fully organic, chemical-free lifestyle with Organic Lifestyle Made Easy: How to create a chemical-free household one step at a time.
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