Afia Naturopathics

Society today lives very differently compared to our ancestors, in some aspects we have improved, but in others, we have taken a turn for the worse. Much of what we do today has shown to be unhealthy, but rather than overwhelming ourselves with a complete lifestyle change, we can start small and take it from there. Whether you are beginning your journey towards better health, or simply want to improve your day-to-day life to optimize your health, here are simple habits that will get you there. 

Replace plastic cooking utensils with wooden ones

We’ve all heard that plastic is bad for us and the environment, but what makes it so detrimental? Plastic is a synthetic material made of chemicals that are toxic to our bodies. One of the main chemicals that are associated with plastic is PFAS (also known as forever chemicals) which is known to affect fertility and reproduction, it compromises the immune system, and disrupts hormone balance which in itself causes a myriad of health complications so ditch your plastic cooking utensils for metal or wooden ones. 

Stop drinking tap water and invest in a water filter 

Tap water in the US is treated with disinfection chemicals such as chlorine to prevent people from contracting diseases and bacteria from drinking tap water. However, these disinfection solutions release byproducts called DBPs that have been linked to certain cancers, and there is clear evidence that they also negatively impact fertility and disrupt hormone balance. These DBPs also change the pH of water and make it more acidic. Additionally, tap water contains fluoride which is believed to be beneficial for teeth. However, many studies have shown that fluoride, even in low concentrations, affects thyroid functions and disrupts hormone balance. Moreover, tap water contains many other contaminants including heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury, as well as pesticides. Therefore, it is best to invest in a water filter that will help filter out these contaminants and ensure you are staying hydrated without ingesting toxic materials. 

Sunlight before blue light

Hormone health has been mentioned quite a few times in this article but not without reason. Our endocrine system is responsible for regulating our hormones which is important for maintaining a healthy mental and physical state. Things like depression, our mood, weight, and so many bodily functions are controlled by our hormones, thus, to ensure a healthy mind and body, we must have a well-regulated endocrine system. Our hormones are affected by different factors such as diet, exercise, environmental pollutants, sleep, etc. A simple way you can help regulate your hormonal levels is by getting sun exposure first thing in the morning. When your eyes are exposed to sunlight, it signals to your body that it should wake up and be energized by releasing cortisol and serotonin and repressing melatonin. This helps regulate your circadian rhythm which not only helps you sleep better at night but also enhances your health overall given that most of our bodily systems revolve around solar and lunar patterns. 

Swap your synthetic bed sheets for cotton ones 

Sleep plays a vital role in every aspect of our health. It helps boost our immune system, regulates our circadian rhythm, improves heart health, cognition, athletic performance, and repairs our body in preparation for a new day. Quality sleep that is. Most of us count the hours of sleep we get when calculating how rested we are, however, when it comes to sleep, quality is just as important as quantity. One of the major determinants of sleep quality is the bedding on which we sleep. Unlike synthetic materials, fabric made of natural fibers allows for deeper, more restful sleep.

Wear barefoot shoes

Our feet, just like the rest of our body, are made of muscles. As we all know, muscles need to be trained to maintain strength, flexibility, and function, so why not train our feet? Modern shoes are made of soft cushions, arch support, etc. but the reality is that the more support a shoe has, the worse it is for your feet because your feet will learn to rely on that support and use it as a crutch rather than strengthen itself. This will result in more frequent foot and ankle injuries. In addition, most shoes today are narrow and tight around the toes. Although some might not find that to be uncomfortable (because we have gotten used to it), it is abnormal and harmful for our feet to be constricted most of the day and not be able to move in their normal range of motion. Luckily, some companies have designed shoes that mimic the feeling of being barefoot to help train our feet to improve their strength, flexibility, and balance.