WARNING: You May Steal From Your Bestie's Yard Tonight...And Petition Your Company After Reading This post!

(I don’t often share personal anecdotes, but this was too timely not to.)

My daughter’s pre-school announced potential plans for re-opening with new precautions in place. While a few seemed odd the glaring more questionable change is the new more aggressive cleaning plan they are promising with the “recommended cleaning products”.

Liv already goes to school (since moving to FL) with bug spray + sunscreen on nearly every day + every time a child’s diaper is changed, there’s a can of aerosol Lysol not far behind being liberally sprayed.

While I of course love that there’s a focus on cleaning + minimizing illness, these “recommended” cleaning products are destroying not just Liv’s immunity but the teacher’s + of course the other toddlers in the room. So with that said, I’m sorting out how to move forward in good conscious.

These pre-school guidelines got me thinking about last week’s newsletter - regarding your immediate environment (personal care products cleaning + home products).

Is your home clogged with indoor pollutants?
Is your office space you’re returning to being cleaned with harmful chemicals each day?
What about your child’s school?
We know chemical toxins from personal care products (makeup, hair, soaps, injectables) and cleaning products damage our fertility, brain function, mood and our immunity.

What do you have immediate control over to save your own immunity and those of your loved ones?

Let’s go back to your house…

Your front door is the barrier for chemicals seeping into your safe sanctuary so we focused last week on swapping out personal care + cleaning products that can wreak havoc on your immune system, brain function, sleep, and mood. Since all we do (or are asked to do) is clean, disinfect, sanitize and stay home, cleaning is top of mind, AmIright?!

The #1 Tip I give to every single client focusing on immunity, is to start being more mindful about what you drag through the door: Take off your shoes and wash your hands. By making your house a “shoe free zone” you’re removing thousands of toxins.

A study was done by the University of Arizona on footwear and the bacteria we carry on the average shoe. Researchers found 421,000 units of bacteria on the outside of the shoe, including E. coli (leading cause of UTIs), meningitis and diarrheal disease, as well as pneumonia. Read the 3-minute scoop here.

Alright, now that you’ve cut the toxins being tracked into your sacred space, let’s boost your indoor air.

I’m talkin’ houseplants.

You’ve got a cheap, easy way to get rid of toxic chemicals lurking in your home. In 1989, NASA scientists tested houseplants for their ability to remove one such chemical, formaldehyde, from the air, and one of the authors, B.C. Wolverton, published the findings in a book titled How to Grow Fresh Air.

TIP: Before you head out to the local greenhouse, ask your friends for any clippings or root cuttings. “Not only are they free, but it’s also difficult, if not impossible to find organically grown houseplants. Greenhouses (or your local big box store) are breeding grounds for aphids and other plant pests, and as a result, growers commonly use herbicides and fumigants.” (Emily Main)

Houseplants aren’t just good company (especially these days), they’re excellent for your health! “As they photosynthesize, they release oxygen. The moist soil adds humidity to dry indoor air, while their leaves help to filter out toxins, like formaldehyde and benzene. There’s also less tangibly, the emotional benefit of surrounding yourself with beautiful living greenery, of nurturing life.” (Tovah Martin)

Finding plants that clean the air could make your lungs healthier + put you in a better mood. Win-win!

Here Are The Top 3 Houseplants To Do (SOME OF) Your Dirty Work.

PEACE LILLY:

I’ve been an avid ✌🏻Lily fan since I decided I was responsible enough for keeping a plant alive. They’re extremely hard to kill, but the very best part beyond their invincibility + white seashell blooms, they’re one of the best plants for removing formaldehyde, benzene and certain VOCs that are emitted by harsh cleaning products (making it an awesome option for your office too, if your maintenance staff isn’t using green-cleaners). Just be aware that their leaves can be poisonous to pets + children, so it may not be your best choice if you have adventurous pet or children eaters in the home.

BOSTON FERN:

This plant removes more formaldehyde than any other plant! They’re also highly efficient at removing other air pollutants like benzene + xylene (these both migrate indoors if you have an attached garage as they’re components of gasoline exhaust).

ENGLISH IVY:

It’s an effective formaldehyde remover. It’s super easy to grow indoors but become unruly outside. Easy to form into a decorative element in the home. It likes part sun and part shade, and not as temperamental as Boston Ferns. Occasional watering + misting during winter keep it healthy.

Invite someone you love to wellthier wednesday by sharing this link.

Thank you continuing to support + follow along with wellthier wednesday. By taking even a small action to improve your environment + air quality imagine the changes it could have on your well-being!

Be sure to thank yourself for taking a moment to focus on your most important asset - you.

Remember: By just noticing what's safe + healthy and what's not, you'll be able to make better choices for you and your family's well-being.

With love + gratitude,
Laura