So You Want to Get Healthy – Is Your Family On Board?

I often hear stories like this:

“We’re trying to rid the house of ants, but while I was looking for a safe, non-toxic treatment, my husband went out and bought an insecticide.

And he sprayed it all over. Am I totally screwed?”

Well, no – hopefully not.

As long as this isn’t a daily thing, or you’re not sleeping in the same room that you sprayed in.

More to the point, this kind of conflict crops up all the time in relationships, and it isn’t always easy to resolve.

The next question, of course – and it’s a reasonable one – is this:

What if your spouse, or significant other, DOES think you’re totally nuts for wanting to eat organic foods?

Or if you want to use only clean, safe toiletries?

What’s a person to do?

These go-to tips should help keep you on track.

 

Choose Your Battles

While it’s important, on the one hand, to stick to your guns – it’s equally important to choose your battles.

In my own home, we have a rule about not wearing shoes in the house.

Why?

It’s a prime means of tracking dirt and chemical toxins indoors.

I’m a stickler for it – my husband, not so much.

Yet a few days ago, I caught myself wandering around the house in my sandals – gasp.

The thing is, slip-ups, or disagreements, are going to happen. Choose what’s most important to you, and stick with it as best you can.

Ultimately, you can only change yourself – not the other person in your relationship. (But you can certainly hope they’re on board!)

By focusing on what’s most important to YOU, you’ve already won half the battle.

 

Start Small

Most days, I make a conscientious effort to pay attention to a lot more than just what I’m eating.

I’m constantly assessing my surroundings – everything from what I’m bathing with, to what I put on my face, and what I’m cleaning the house with (yes, those pesky chemicals lurk everywhere).

And that’s because, in the course of a day, all those little things do add up.

However, I didn’t get here overnight.

And neither will you.

If you try to do everything at once, you’re setting yourself up for failure – almost from the get-go.

For that reason alone, it’s best to start small.

So, let’s first look at what you’re eating.

You’ll want to choose organic wherever and whenever possible – especially if it feels out of integrity to do otherwise!

But even that one decision can feel quite overwhelming.

That’s why I recommend taking a look at the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Clean 15” and “Dirty Dozen” handouts – focusing on the top 12 -15 foods that are most problematic. (I also wrote about this here & here).

 

Hold Yourself Accountable

The best way I know to hold yourself accountable to the choices you’re making, is to have someone on your team who will hold you accountable!

This is especially true if you and your spouse – or significant other – don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on what’s important.

You’re doing this for YOU, right?

So, it’s often best to get the help and support you need from outside your home.

This allows you to stay true to the healthy changes you’re trying to make – even if your family isn’t fully on board.

And if you’re still not sure where to begin – try this.