My Journey Towards a “Low Tox” Life — SOPHIE SANDERS

WHAT IS A “LOW TOX” LIFE?

The term ‘low tox life’ was coined by Alexx Stuart, educator and now author of Low Tox Life who has created a positive movement that’s all about making better choices for your health and the planet.

With “low tox” living, it aims to eliminate the harmful chemicals that litter our everyday existence whilst promoting a sustainable and rewarding way to live. From skin care and cleaning products to cookware and bedding, no area is left untouched.

BACK STORY

For the past 2 years, I’ve been working towards a “low tox” lifestyle – reading labels, googling and replacing certain products that contain chemicals like parabens, pthalates etc

Living the la vida “low tox” is definitely a la vida loco. It’s something that never crossed my mind in my 40 years of living. I'm a girl who loves among many things – her Bath and Bodywork body lotions and Annick Goutal perfume and the thought of giving up what gives me a joy was definitely a struggle.

So I was pretty resistant, which is not new, because who likes change? One – I couldn't see the impact the chemicals were having on me. (and the only people I knew doing “clean” living are my friends who do essential oils).

Two-I thought it would be an expensive undertaking (it's not). 

Three – I was worried that my husband wouldn't be onboard (but we came to a compromise on a few things).

Four – I was afraid of feeling overwhelmed and not being able to see this through the end. (yet, anything is possible, right?)

And then, l we watched this scary documentary on Netflix: “Kiss The Ground” –  about pesticides, which got my butt moving.

But the idea of going “low tox” actually came to my attention when I started IVF treatment about 3-4 years ago.

THE FERTILITY CONNECTION

As most of you know, I got married at a ripe old age of 40 and I was looking for natural ways to boost my fertility chances and I read in some fertility blogs that we should avoid toxins from the very start of my IVF journey; as they are endocrine disruptors. 

Our bodies are regulated by a system of hormones and glands —called the endocrine system—which affects our development, metabolism, and behavior.

The bad news is that synthetic chemicals in products like plastics and fragrances can mimic hormones and interfere with or disrupt the delicate endocrine dance. We’re exposed to these chemicals daily, and we’re especially vulnerable to them during phases of accelerated development—in utero and throughout childhood.

At that time, I wasn't sure if it would help. I mean I knew the science was there but my fertility doctor told me not to worry about it. And well, I already had too many things on my plate. I was busy with doctor appointments, acupuncture, injections, consuming copious amounts of fertility supplements; and in general, trying not to be stressed.

So this begged the question of would I have gotten pregnant earlier, if I overhauled my lifestyle before trying to conceive?

The answer is I don't really know. It's like they say IVF is not the cure for infertility. Other women have babies and they didn't do one single thing different. They didn't change what they ate; or what they use.

My conclusion (not evidence based) is that since everyone DNA's make-up different, toxins affect our bodies differently. And genetically we are all different, even we eat the same food, breathe in the same air.

I don't regret the decisions I have made, because I trusted that the path that I was on was the right one at that point in time.

Plus researching for product alternatives became a (good) form of distraction from baby-making and it gave me control over one part of my life that I had no control over.

THE AHIMSA Practice

I also realised that choosing to go toxin free aligns with a yogic philosophy of Ahima, of not causing harm (in action, words or thoughts) to ourselves and thus others.

Chemicals and toxins are harmful right, even if we don’t see it?

Another way to look at Ahimsa is from the perspective of compassion. I’ve been working on self-compassion, being curious and not be judgy of the stories I tell myself because it can be harmful, especially if its not true.

So I’m learning to stop judging myself for the choices I’ve made for the things I put on my skin, and to just be okay with it.

My BIG WHY

Concern over the impact that toxins have on my fertility and body did prompt this journey into “low tox” living, but at the end of the day, my WHY has to be bigger than that in order for it to be sustainable for me.

From the yogic perspective, going low-tox puts me on the pathway towards peace and blissfulness for myself and the world.

That has been my lifelong goal, to find peace in everything that I do, and making better choices for my health and my planet is just one of the many ways that will help me find peace in my heart.

It seems a bit noble, even for me, but it is what it is. The planet is already suffering, and the people living on it.

One thing I remembered from the documentary – Kiss the Ground that the impact of pesticides doesn't happen overnight; it's over seasons, years, and it's generational.

If I can do my part by doing my bit to reduce toxins in the world, by doing this “one” thing, why not?