I saw my first mosquito of the year the other day. There really should be more of a break between the snow melting and the mosquitoes arriving, wouldn't you agree?
Since you're reading this post, you probably already know you should avoid conventional bug sprays. The ingredients are almost all toxic, and DEET is gaining a reputation as a poison to be avoided at all costs.
Certain agencies encourage an abundance of caution regarding mosquito-borne illnesses. However, the reality is that the insecticides recommended to deal with the problem are actually far more dangerous.
West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the U.S. yet very few mosquitoes carry it. And even if you are somehow bitten by an infected mosquito, your chance of becoming infected and severely ill are around 1%.
So weigh the risks – way less than a 1% chance of illness OR guaranteed poisons in your system?
But even though mosquito bites are more of a nuisance than a health threat, no one wants to deal with mosquitoes or any other biting insects, so what can you do that is effective but also natural?
"Always consult your doctor" – this phrase is everywhere.
We are told to consult our doctors before starting any exercise program, when making dietary changes, when beginning a new supplement or health modality.
Even in my certified natural health professional and certified health coach courses, we were told to use this phrase. In this situation, it wasn't so much because it's actually necessary but more-so to protect ourselves from legal liability.
Now, I'm not denying there are times when you do need to consult a doctor ... but it's NOT all the time!
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You've likely heard of greenwashing – when a company claims to be eco-friendly but actually isn't.
Unfortunately, a similar phenomenon is becoming common in the wellness and beauty industries. I don't know that there is a separate term for this, so I'm going to call it "cleanwashing."
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Sun lamps, also known as light therapy boxes or SAD lamps, are an affordable and simple way to get some of the benefits of sunlight even when you can't get out in the actual sun.
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Cleanses are all the rage, especially at the beginning of a new year when many people are focused on their health and losing weight.
I learned about cleansing and fasting in my health coaching course this past week, and one thing stood out to me.
Cleanses and fasting allow your body to release toxins they have been holding on to. And the important part was that if your body isn't able to eliminate those toxins, they stay in your body. Except now that they're free, they can basically float all over and make you sick.
So here it is, the one thing to know about cleanses:
If you're cleansing, you need to have your avenues of elimination open.
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