When people hear “paleo,” they tend to instantly think about one of two things: cavemen or food. While there is a “paleo diet,” the lifestyle itself goes beyond just food. In every issue of Paleo Magazine, they include a page titled “Paleo Quick Start Guide” which lists six ways to implement the paleo lifestyle. In a nutshell, Paleo Magazine recommends:
- Eating real food (veggies, wild fish/seafood/game, grass-fed meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, and fruit)
- Connecting with others (we are social animals)
- Playing (gym time!)
- Sleep (recover your mind and body)
- Unplugging (self-explanatory)
- Sun exposure (Vitamin D)
All of the ideas mentioned above are directly connected with our innate, primal code. However, there’s something more to consider. It’s true that we want to eat natural food with no added chemicals, but think about the products you use outside of your body and the chemicals from which they are made.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed scientifically, there are theories circulating that aluminum in deodorant could be linked to cancer. There are also a number of studies about household cleaners and how they could potentially cause cancer, too. The chemicals you’re currently exposing yourself to could also be the cause of unwanted skin issues. Opt for natural products and just see if it makes a difference. Furthermore, Paleo Magazine says you should spend time in the sun without sunscreen. I looked further into this and found that sunscreen interferes with the body’s synthesis of Vitamin D. That being said, no one likes a sunburn! So consider finding a clean sunscreen that is made with natural ingredients.
My point is for you to consider removing as many chemicals as possible from your daily life. We cannot avoid exposure to ALL chemicals, right? So take charge of what you can control. Your make-up, cleansers, hair products, lotions, cleaning products, and detergent are all great places to start. Read the ingredient list on your foods, drinks, and products and do your research. If you can’t pronounce it, chances are it’s bad for you.
Try the 80/20 rule. Go for 80% paleo (food and products) and 20% whatever you want. This will give you a realistic approach to converting to a cleaner lifestyle.
