Natural Living: Ultimate Guide for Busy Moms

Natural living has many benefits and in this article you will learn what they are and how to start living more naturally.

When people think of natural living, especially if they are not currently practicing a simple, natural living lifestyle, they might think it means living secluded somewhere in a forest, living off the grid and land, and not partaking in modern comforts or technology.

Not going to lie, sometimes that life sounds lovely, but it’s not necessarily the only way to practice natural living. 

What does natural living mean?

Natural living means doing what you can to connect to the Earth and, in turn, yourself.

The first step is to figure out precisely what natural living means to you personally and how it fits into your life. Then, take some time and think about ways that you can implement it daily. 

Living a natural life needs to be appealing to you because the more excited and determined you are about making changes, the more likely you will stick with it.

Luckily there are a lot of benefits to a natural living lifestyle, so these alone might make it worthwhile for you.

What are the benefits of natural living?

There are many benefits proven by the research when it comes to natural living.

• Increase in peace
• Calmer lifestyle
• Increase in attention span
• Less stress
• Better self-control and awareness
• Increase in feelings of happiness
• Healthier mental health

Here’s another incredible benefit (to all!) of natural living for the entire collective of humankind. Natural living helps people get along with each other better. 

For example, people who live a holistic lifestyle often get more exercise, which leads to fewer stress levels. And when someone gets less stressed, they are less likely to argue with others or feel anger towards things around him/them. 

A calmer life naturally leads to healthier relationships at home, school, etc.

How do I live a more natural living life?

So, now that you know the benefits of natural living and what natural living is, let’s talk about how you implement natural living into your life. And how you can make it fun to live a more simple, natural living life.

At first, it might feel like too much to do everything, but that’s ok. You can choose one or two of these to do. You most certainly do not need to do all.the.things to live a natural life. Take it one step at a time.

1) Practice mindful eating

Do you find yourself snacking too much, or perhaps you are always mindlessly munching on something? This is so easy to do as a busy mom! If you know you do this, you’re not alone. A lot of people do.

But, you may want to take a look into mindful eating. Mindful eating is the practice of being aware of what enters our body and how it affects you. So often we forget about this part simply because we are trying to survive the day at work/school/family life/etc.

When you start paying attention specifically to your food, you’ll soon realize what natural foods will satisfy your hunger for more extended periods without having the desire to eat more after every meal.

You’ll also find yourself eating differently as you incorporate mindful eating practices. It tends to make eating more intentional.

2) Move your body

I like taking an intuitive approach to moving my body. And I invite you to listen to your body and move it as it desires.

For me, natural living includes walks outside, just as much as it includes lifting heavy at the gym. I gain, naturally, from the endorphins in my body whenever I move it in a way I enjoy.

For you, it might mean yoga, or weightlifting, maybe tennis or skating. But, whatever it is, make it a priority to give your body the movement it needs as naturally as possible.

3) Spend time in nature

There are many benefits to spending time in natural surroundings, both physical and mental. So when you feel frustrated or stressed out, consider heading outside to spend some time in your natural surroundings. 

You may come up with many inner solutions while sitting near water or on the grass. Besides, the natural world is full of raw power and beauty, inspiring when looking for natural ways to express yourself and connect with your authentic self.

4) Use sustainable brands

Did you know that natural living can extend to your beauty products? It may be easy to reach for the natural products aisle in the supermarket, but natural products aren’t always what they seem. 

Here are some tips on how to choose natural brands wisely.

Read the ingredients lists carefully

Have they ever heard of petroleum-derived glyceryl stearate or aluminum-magnesium hydroxide sulfate? These chemicals which mainstream beauty brands use sound like natural ingredients, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not exactly true. It is essential to read the ingredient lists carefully if you want natural skincare because there are a lot of hidden chemicals disguised as natural in today’s beauty market.

Check where the ingredients come from.

Following the natural ingredients list, you should also consider where the ingredients come from. For instance, some natural products contain natural minerals, but they’re gathered by underpaid workers who work in hazardous conditions. In this case, opt for natural brands that have a transparent supply chain policy.

Opt for natural brands with alternative preservative systems.

Natural preservatives include grapefruit seed extract and green tea extract, which are sustainable options because they can help preserve natural products without compromising safety or efficacy.

Make sure that the products you use for natural beauty align with natural living. This will undoubtedly require you to get to know ingredient lists.

Make your cleaning products.

We all want our homes to be clean and tidy, but you also want them to be natural. I’m sure if you’re like me, you don’t like the idea of exposing your family to chemicals that may cause problems with their health down the line. This is one of the reasons why I often make my cleaning products.

You can make your natural cleaners by following some essential recipes:

General All-Purpose Cleaner

• One cup water, 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 10 drops of Lemon Essential Oils
• 2 teaspoons liquid castile soap

Mix and add to a spray bottle. This mixture is suitable for everyday use on both hard surfaces and soft furnishings such as sofas, drapes, and carpets, as well as toys and laundry stains.

Natural Homemade Dish Soap

• 1 cup of water

• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oils

This is good for washing up plates and cutlery and leaves your hands smelling lovely too.

If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, add a few more drops of essential oil in each bottle or container to mask the smell. You can use other essential oils in your natural cleaners: tea tree, cedarwood, lemongrass are all excellent options for reducing bacteria in your home.

Lemon All-Purpose Cleaner

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• 1/4 cup lemon juice concentrate

This mixture is excellent for general cleaning inside the home, and since it’s concentrated, you can mix up smaller quantities as required.

So there you have three simple recipes for making natural cleaners that smell great and are a better alternative to those harsh chemicals found on supermarket shelves today. 

Say goodbye to artificial smells inside the home – let nature cleanse instead!

And if making your own cleaners is not for you, you can also buy natural cleaners from natural shops or online.

5) Practice radical self-care

Practicing radical self-care can help you get back to yourself and connect deeply with who you are.

Radical self-care is about you taking the time to do things that make you feel good, and you’re doing it for your own wellness. It’s the concept that self-care is not being selfish but being generous to others, since the more you care for yourself, the better you feel, and it benefits your family.

Being able to take care of yourself in natural ways can be beneficial for everyone else around you. And radical self-care can be done in simple ways. 

Here are some tips on how to practice natural living even while having a busy schedule:

Drinking plenty of natural water may sound too simple to be radical self-care, but it’s great for the body. From improving the flow of bile, so toxins are removed from cells to flushing out harmful chemicals, natural water flushes out all sorts of nasty stuff.

Water also hydrates the body, so it has enough natural energy to function every day.

Getting good sleep is also very important, even when one has a busy schedule. Not getting enough sufficient sleep can affect the body’s ability to fight off infection and stay healthy in general. 

It can even cause problems like no energy or even depression. 

Adults need a minimum of seven hours, and science has shown that getting less than this can be hurtful to you in the long term. 

Natural living is going to sleep early and waking early. And it’s good for your overall health.

Exercise is one natural way to keep the body healthy, and natural movement is essential. Natural movement can aid blood flow throughout the whole body, both to and from the heart.

Movement also strengthens the immune system and improves coordination and balance. These are some benefits that people can get if they practice natural living by practicing natural movements like yoga every day.

You can find ways to add natural living in your busy life since there are plenty of ways to do so, even without changing too many things in your daily lives.

For example, taking natural baths regularly, drinking natural water, eating natural food, and doing natural exercises are great ways to maintain a natural living.

These tips can help people live a more natural life even while they have a busy schedule.

6) Utilize a gentle parenting style

Children who are raised with positive discipline are better behaved, have more friends, and are happier. By utilizing natural parenting techniques, you will increase your child without using negative reinforcement or punishments. These instincts for children to want to behave well make these gentle parenting strategies effective. 

7) Use natural, green beauty and bath products.

There is a growing natural health movement in the United States, seen in everything from natural food items to natural cleaning supplies.

However, natural personal care products are also becoming increasingly popular because of their ability to nourish your skin without potentially harmful chemicals.

Here are my top three natural beauty and bath shops that you might want to check out for yourself.

Credo Beauty: Imagine a Sephora that only carries non-toxic beauty and bath brands? That’s Credo Beauty. I absolutely adore this shop and its dedication to providing natural, non-toxic products that align with natural living. You can get everything from lipgloss to full-face makeup, skin care, bath products, and more.

Annemarie Skin Care: Imagine being in a natural kitchen, whipping up natural bath and beauty products, and lavishing in all their goodness. This is what it’s like to use Annemarie Skin Care products, except that instead of you making them, they are perfectly and lovingly made for you! Not only do I love Annemarie Skin Care herbal-based products, but so does my teen daughter.

Etsy Handmade Natural Bath and Beauty: I could spend a day just shopping at Etsy, but one of my favorite things is shopping Etsy’s selection of handmade natural bath and body beauty products. I’ve gotten everything from natural eye cream to a pregnancy balm.

8) Go paperless in the kitchen and dining room.

One of the best ways to help yourself and the environment is to eat natural and organic foods and reduce your paper use. I’ve done a paperless kitchen and dining room for years and years and it’s really easy to get started.

There are many natural and organic substitutes for your daily use of paper items such as toilet paper, napkins, tissues, and even kitchen towels. For natural toilet paper, try using washable cloth.

Kitchen towels can easily be made of old worn cotton clothing that you don’t wear anymore or cloth scraps cut from old jeans or other durable pants with a bit of sewing know-how.

Instead of buying premade napkins, which are often bleached white, make your natural version by cutting old T-shirts into squares the size you want. Make natural napkin rings from natural materials such as gemstones or wood.

To reduce paper waste, you can use natural and biodegradable cups for your hot drinks instead of using disposable coffee cups. Straws made from natural products such as corn starch are available at natural foods stores and online.

You could try cotton lunch bags instead of plastic sandwich bags for school lunches or storage or carry a reusable cloth bag for shopping. Instead of buying plastic wrap to cover bowls and plates in the fridge, use natural beeswax wraps that can be washed after each use.

You can make natural substitutes for your cleaning supplies by mixing baking soda with vinegar to clean your dishes, soaking your clothes before laundering them, making all-purpose natural cleaners and natural oven cleaners.

9) Get to know your local herbs.

Herbs have been used as natural remedies for thousands of years. The use of herbs dates back even further than that, to prehistoric times when humans were still living in caves! The people who lived before us had natural medicine close at hand and didn’t need to make daily trips to a doctor.

Herbs are often used in natural ingredients such as leaves, roots, and berries from the natural environment around them. Different cultures worldwide used their local plants and herbs to help one another heal from common sicknesses and injuries.

Grow indoor plants

Houseplants can be used to clean the air and add natural beauty. But perhaps you’re not sure how to care for plants indoors, or you don’t have a green thumb.

Plant a garden

It’s important to have natural living practices in the home. People are drawn to natural things and natural products. It is always good for the environment. And usually, natural products are healthier for you because they do not contain chemicals that can harm you or your family.

For example, one natural way to beautify your house is through natural gardening. Gardening provides you with beautiful flowers, herbs, bushes, vegetables.

10) Cook from scratch

Cooking from scratch is a great way to make food taste better, look better, and improve overall health.

When I’m too busy to make grocery trips regularly, I sign up to produce and grocery delivery like Farm Fresh to You. That way I know I’m getting in-season vegetables and fruits, and can also choose additional grocery items that get delivered to me each week.

11) Shop thrift stores.

If you’re looking for a way to save money, then shop thrift stores. You’ll find great bargains among the clothing and other goods at most thrift shops.

Some items, such as books and records, sell for just a few cents each. Thrift stores are happy to accept used items in good condition to be sold or recycled by the shop.

Clothes are usually priced by the pound instead of things, so you may get lucky and pick up some designer gear at bargain prices.

12) Go non-toxic for home candles and fragrances.

Are you making your home candle and fragrance products? If so, then you might want to go natural.

It would be good to use natural materials and natural scents without the artificial ingredients found in ordinary store-bought candles and fragrances—the natural living way, of course.

There is nothing wrong with making your natural home candle or natural fragrance product for yourself or as a gift item. It looks lovely when packaged nicely in an attractive container.

Etsy offers kits to make natural candles at home using soy wax or beeswax. Doing this will ensure that you get all-natural, environmentally friendly materials only.

You can search online for more ideas on making natural candles in your own home with natural materials only.

Aroma Naturals Essential Oil Orange, Clove and Cinnamon Scented Pillar Candle, Peace Pearl, 2.5 inch x 4 inchBUY ON AMAZON

Calyan Wax Co Soy Candle, 100% Soy Wax Candle with Essential Oils & 37 Hour Burn Time, 12.5 Oz Glass Tumbler Aromatherapy Candle, Made in The USA, Lavender and BergamotBUY ON AMAZON

Natural candles and natural fragrance products can now be bought from online shops as well.

13) Use reusable shopping bags.

Every day, we make choices that impact the environment—for example, making natural living choices such as reusable shopping bags can reduce our environmental footprint and dependence on natural resources.

How many natural living choices do you use to reduce your environmental impact?

Using reusable shopping bags is a natural living choice we can all make to minimize our negative impact on natural resources and the environment.

Many natural living experts agree that each time you choose a reusable bag over a plastic or paper bag, you make a natural choice that helps protect the Earth’s natural resources. 

In addition to being good for the environment, using reusable shopping bags has decreased impulse buying, increased exercise, and improved financial security. 

If everyone in the United States brought their reusable bags when shopping, we could eliminate 100 billion plastic bags every year. And in addition to natural benefits, reusable shopping bags can get better health because there are no chemicals from the plastics involved in producing the bags.

14) Reduce waste through reusing and recycling

More and more people realize the benefits of natural living. The natural way is not only better for human health but also better for the environment.

There are many ways natural living can reduce waste. According to the natural living website, reusing is “the idea of using something again without throwing it away.” So, when one thinks about reducing waste, one might think about recycling taking a piece of trash and making it into a new product.

However, natural living also advocates less reliance on consumerism and purchasing new items, which can help reduce waste.

15) Learn how to read the ingredient list of the products you buy.

Read the label ingredients carefully. When a product doesn’t clearly state its ingredient list, it’s best to steer clear and find something else. This is especially important with cosmetics and perfumes, including substances such as tallow, gelatin, or even crushed insects. 

Even your food can contain hidden toxic ingredients if you aren’t careful about checking for them on the label before buying them.

Natural Living starts with a Mindful Approach

It can be highly beneficial and enjoyable to make a conscious effort to get back to nature by taking lovely long walks in the park or at least sitting out on your porch and listening to the birds sing or watching the sunset.

Getting back to nature has excellent benefits for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs (and wants).

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