Image source: Pinterest (EverThineDesigns)

We know chemicals — of varying types and toxicity — are everywhere around us. They’re in our homes, our workplaces and in products we use everyday.

But not everyone knows that many of the common synthetic chemicals we’re exposed to daily are linked to cancer, known to disrupt hormones, affect fertility, irritate skin, cause allergies and even contribute to obesity.

So when we discover the risks surrounding toxins, it makes sense that we want to share our learnings with those we care about. Or, you know, just anyone who’ll listen!

But what’s the best way to go about this? How can we educate our loved ones, particularly the more skeptical among them, to inspire new behaviours and attitudes?

Here are six gentle approaches to guiding our nearest and dearest to a life of lower tox, with minimal irritation factor!

1. SHOWING WORKS BEST

Research shows people respond better to ideas or lifestyle changes when they feel like they’ve been the instigator of it. Which is why allowing them to see something that interests and inspires them, and draw their own conclusions as a result, can be more powerful that throwing information or instruction at them.

Natalie Isaacs, activist and founder of 1 Million Women, says in her book Every Woman’s Guide to Saving the Planet: “The most powerful thing you can do is model the behaviours you’d like the rest of the family to pick up. Talk to them about why you’re doing what you’re doing, and how much you’re enjoying it. Make it about you, not them.”

That next time friends or family drop by, put on a show of spritzing surfaces with homemade cleaner, and rolling on a DIY perfume you’ve concocted with your own bespoke (and amazing smelling) blend. It’ll be sure to spark conversation.

Screen Shot 2020-04-13 at 1.52.10 PM.png — glass perfume roller

Add 10 drops of 3-4 essential oils such as Bergamot, Lavender, Wild Orange, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Siberian Fir (or whichever blend takes your fancy) to fractionated coconut oil, and transfer to a glass roller.
*Image credit*: Instagram @mammarevolution

2. BOOKS ARE POWERFUL

Has a particular book opened your eyes to low tox living? Lending that game-changer of a book to a friend could be all it takes, and certainly assumes a more passive approach to inspiring change.

Consider buying a low cost, pre-loved copy to pass on to someone, if you have issues getting books back (!), and notice the appreciation for your gesture, which will set things off more than a little favourably.

Included amongst our must-reads are Alexx Stuart’s Low Tox Life, the A-Z of D-Toxing by Sophia Ruan Gushee and Rebecca Fett’s It Starts with the Egg (fertility focused, but fascinating for anyone interested in starting or growing a family - perhaps one for very close friends).

Screen Shot 2020-04-13 at 2.30.23 PM.png — Must read: Low Tox Life

Alexx Stuart’s *Low Tox Life* is an essential read for anyone starting out on their low tox living journey.
*Image credit*: Instagram: @mattiejourney

3. FILM NIGHT, ANYONE?

Beyond book lending, sharing your inspiration in whatever form that might take, can be powerful. It could be a punchy podcast or jaw dropping documentary, a brilliant blogger, Instagram account, workshop or TED talk. If it’s a film you want to share, make an event of it and host a screening with wine and nibbles at the ready. Stink!, Minimalism, The True Cost or 2019 release Toxic Beauty - all worthy contenders.

4. HOW IMPORTANT IS TIMING?

If you ever struggle with your brain to mouth filter (yep, hi), then listen up: That first moment you witness your friend’s questionable product choice? Bite your tongue. It probably isn’t the time to raise a red flag.

Trying to educate someone on the hazards of something they’ve literally just slathered themselves in, or spent an entire month’s pay packet on, doesn’t generally end well. Keep it in mind to bring up later. You only really get one shot before you start sounding repetitive, or irritating, so time it right.

5. USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR GOOD

As of January 2020 there are 3.8 billion social media users worldwide. It’s mind-blowing how many of us are receiving news and information via platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These are invaluable mediums for educating on everyday toxins and health issues, and so let’s use it as a tool. Share online something you’ve recently watched, read, or listened to, to help it reach a broader audience. Find the best content via low tox news Google alerts, newsletters, reddit, YouTube or Twitter accounts like ewg’s (Environmental Working Group).

6. PLAY ON HUMAN NEEDS

As social creatures, we inherently like to feel that we’re doing the same as everyone else. For example, studies have found that people are influenced to install solar panels if their neighbours have done so. Our community is a powerful influence on our choices.

For our skeptical friends, it’s worth mentioning that scores of people are now making DIY cleaners, ditching their fabric conditioners, and shunning mainstream perfumes. The clean, green trends are hitting hard across all areas of life and everywhere you look there’s evidence to prove it.

7. HOW TO DO RANDOM GIFTING

Treating loved ones to a random gift is such a simple gesture. So easy and lovely (for both parties); it’s slightly odd we don’t all do it more. Spontaneous generosity and kindness has way more impact than buying for a birthday or Hallmark occasion. So hone in on a certain area for a certain person (you’ll know), and buy them a practical gift they could use straight away.

Of course we’re not all made of money, but it doesn’t need to be expensive, and Pinterest can inspire no end. (Also Etsy.) There are a bunch of low cost ideas here too on this brilliant list.)

8. QUESTIONS CAN BE TRIGGERS

Posing a few questions to get friends or family thinking is an interesting tactic, but it can actually work well in having them arrive at the same conclusion you came to without you saying … well, anything. It might be a slower, more roundabout approach but it does remove the risk of creating shame, bruising ego, or coming off condescending.

“Ask questions instead of giving orders.”

— Dale Carnegie

Examples might be: ‘Do you ever worry about the chemicals in sunscreens?‘; ‘Do you ever wonder what’s in your perfume? ‘Don’t you think toxins must accumulate in the body with repeated use?…’

A few facts to drop:

Only 11% of 10,500 ingredients used in beauty products have been tested for safety, according to the EWG.
In the US, the law designed to guarantee the safety of personal care products has remained largely unchanged since 1938.
Over 93 percent of Americans have BPA in their bodies, according to government reports.

How to inspire skeptics to go low tox