Natural Living
- Katherine Willow Ryan

- Aug 23, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: May 19

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We all know that living more naturally helps us feel better, gives us more energy, and keeps us in a healthier alignment with the Universe. However, most of us are so busy that we make all kinds of excuses as to why we cannot reconnect with our more natural selves. It is not a matter of not having time, it is a matter of making time to live more naturally and letting go of our hectic lifestyle. It is about finding beauty in less and putting quality over quantity.
Natural living is a mindset, it is about making lifestyle choices that have as little negative impact on you and our world as possible. It is all about making positive choices for your well-being, living the way nature has meant for us to, and living to feel our best. Living a simpler, more natural life can be our best antidote to our overworked, overscheduled, and overstimulated lifestyle that has been draining us.
I like to live as naturally as possible which brought me to a slower type of living. It is a lifestyle and a journey that I am taking one step at a time.
FUEL
My first step has been to choose a better way to fuel my body.
I like to eat as close to natural as possible: whole foods, unprocessed, organic and non-GMO, pesticide-free, wildcrafted, high quality, nutrient-dense, free-range, pastured, grass-fed, and consciously sourced foods.
HYDRATION
I drink a ton of filtered water daily. I try to drink half my body weight in ounces. Water is vitally important to keep our bodies functioning properly. I also drink herbal teas and fermented beverages for the probiotics.
MOVEMENT
Moving my body is also important! I go walking and trail walking as much as possible in good weather.
My goal is to add in: Primal Essential Movements, Body weight exercises, Primal Play, Animal Flow, MoveNat, Body Groove, and Rucking.
SLEEP
Sleep, get your 8 hours in! Sleep affects your entire well-being. Sleep deprivation causes memory issues, trouble with thinking and concentration, mood changes, accidents and injuries, weakens your immune system, causes high blood pressure, and more! Those are just the beginning. Once you understand how important sleep is, you will change your habits. If it ever comes down to not getting enough sleep to finish my studies, projects, promises, or activities… I put my sleep first.
MENTAL HEALTH
Slow life down, look for ways to reduce stress, and say no when you need family time or time to yourself. Focus on activities and relationships that you cherish most. Leave some days just for you on the calendar. Schedule in playtime, even as adults we need time for fun! And don't forget to add in some Self-care time as well.
GET OUTSIDE
Get plenty of sunshine daily and spend quality time reconnecting with nature. Start a garden. Go for a walk or hike. Do a meditation.
NATURAL REMEDIES
Educate yourself on the use of natural remedies. We do not need antibiotics every time we get sick. Handle as much as you can at home, but be smart! If it is serious or an emergency, see your doctor.
REMOVE TOXINS
Not all product ingredients are safe. Contrary to most people's beliefs, our government does not make sure that products are really all that safe for us. Do research on the products that you use and remove all the toxins that you can from your home. Have you checked your personal care products, makeup, and household cleaners ingredients lists? I guarantee there are healthier options. Look products up on EWG – Environmental Working Group and Yuka App, and be aware of what you are putting on your skin. If you need help finding healthier products, contact me. You can also make your own. There are tons of recipes online.
NATURAL CLOTHING
Wear as much natural clothing as possible. Avoid microfiber pollution, and don’t buy synthetic clothing (polyesters, rayons, acrylics, or blends). Microfiber is a tiny fragment of the type of plastic used to make synthetic fabrics. These fibers are shed from synthetic clothing during a washing machine cycle. Because they are so small, microfibers aren’t all caught by wastewater treatment plants; instead, many are released into the environment and end up in our food and water. Switch to wool, cotton, linen, ramie, alpaca, cashmere, silk, and hemp.
I'm not saying to throw all your clothes away and buy a new wardrobe. Please wear your current clothing until it is either time to recycle or give it away, but when you do go clothing shopping it is time to make healthier choices in your purchases. It is estimated that we eat about a credit card-sized amount of plastic a week due to microfiber pollution.
LIVE RESPONSIBLY
Make eco-conscious choices in your daily life. Practice sustainable living. Reduce your plastic consumption, and go as close to zero waste as possible. Switch to reusable products. Protect our world. This is not about global warming, this is about being responsible for our actions.
OBSERVE THE SEASONS
Embrace the changes of the seasons. Each season has so much to offer us. Seasons offer us a change so that we can reflect and move on. Eat seasonally for our health. You will feel connected and present.
EMBRACE MINIMALISM
For most of us, this is not the easiest of ideas, but stuff can overwhelm us. It is not about doing without, sacrificing our things, or depriving ourselves. It is about letting go of the things you do not need so that you can better focus on what matters.
GET FRUGAL
If you embrace living within your own means then you realize that it is not important to keep up with anyone else. You will not be chasing higher and higher standards of living. You will have time to enjoy what you do have. Freeing yourself from that kind of pressure does a body so much good!
UNPLUG
Less screen time, put your phone or tablet down. Step away from the tv. Get outside! Move. Read. Work on projects. Start a new hobby. Make some art. Journal. Meditate. Find your passion!
If you cannot manage to break away from screens then you can get blue light glasses or filters for your tech (phones, tablets). The blue light emitted from tech blocks your body from making melatonin and hampers your ability to sleep.
Try to break away from screens at least 1-2 hours before bedtime so your body can properly rest.
FOCUS ON WELL-BEING
Take the time to learn a healthier lifestyle. Slow things down and become present in your daily living. It can be done. Do it one step at a time! Your stress will start melting away as soon as you are not always on the go.
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