Resolutions to Make for Your Home and Health This Year

January is a wonderful time to evaluate the accomplishments you've made over the past year while assessing the challenges that still present themselves. With this sense of self-reflection, making goals for bettering yourself can be an easy task - believe me! Here, I've put together five simple New Year’s resolutions and actions you can take to increase your personal health and the healthfulness within your home throughout the new year and beyond.

Switch to nontoxic makeup and toiletries

Modern day cosmetics contain many harmful toxins that can seep in through your skin and negatively affect your health over time. A great way to avoid these unwanted chemicals is to purge your makeup and toiletry cabinet. If you are having a difficult time figuring out which products are safe and which ones should be thrown away, you can use the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) cosmetics database to see the toxicity rating of over 64,000 products.

Update your bedding

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary and a place where you can relax after a long day. The best way to ensure you are getting optimal and healthful rest is by having clean and non-toxic bedding. Commonly made bedroom materials are filled with toxic chemicals such as dyes and formaldehyde. Make sure that your mattress, pillows, and sheets are made of the highest quality materials to start each day rejuvenated and full of energy.

Switch to non-toxic cleaning products

Like many cosmetics, cleaning products also frequently contain harmful toxins, such as phthalates, ammonia, chlorine and more. To ensure the healthfulness within your home it is essential to use the best quality and most natural forms of cleaning products. To do this, you could buy non-toxic and organic cleaning products from your local store. To see the ranking of your current products (and some alternative options) you can check the EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning.

Paint your home with Non-Volatile Organic Compound paint

It is amazing how a new paint color can bring a completely different mood to your home! For the New Year, I am painting a few rooms in my home neutral, relaxing colors that induce a spa-like, restful feeling. I plan to use Dunn Edwards paint because of the beautiful color selection and the brand's commitment to toxic-free paint ingredients.

Clean unwanted clutter

The importance of indoor cleaning is unparalleled in terms of the healthfulness within your home. I find that there is no better way to bring in the New Year than by having a major cleaning in my home. I do this specifically by donating items that are no longer useful or relevant to me. This always provides me a clearer frame of mind, while also removing stagnant air pollutants from my home. To learn more about the importance of tidying your home check out Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.” It will change your whole outlook on cleaning!

Grow an indoor herb garden

I love the idea of using different plants to decorate your home while ridding the indoor air of harmful pollutants. Why not add to that and grow fresh herbs that also taste delicious? Starting an indoor herb garden will ensure that your herbs are fresh, organic and healthy while increasing air quality within your home.

Cook organic (preferably local) meals

Cooking organic meals with fresh and local produce is a wonderful resolution for the New Year. This is a powerful way to make a positive environmental impact while also being conscious of the nutrition you are consuming. My personal goal is to cook a nutrient-packed meal for my friends and family members at least once a week. This will allow me to spend quality time with the people that matter most while sharing a delicious and nutritious meal.

With that, I hope all your resolutions will be manifested into healthy actions this year and beyond! 

- Stacia Sheputa