Why Does Natural Living Matter?

Natalie Wescott
Jun 24
3 min read

Updated: Jul 17

Did you know that the average woman puts an estimated 168 chemicals on her body every single day? That number stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it. Between our shampoo, lotion, deodorant, makeup, cleaning supplies, and food - our bodies are constantly bombarded with substances we can’t even pronounce.

And the real question is: Do you know what you're putting on or in your body?

What are we unknowingly exposing our children to? What long-term effects might these exposures have? Is our home truly a sanctuary for healing—or are we unknowingly filling it with toxins that burden our bodies over time?

Here’s the truth: Every single ingredient we put in or on our body has an effect, positive or negative. There is no neutral input when it comes to our health.

As a registered nurse working in a busy ER, I’ve seen both the beauty and the brokenness of our healthcare system. I’ve worked alongside some of the most compassionate, brilliant nurses and doctors. I have deep respect for the role conventional medicine plays especially in trauma, emergency care, and life-saving interventions.

But what I’ve also seen is this: we’re often treating symptoms without ever asking “why.”

Headaches? Take a pill. Skin rashes? Use this cream. Digestive issues? Mask it with medication. And in doing so, we often silence the warning bells our body is ringing. We suppress symptoms but rarely stop to explore the root cause.

This is where our system is failing families. We’re so focused on quick fixes that we miss the opportunity to heal from the inside out.

What if we stopped chasing symptoms and started asking questions?

Why are our kids constantly congested?
Why is eczema so common?
Why is anxiety and mental health problems the norm?
Why are autoimmune disorders on the rise?

Every disease has a root cause. And so many times, that root involves a combination of environmental toxins, nutrition, and chronic stress.

But there is hope. There’s a better way—and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive.

Your Home Should Be a Place of Healing

Our homes should be sanctuaries, not sources of low-level toxic stress. But most homes today are full of:

Air fresheners loaded with formaldehyde
Cleaning sprays that warn you not to breathe them in
Plastics leaching hormone-disrupting chemicals into our food
Pesticide-laden produce
Medications that mask rather than heal

We have to ask: What are we normalizing? And more importantly, what are we teaching our children is normal?

You don’t need to fear every single thing in your home. But you do need to be informed. Because once you know better, you can choose better—for yourself, your kids, your future.

Holistic Health Starts with the Basics

Natural living doesn’t mean buying all the fancy organic products or swapping everything in your home overnight. It starts with the simple, foundational changes:

Real, nourishing food
Clean air and sunshine
Filtered water
Deep, restorative sleep
Reducing toxic load in our homes
And a mindset that believes healing is possible

You don’t have to do everything. You just have to start. One intentional switch (swapping out your laundry detergent, upgrading your sunscreen, ditching artificial fragrance) can make a difference. These small changes add up, and they matter more than we’ve been led to believe.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re just starting out, feeling overwhelmed, or wondering where to begin - I see you. I was you. And I want to walk alongside you.

I’ve done the research so you don’t have to. I’ve made the swaps, tested the remedies, and learned the hard way that natural living doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

My goal is to empower you with knowledge, encourage you to trust your gut, and equip you to make decisions that feel aligned with your values and your family’s needs.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing to start.