8 Plants and Essential Oils that Clean the Air

Breathing is a part of life that's of utmost importance, but something we rarely spend much time thinking about -- our bodies naturally take care of this task for us without any thought.  There's nothing sweeter than taking a deep breath of fresh mountain air, or breathing in the salty air as you look out over the ocean.  But how often do you consider the air you breathe day in and day out in your living space?   

There are many simple things you can do to assure the air in your home stays as pure as possible, and my favorite ways to do this are using plants and essential oils.  These, together and separate, can remove toxins that you don't see, clean the air in your home, and add ambiance.  Breathe new life into your home by using these plants and essential oils to purify your living space.  

1.  Aloe Vera 

Not only is it a great plant to keep around for relieving burns, but it’s also amazing for drawing formaldehyde from the air. Plus, in small spaces, just one will work wonders.  

2.  Lemon Essential Oil 

This oil purifies the air plus it has a very uplifting impact on you. Try diffusing some in the morning as you get ready for work.  

3.  Fern 

Ferns are perfect for your bathroom space because they’re happiest in humidity. While they’re there, they will take all the xylene from the area for a cleaner and healthier you. 

4.  Eucalyptus Essential Oil 

There’s a reason you smell this essential oil in spas everywhere. It purifies the air to keep it fresh plus it is an ideal natural decongestant. Use it in the chillier months or when allergies strike to clear the air and your sinuses too. 

5.  Spider Plant 

If you’ve avoided keeping plants around the home because you’re not good at keeping them alive, then this plant is a good choice. It doesn’t need watering very often and is fantastic for absorbing any chemicals released into your air. 

6. Tea Tree Essential Oil 

This air-purifying oil is one of the best since it fights away mold. Mold can lurk behind walls and may not be visible to you while still causing irreparable harm to your health. Tea tree essential oil can assist with keeping this from happening. Caution: be wary about diffusing tea tree essential oil around pets. 

7.  Chrysanthemums  

According to NASA, this is the best natural air purifier you can keep in your home. It destroys those air pollutants, keeping your home’s air clean and fresh.  

8.  Snake Plant 

If you have a space in your home that doesn’t get much sunlight, you’ll like this plant. It’s as easy to care for as the spider plant too.  

For the best clean air in your home, try incorporating both plants and essential oils. You can diffuse the oils, or you can spray them around your house daily. Unless you have a considerable space, one plant should do the trick in each room. See how much better you feel when you purify your air naturally! 

Go to our Facebook page and let us know which plants and/or essential oils are your favorites! Click HERE for Facebook page.

Do you emotionally eat? I used to...

Using food to improve your feelings is what falls under emotional eating territory — for example, turning to a pint of ice cream, a large pizza, or some other food indulgence after a rough day.  Emotional eating is something we all face at some point or another, so it’s time to ditch the guilt and figure out what’s underlying.   

Don't be mistaken that treating yourself every once in awhile means there's a deeper issue -- this is normal behavior.  On the other hand, using food to quell unhappy feelings or to fill a void is where the problem lies.  Doing so may cause a momentary sense of relief, but it always brings more negative emotions than good.  The guilt and shame send us down a spiral, which can then in turn cause more emotional eating.  

If this has been happening to you often, it’s time to dig a little deeper and see what's going on underneath the surface and find new tools to defeat the habit.   

Let's touch on some ways you can create new patterns without guilt...

1. Feel your feelings

Staying with your feelings, no matter how uncomfortable, is essential for battling emotional eating.  It's okay to feel your feelings, embracing them instead of making the decision to avoid them.  The sooner you acknowledge those feelings, the sooner they will disappear. Write about them in a journal and release.  Talk them through with a friend or loved one.  Reserve your tasty treats for your chosen special days, not when your emotions are driving you to them

2. Savor the moment

Look for the moments in your life where there are light-heartedness and happiness. The clouds in the sky, the way the sun feels on your face, a relaxing bubble bath ... these are all things to savor. Do it with your food, too and eat mindfully. Enjoy that slice of veggie pizza, but take each bite with thoughtfulness to honestly eat for enjoyment and not to snuff out feelings.  

3. Don’t eat unless you’re hungry

Make sure you’re hungry before you eat. If you aren’t sure, have a glass of water first.  Wait 10 minutes after drinking it, and if you still feel hungry, now's the perfect time to reach for a bite to eat. Exercise healthy eating 80% of the time and when you mindfully and moderately indulge, it will have less of an impact.  Balance is everything, and I live by this myself, too.

4. Know your triggers

Keeping a journal will help you see what triggers set you off for emotional eating. When you identify the cause of what makes you head for the fridge, then you can stop those triggers in their tracks.  

5. Keep healthy in your control

Stock your fridge with delicious yet nutritious foods so that the temptation isn't there.  Carrot sticks with hummus is a satisfying snack that takes little to no effort to prepare. When you make healthier choices all around, it’s easier to control your emotional eating.

Want to learn more? Join my private Facebook group where I share tips, recipes, and workouts. Plus, you will have the chance to ask me questions and even set up a private consultation!

Join Facebook group by clicking HERE.