Like what you’re reading? Get FREE updates sent to your inbox.Email* I want to improve my...I want to improve my...WeightEnergyDigestionBrainOverall HealthAll of the AboveI hate spam too. Your email is safe with me.Swimming is the most popular summer activity for people of all ages. There’s nothing more refreshing than diving into some cool water on a hot, sweltering day. Unfortunately, there is one downside of swimming: chlorinated water. If you swim in a pool, it’s likely treated with chemicals like chlorine to kill bacteria. Chlorine is widely used in pool water treatment because it’s a cheap and effective disinfectant, but it has its drawbacks. Like any chemical, it's quite hazardous to your health. Aside from eye and skin irritation, chlorine exposure has been linked to allergies, asthma, respiratory problems, digestive disturbances, hormone disruption, and even some types of cancer. According to one study published in the America Journal of Epidemiology, people who swam in chlorinated pools had a 57 percent greater risk of developing bladder cancer than those who didn't.
Additionally, chlorine forms toxic byproducts when mixed with substances like sweat and urine - yes, urine. Believe it or not, urination in pools is pretty common. Researchers at Purdue University have found that more than 90 percent of uric acid in pools come from human urine. If you plan on spending some time in a pool this summer, consider the following tips to help protect your body against chlorine’s harmful effects: Have you ever noticed the sign at public pools instructing people to rinse off before they swim? Hardly anyone actually takes this precaution seriously, but it exists for good reason. Not only does rinsing your body help remove organic matter like dead skin and sweat, but it also removes residue from consumer products like lotions, shampoos, and sunscreens which all contribute to the creation of toxic byproducts when they come into contact with chlorine. Rinsing off decreases the likelihood of harmful byproducts. The major problem with indoor pools is poor air quality.
Lack of fresh air over the pool's surface, combined with inadequate air circulation and ventilation cause chlorine gas and other irritants, like chloramines, to accumulate in the air. Breathing this air can increase eye and respiratory problems. So if given a choice your best bet is to stick to the great outdoors, where the air is much fresher. Your skin is covered by a film that serves as a barrier against pollutants. Swimming in chlorinated water can lead to dry, irritated skin because chlorine strips away at this film. Aside from wearing a wet suit, there's not much you can do to shield yourself while you're in the pool. But what you do afterwards can make a big difference. After you swim, take a shower in non-chlorinated water and wash thoroughly to help rinse off any chemicals. Then, apply a natural moisturizer (e.g. coconut oil) to soothe and restore your skin. The chemical structure of ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C) completely neutralizes chlorine and chloramines, so applying concentrated vitamin C to your skin will instantly counteract any damaging effects.
There are some existing products on the market, but you could also make your own solution (dissolve 1 tsp. of vitamin C crystals in pure water and spray over your body). And don't forget about your diet; eating plenty of vitamin C-rich foods may boost your immunity to give your body some extra protection. Drinking enough water helps flush toxins out of your body by helping the kidneys and bowels maintain proper function. The general rule-of-thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces each day, but don't forget about water quality. The more unfiltered water you drink, the more toxins you're consuming. Make sure your drinking water is purified and filtered. These are just a few tips anyone can incorporate. Our hope is to start a discussion on a topic that is important, but easy to forget when all you want to do is jump into that refreshing pool! So tell us… do you worry about chlorine exposure? What are your tips on avoiding it? We’d love to learn more, so feel free to share any tips that you’ve learned!
Detox Baths for Kids: How and Why! (If you purchase anything mentioned in this post I may receive a commission (more information here). Thank you for supporting the Kula Mama website.)Why Detox Baths are Important for KIDS No matter how “green” we try to make our home space, our kids are exposed to hundreds of contaminants in air, water, food and personal care products on a DAILY basis. The body can detoxify itself of these chemicals, however, because our exposure to toxins is ever increasing, it’s a good idea to help the body detoxify whenever possible. A detox bath is one of the best ways to help boost the body’s natural skin/sweat detoxification system. I like to give my kids a detox bath weekly for general health and wellness. I also find detox baths to be particularly helpful when one of my kids starts to show signs of illness. I put my “almost” sick kid in a bath to boost the immune system quickly. When my son was fighting his candida episode last year, detox baths were a regular part of his healing protocol.
So, long story short…we are big fans of detox baths around here! Detox baths not only help rid the body of chemicals and heavy metals, but they also provide rich minerals like magnesium and sulfates that help to: Improve absorption of nutrients Relax the nervous system and muscle fibers Promote a good night’s sleep How to Give a Detox Bath First you want to draw a hot bath (not too hot, you don’t want to burn your precious children but hot enough to sweat). Make the bath as deep as possible (use common sense safety precautions with kids), you want as much of the body in the water as possible for maximum effectiveness. If your water isn’t filtered you need to neutralize the chemicals (like chlorine) in your water or the detox bath will not work and your children will absorb toxic chlorine instead of eliminating toxins! You can neutralize your water 3 ways: 1) Crystal Ball Bath Dechlorinator (good for 200 baths!) OR 2) 1 teaspoon vitamin C powder.
There are 2 different forms and either will work. You can use this one or this one. OR 3) ¼ cup baking soda. Add your de-chlorinator of choice to the bath water and let it sit for 2-5 minutes to neutralize the chlorine. Mix the epsom salts, coconut or olive oil and essential oils in a small bowl or cup. After the bath is neutralized, add the salts/oils to the bath. Add bentonite clay if using. Bentonite clay binds to chemicals, including heavy metals, and removes them. To add the clay to your bath, mix it together with water first in a cup to get the clumps out (however you are not supposed to let the clay touch metal so use a wooden or plastic spoon to stir) and then add to bath. Have your kids get in the bath and let them soak for 20 minutes. Do not use soaps or personal care products in a detox bath. During a detox bath your children’s pores are wide open and they will absorb all the chemicals from personal care products if you use them! Skip the soap during a detox bath and just soak and relax!
Detox baths can be done once a week on a regular basis. During times of illness you might increase the frequency to stimulate immune function. Make sure your kids stay hydrated with filtered water before and after a detox bath. Everyday Detox Bath for Kids 1/4 cup of baking soda OR 1 teaspoon vitamin C powder 1/2 cup of epsom salt or magnesium flakes (flakes are more easily absorbed by the skin) 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil Everyday Detox Essential Oil Blend: 2 drops lavender Immune Boosting Detox Bath for Kids (uses more salt for maximum effectiveness) ¼ cup baking soda OR 1 teaspoon of vitamin C powder 3/4 cup of epsom salt or magnesium flakes (flakes are more easily absorbed by the skin) 2 tablespoons of bentonite clay 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil Immune boosting Essential Oil Blend: 2 drops of wild orange essential oil Add neutralizer of choice to a very warm bath and let sit for 5 minutes.