environment friendly

Jan

2023

5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Your Daily Items

Reading Time: 2 minutes

There are many ways that we can help reduce environmental pollution. Eventually, a lifestyle change is needed if we really want to maximize our efforts. We all know that will take some time. In the meantime, we can start by using eco-friendly alternatives for our daily items.

Reusable Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle is the first eco-friendly alternative that we all should switch to right away. Make good use of them to replace disposable paper cups and having to buy mineral or distilled water in plastic bottles. Not only will you be saving money from buying less beverages when going outside; you can also help reduce the number of plastic bottles ending up in landfills and in the ocean. Remember, plastics are forever.

Reusable Straws

Since we’re talking about beverages, reusable straws are also easily available as a sustainable replacement to plastic straws. There are bamboo straws, metal straws, glass straws and even silicon straws for you to choose from. Bamboo straws are the most eco-friendly. Metal straws and glass straws come in a variety of colors and sizes to suit your needs. Silicon straws are more portable and convenient to pack for everyday use.

Rechargeable Batteries

Batteries can cause water and soil pollution when they get thrown into a landfill as they have many toxic chemicals as their main components. Use rechargeable batteries as an eco-friendly alternative. Aside from being more long lasting; they can also help you save on storage space and money since you don’t need to keep buying new batteries. You only need to recharge them every time they run out of power. Also, remember to dispose your electronic items properly to help reduce toxic contamination into the environment.

Natural Personal Care

A lot of the products we use for personal care have ingredients like microplastics that do not decompose and end up polluting the oceans and killing marine life. They may also contain chemicals that are toxic to the soil and can kill vegetation. If these can harm the environment; how can it not be harmful to our bodies as well? So on your next shopping run for personal care items, look for products with natural ingredients as they are also biodegradable. You can even create your own beauty remedies at home. There are many shampoo and conditioner bars that are great eco-friendly alternatives to bottled shampoo. They are also very convenient to pack when traveling.

Reusable Shopping Bags

Nowadays, eco bags are easily available as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic grocery bags and paper bags. Invest in a good eco bag that’s made of sturdy material such as canvas which are also washable. Or you can opt for one that’s easy to clean with just the wipe of a washcloth for grocery items that tend to be moist or wet. There are also biodegradable trash bags for lining your garbage cans at home. Plastic bags are one of the most common plastic wastes collected in landfills and making their way into the oceans, poisoning marine life.

These are just some of the item swaps that you can implement right away as your first step into a more sustainable lifestyle.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Anna Oliinyk on Unsplash.

Mar

2022

Do You Know About Environmental Wellness?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Do you know about environmental wellness? Are you environmentally well? Having a healthy environment is important. It is where we go about pursuing our goals. It is important that our environment makes us feel safe to express our authentic ourselves. We should feel safe enough to do what we want to do, and receive support from our social circle too.

One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.
– Leo Tolstoy

In reality, not everyone is in an ideal environment to stay healthy and focused on self growth. However, there are some things that we can do to improve our environment. Here are 10 questions you can ask yourself to assess your environmental wellness.

Are You Taking Care of Your Environment?

Ask yourself: Do I …

Make a conscious effort to conserve energy (by shutting off lights when not in use, keeping doors closed to preserve cool air, walking, biking, or carpooling, etc.) whenever I can?
Purchase energy-efficient products and sustainable materials when possible?
Make a conscious effort to conserve water at home and in other places I go to?
Do my part to reduce air pollution (by keeping my car tuned up, having plants around my living space and home, etc.)?
Make a conscious effort to not litter (bringing reusable water tumblers, etc.)?
Recycle and use recyclable products?
Buy organic and sustainable products even though they can be more expensive?
Buy from local farmers and businesses whenever I can even though it can be more expensive?
Spend time to support environmental organizations and activities?
Keep myself updated on current environmental issues as well as potential solutions and strategies?

There are many more things that we can do to help us achieve and maintain our environmental wellness. Being mindful of how we contribute to environmental issues is a small step that we can do right away. Then, we can start making conscious efforts to reduce our negative impact on the environment. In our own homes, we can start by clearing our space of negative energy and decluttering. This way, we can have clarity on how we can improve all dimensions of our wellness.

Featured Image: Original Photo by Lucas Allmann from Pexels.

Apr

2021

Simple Ways To Help Save the Planet

Reading Time: 3 minutes

There are simple actions that we do each day that are harming the environment. Remember that we only have one planet, if we are not going to take care of it, who else will? The good news is that all of us have the power to if not reverse at least stop further damage to the earth. We only have to do it together. Every action counts. Here are simple ways to help save the planet:

1.Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The best way to save the environment is to reduce the waste being produced. We can do this by reusing items instead of throwing them after a single use. Household items that we can reuse include boxes, containers, glass jars, papers, plastic bags, plastic spoons and forks and many other household items. To recycle means using items for a different purpose instead of discarding them right away. Items that be recycled include clothes, plastic containers, newspapers, steel cans and food wastes.

2.Buy Organic Products

Organic farming benefits the environment. It helps reduce pollution and soil erosion. It also conserves water and increases soil fertility. In addition, organic farming uses 45% less energy compared to regular farms. Thus, by purchasing organic products especially in your local community; you are actually doing your share in helping the planet.

3. Conserve Water and Energy

Conserving water can keep the water pure and clean. It also minimizes the effect of water shortages. It also helps reduce your household expenses. There are many ways to conserve water at home. You can do simple things like:

Turning off the water when not in use
Checking toilets and faucets for leaks
Using dishwashers and washing machines only in full load
Watering the plants during cool parts of the day

Likewise, energy conservation is also important for the environment. Reducing energy consumption can help lessen air pollution. There are many ways to reduce energy consumption at home. You can do things like:

Turning off lights when not in use
Washing clothes in cold water
Unplugging unused electronics
Using LED lights

4. Go Paperless

Going digital has a lot of advantages. Not only does it improve efficiency, it also saves money. In addition, it also gives you access anytime wherever you may be. An added bonus, it is good for the environment too.

5. Patronize Eco-Friendly Companies

Many companies out there already started with their environmental initiatives. As consumers, you can help the environment by supporting environmentally-friendly and sustainable products. At the same time, boycott brands that are not helping the environment at all.

6. Plant a Tree

Trees give us oxygen. They also purify the air by storing the harmful carbon dioxide. They prevent soil erosion and maintain humidity levels. Trees also provide shelter for wildlife. The human race will not be able to survive without plants and trees. However, it is a fact that there is massive deforestation happening right now. So, we must help by planting a tree. You can plant a tree in your backyard. You can also join tree planting activities. If planting is not your thing, you can just donate and have others plant the tree for you.

7. Segregate Wastes

Poor waste management results in land, air and even water pollution. Combined with hazardous materials, the trash that we throw is not only harmful to the environment but detrimental to our health as well.

8. Use Your Voice

You don’t need to be active in any environmental organization to be an environmentalist. You can actually use your voice to talk and influence your family, friends. neighbors and colleagues. Speak up and make your voice heard by the people around you.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Aug

2020

Get Rid of Negative Energy in Your Home

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The home should be the place where we feel safe and secure. It is also the place where we let out all our stress and emotional baggage. It’s not surprising that stagnant or negative energy may build up in our homes. This can make us feel down, fatigued, and even make us sick. How do you get rid of negative energy in your home? Here are some tips.

Open the Windows

Air out all the negative energy in your house one room at a time by opening the windows to let fresh air come through. While you’re at it, shake out your pillows and blankets to recirculate any stagnant energy around them. Try to breathe in the fresh air too to get rid of negative energy not just in your home but in your body as well.

Wipe Down, Wipe Out

Regularly wipe down surfaces in your home to clean and disinfect them but also to wipe out the negative energy in the room. It doesn’t only keep your home safe and clean, it also detoxifies you mentally and physically as it can be therapeutic and a good workout. Do the 15-minute cleaning routine daily to maintain the cleanliness of your home.

Burn Some Incense

Incense has long been used to clean and purify any space of negative energy. This is used in temples and even churches to this day. The most popular one used for this purpose is sage. You can use sage incense sticks or sage smudge wands and use the smoke to get rid of negative energy in your home. It would be great if you could do this for every room in the house. Have the windows open while doing this so the smoke detector in your house isn’t activated.

Remove or Repair Broken Items

Broken things that are stuck around the house bring stagnant, negative energy into your home. Each time an item is broken, immediately set aside time to have it fixed so they don’t take space while remaining unused. If it can’t be repaired, then get rid of it immediately.

Remove Clutter Immediately

Doesn’t it feel good after you’ve cleaned your desk? Clutter can make you feel tired and stressed so try to banish clutter from your life by regularly decluttering your space. Get rid of negative energy in your home by cleaning as you go each time you use a room.

Spray Orange Essential Oil

The smell of orange is not only refreshing, it also helps to lift the mood. Mix some orange essential oil in water and use it to spray around the house. You can also use it on your regular diffuser to elevate the mood in any space. Not only will you get rid of the negative energy in your home; it will make your space smell fresh too.

Ring a Bell in Each Room

This is a simple way to move bad energy out of any space. Ring a bell in each corner of a room and the doorways in your home. You can also use a singing bowl to do so. The sound waves will help get rid of the negative energy accumulating in your home.

Salt the Corners of Each Room

Salt can be used to ward off negative energy as well as to absorb negative energy. Put some salt in the four corners of your rooms and let it sit for 48 hours. You can vacuum it or sweep it away and throw it out to get rid of negative energy in your home.

Protect your Space with Crystals

Crystals have been used since ancient times to ward off negative energy and to enhance positive energy. Black Tourmaline is especially known to ward off and dissolve negative energy. Keep this close to electronic devices to protect you from the negative effects of electromagnetic exposure. Other crystals also help to get rid of negative energy in your home with various effects.

Live with Plants

Having living, healthy plants around your home is one sure way to invite more positive energy into your home. Make sure you water them as needed and place them in spots where they are most suitable. Some plants require a lot of sunlight while others can thrive in the shade. Certain plants also help to naturally purify the air and freshen up the look of your living space.

Finally, the most important tip to ensure that your home does not accumulate negative energy is to be full of positive energy yourself. Remember the mind-body connection? Your thoughts influence your physical state but your environment affects how you think and feel too.

Keep yourself in a positive state of mind all the time so you don’t contribute to the negative energy in your own home. It is also easier for you to notice if there is negative energy in your home if you are in a positive state. This means, you can get rid of negative energy as soon as possible too.

Launch Challenge

Your challenge is to launch into action and do any of these tips or a combination of these for a whole month. See which ones are more effective for your lifestyle. The bigger challenge is to develop the habit of regularly clearing out your space of negative energy so you can work on your dreams in a positive space that helps you maintain a positive mindset and attract more positive experiences into your life.

Featured Image: Original Photo by Conscious Design on Unsplash.

Jun

2020

Why Go for Natural Products?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The demand for natural products is now on the rise. This has caused some major brand names to replace ingredients in their products with natural ones. Others have had to discontinue product lines that customers are shunning due to its use of harmful chemical ingredients. While others have faced lawsuits from customers, claiming to have dire medical conditions, as a result of toxic chemicals in the products.

If you’ve been buying the same personal care items for years, you might want to read the labels next time. Here’s a short rundown of why going for natural products is better for you and the planet.

What is a “natural” product?

A simple search online of the phrase “natural product” will primarily tell you something similar to the following:

Natural product (n.) – A chemical substance produced by a living organism — a term used commonly in reference to chemical substances found in nature that have distinctive pharmacological effects. Such a substance is considered a natural product even if it can be prepared by total synthesis.
– [GCIDE]

Natural product (Noun) – Any compound produced naturally by a living organism; especially those compounds that are useful commercially.
– [Wiktionary]

Other terms used to label natural products include: organic, chemical-free and eco-friendly. “Organic” usually refers to fruits and vegetables grown without the use of chemical fertilizers.

Organic product – An organic product is made from materials produced by organic agriculture. There are different types of organic products. However organic product is more known for food items like organic grocery, organic vegetables, organic certified foods, etc….
– [Wikipedia]

Organic products should have at least 95% or more of organic ingredients from plant sources.

Ingredients in organic products are processed to preserve most of their benefits. For example, cold-pressed oils are more potent in effect than those that use other processes for extracting essential oils. However, this also means that they have shorter shelf life than products with preservatives added to them.

Natural products use organic ingredients too, but the extraction process may dilute or alter their effects. For example, the addition of chemical preservatives will make the product last longer. This might also dilute the potency of the ingredients.

Note that a product can be natural and organic, but not all natural products are organic. Also, not all products labeled natural or organic are actually 100% natural or organic. It is always best to read the labels on the products you are buying.

Why Go for Natural Products?

Switching your personal beauty stash to natural products may seem daunting at first but doing so will return many benefits.

Less Chemicals, Less Irritation

Commercial products usually have chemicals, artificial colors, preservatives and fillers which can cause breakouts or even strong, allergic reactions. This is because your body rejects these chemicals.

With natural products, there are less of these chemicals in the product. The product is able to work better with your own body chemistry, giving you better results. When was the last time you took a home remedy instead of over the counter medicine? You felt better but didn’t get drowsy so you didn’t need to call in sick.

Smell Better, Feel Better

We may not notice it, but good smells do make us feel better. But not all good smelling commercial product is good for your health. Some of them actually come with harmful chemicals which can cause eye irritation and even migraines.

Artificial fragrances cover up the smells of other chemicals used in many health and beauty products. Natural products usually smell like their natural ingredients. For example, putting on a moisturizer infused with lavender essential oil also feels like an aromatherapy session.

Gentle but Lasting Effects

If you have been using natural personal care products long enough; you will notice that usually never claim to work overnight. However, the improvements become more noticeable as time goes by.

A simple experiment is to replace a good-smelling commercial product with a natural product that smells the same. The natural product might not smell as strongly as the commercial one; but you will be experiencing less breakouts than before. Also, you might have less headaches as you keep on using it.

Safe for Kids, Good for the Planet

Natural products are generally safe for kids too. So if your kid is curious about an item in your beauty stash, they won’t get irritated. If they have allergies, then pick an item that doesn’t contain that ingredient.

Whatever you put on your skin, you also pass on to the planet. Whenever you take a shower with chemically-laden products, these chemicals end up in our oceans. The plastic containers that we throw away after using these products contribute to the environment’s pollution as well.

Invest in the Health of the Planet

The good news is, that more and more companies are switching to biodegradable, recyclable, eco-friendly packaging. This may make the item more expensive than before; but in the long run, the benefits are long-lasting and far-reaching. Think of it as paying extra now for a better product that also helps us reduce pollution on our planet.

Are you ready to go for natural products next time?

Feature Image: Original Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash.