Category: Natural Living

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HANDLING ORGANIC WASTE?

Organic wastes are decomposable waste that is bio-degradable and can be soiled safely. A green bin is used to dispose of such as organic wastes. Green bins are huge, portable plastic or metal containers that can carry organic waste. The reason a green bin was introduced is to reduce the amount of waste transported to landfills by recycling waste that is biodegradable—organic wastes like soiled paper products, food wastes, pet wastes, or such similar wastes. Thus, a green bin is sought as a more convenient and feasible material.

What is organic waste?

  •   Organic waste is produced by living organisms, unlike inorganic, which is ultimately the other polar. Which makes organic wastes compostable and completely bio-degradable.
  •   Organic wastes are combined and entirely formed of carbon and hydrogen bonds. However, other forms of chemical waste do not contain traces of carbon.
  • , a major notable key feature is that organic wastes are affected by high temperatures. Heat and burning elements affect organic wastes, unlike inorganic wastes that do not burn.
  •   All organic wastes are composed of organisms that are of living or once-living plants. Organic matter does not contain any mineral-like characteristics.
  •   Upon further analysis, multiple research pieces suggest that organic matter is larger and more widely complex in general. When compared to inorganic wastes, they seem to be even more complicated. This complexity is sought to be present due to their structure and composition.
  •   organic wastes are insoluble in water. Natural waste materials do not form salt. Unlike inorganic matter, which is readily soluble to form salts.
  •   As organic waste is involved in its structure and composition, organic matter is depicted as having slower rates of an overall reaction than its counterpart.

Common examples of organic wastes

  •   Remains of food
  •   Fruits
  •   Cardboards
  •   Paper wastes
  •   Pet wastes

How to dispose of organic waste material?

Disposing of organic waste is pretty straightforward. They are easily disposable. Organic wastes are readily biodegradable and compostable. Therefore, green waste bins are present everywhere for you to dispose of organic wastes quickly. Green waste bins in Wellington is a commonplace to mass produce green waste bins. Another common way to dispose of organic waste is by disposing of in landfills or incinerators as organic wastes are safe to be buried under the soil or burned down completely. Even though organic wastes can be incinerated, burning is not cited as one of the best possible options, as it results in forming toxic fumes that are harmful to the living. 

Alternate options

Therefore, landfills are the go-to option for disposing of organic matter. But, the increase in landfills all around the localities has instigated the need to adapt an eco-friendlier method of disposing of organic waste. Therefore, better ways of handling organic waste and recycling are preferred. So, the food remains, which are a waste, are used to feed farm animals, and biological debris are disposed of through this method.

7 Tips to Switch Over to an Eco-Friendly Beauty Routine

With visiting a salon turning out to be a risky affair, it is becoming increasingly important to maintain a sustainable and eco-friendly beauty routine. 

If you do a search you can actually find quite a few sustainable alternatives to the beauty products you have been using all this while. Not only are these good for your skin, but they are also inexpensive and easily available.

Here are a few things you need to keep in mind before purchasing eco-friendly beauty products:

Make sure it suits your skin type

Knowing your skin type is very essential before you select any beauty product, even if it is eco-friendly and sustainable. This way you won’t have to worry about their side effects if any.

Start slow

You don’t have to replace all your beauty products with sustainable products at once. Take one product at a time. Read a few real beauty product reviews, ask for a sample, and try it for some time. If it doesn’t suit you, replace it with another until you find something suitable.

Take a look at the packaging

Reputed eco-friendly products always come with eco-friendly packaging. If you find something wrapped up in a plastic cover, it may not be a good idea to buy. Look for products that come in glass bottles and other eco-friendly material that can be recycled.

Go through the list of ingredients

Eco-friendly beauty products are usually made up of natural and organic ingredients such as algae and marine extracts. Make sure the products you buy don’t have microbeads or micro plastics in them. When building your sustainable skincare routine, look for ingredients like cocoa butter, vegetable oils, and beeswax instead of petroleum products that could be harmful.

Replace your tools along with your products

Replace all the tools that you use such as razors, wipes, cotton pads, hair brushes, brushes, and applicators with eco-friendly alternatives. You can just cut up an old towel and make yourself seven or eight reusable pads that can be washed and used as and when you need. Go for a stainless steel safety razor rather than a plastic disposable one. Look for hairbrushes, brushes, and applicators made of bamboo with synthetic bristles.

Choose shampoo bars over shampoos

You can get rid of all the plastic bottles in your bathroom by choosing shampoo bars. They last longer than shampoos and can be used on hair and body. Explore your options and choose something that goes with your preferences.

Cut down on the number of products

You don’t have to invest in too many beauty products to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing. All that you need is a good cleanser, a skin toner, and a moisturizer that suits your skin type. Not only will you be saving a lot of your time and money, but you will also be making a lot of space on your shelves without adding to the wastages.

Always recycle your beauty products as and when you finish using them. Wash the containers and store their lids and screw tops carefully. Adopt a simple beauty routine and enjoy your natural look.

The Benefits of Practising Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a remarkable tool that will allow you to understand, tolerate, and deal with your emotions in healthy ways. It helps to alter your habitual responses by pausing and choosing how you act. Here are 5 reasons why you should try mindfulness practice:

    1. Mindfulness improves mental focus and concentration. Our minds are consistently all over the place and burdened with lots of information. This can often affect our concentration and productivity, which may consequently limit performance in tasks. Previous research has revealed that mindfulness meditation, such as pace-breathing exercises, offers a great way to become more present at the moment. Indeed, a recent study published by Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience reported that there is a strong link between breathing patterns and the brains ‘focus’ network. At a physiological level, breathing rhythms affect the level of circulating noradrenaline, a naturally occurring chemical which is involved in regulating attention and focus.
    2. Mindfulness can help battle stress. Humans have a habit of overthinking, stressing out, and obsessing, which can have a negative influence on the way we feel. Practising mindfulness offers you the space to think differently about the stress and become more aware of your thoughts. Not only this, but it provides you with the opportunity to identify the root cause of your stress and identify ways to overcome this.
    3. Improves sleep quality. Given that mindfulness meditation provides useful stress relief, it is not surprising that it can also alleviate insomnia and improve the overall quality of life. A recent study published in JAMA internal medicine, involving 49 individuals with insomnia, found that mindfulness meditation over a 6-week period significantly improved their insomnia, fatigue, and depression. The ability for mindfulness practice to remediate sleep issues consequently improves the quality of life long-term.
    4. Practising mindfulness improves mental health. In the last decade, psychotherapists have turned to mindfulness meditation as an important component in the treatment of numerous mental health problems, including depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, couples’ conflicts, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Indeed, a recent large-scale systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions in healthcare, revealed that practising mindfulness significantly improved mental and physical symptoms of numerous conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, depression, anxiety disorders in both adults and children.
    5. Improves overall physical health. Not only does mindfulness improve mental health, but experts have also suggested that practising mindfulness can also improve physical health in a number of ways. Recent evidence has revealed that mindfulness can help treat heart disease, low blood pressure, and also alleviate gastrointestinal difficulties. Importantly, mindfulness meditation has been found to relieve chronic pain symptoms. Mindfulness meditation can be used to manage pain, which allows you to become aware and also acknowledge the sensations of pain. At any point, you can shift your attention to more pleasant sensations in your body or your surroundings.

Ways to practice mindfulness

By focusing on the present and allowing yourself to be grounded in what’s going on around you, mindfulness practice creates a harmony between the physical brain and consciousness. Here are 6 ways of practising mindfulness:

1. Mindful breathing

Breathing is an important technique which forms the foundation of mindfulness practice. Enhancing your awareness of this innate life-giving force can improve your life through a variety of ways, particularly by bringing your focus back to the present moment. This focus helps to deepen each breath, which therefore engages the relaxation response and reduces the production of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is widely recognised as a ‘stress hormone’, therefore by reducing it, this consequently helps to attenuate your experience of stress. Not only this, but mindful breathing helps to control neurotransmitters in the brain, which initiates the growth of neural connections, resulting in a steadier state of mind.

2. Practising yoga

Modern yoga is a physical activity which involves practising a large array of postures called asanas, connected by flowing sequences called vinyasas. A relatively recent form of yoga, Mindful Yoga, applies traditional Buddhist mindfulness teachings to the practice of yoga, as a way to cultivate greater awareness, consciousness, and remarkably improved quality of life. Mindful yoga is often accompanied by breathing exercises, which further help to achieve focus and control in the present moment.

3. Mindful listening

Listening is a socio-cognitive activity which is affected by our experience as well as our future expectations. Naturally, we have a tendency to listen more closely to information which is deemed ‘important’ and filter out irrelevant information. As a result, mindful listening allows you to be present and aware of the environment around you. Listening to colleagues, responding with questions and attempting to view situations from different perspectives, will consequently make you more mindful.

4. Mindful eating

According to The Centre for Mindful Eating, “Eating mindfully allows yourself to become aware of the nurturing opportunities that are available through selection and preparation of food, by respecting your own inner wisdom”. In simpler terms, mindful eating involves using all of your senses to choose to eat food that is both satisfying and nourishing to your body and acknowledging these responses without judgement. As a result, you will become increasingly aware of the physical hunger and satiety cues that guide your decisions to begin and end eating. 

5. Mindful walking 

Whether you’re moving between floors of a building, on a city street, or walking from one lecture to another, mindful walking is an opportunity to guide yourself out of the distracted autopilot mode. Walking meditation can be a formal practice, or it can be an informal act, for instance whenever you need to travel from point A to B. This technique allows you to completely immerse yourself in the surroundings, providing you with an opportunity to acknowledge aspects of the environment that you would normally miss. 

6. Start your morning with the right mindset

First, when you wake up, take a few deep breaths before getting out of your bed. This will give your brain an oxygen boost, which will help to get you out of bed and start afresh. Refrain from grabbing your phone immediately, and instead take a few minutes to visualize the day ahead. Rather than thinking about what happened the day before, focus your attention on what you want to achieve throughout the day, making sure you plan breaks to ensure you retain focus. You could even incorporate CBD-based products into your morning routine, whether this is CBD capsules or even CBD-infused coffee to provide you with an instant caffeine-kick! By repeating this morning routine daily, you set yourself up for a positive mindfulness experience throughout the day.

Reason to use CBD for mindfulness

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring, non-psychoactive compound extracted from the cannabis-based hemp plant. In recent years, there has been a surge in interest in CBD products, thanks to its diverse and effective therapeutic and medicinal applications. Indeed, a recent large-scale nationwide CBD survey reported that a remarkable 7.8 million UK adults (approximately 15% of the UK population) have bought CBD products in the past year alone. With this in mind, more practitioners of meditation and yoga have found that the calming and anti-anxiety effects CBD offers are beneficial for cultivating mindfulness. 

According to S.N Goenka, a renowned Indian Vipassana meditation teacher, there are two primary obstacles to successful mindfulness meditation. The first is an inability to retain full focus, and the second is worry or doubt. These issues can be easily circumnavigated with CBD.  Indeed, a recent study demonstrated that low doses of CBD resulted in increased alertness and focus. Not only does CBD increase alertness, but it also prevents hyperactivity in the brain. Given that CBD is capable of controlling the stream of intrusive thoughts that goes through our mind, it is not surprising that CBD can also help to reduce the occurrence of worry and doubt – providing important anxiolytic effects. Whilst CBD benefits provide you with greater control of your thoughts and worries, it is important to note that CBD is not a magical mindfulness supplement and therefore will not ‘cure’ pre-existing conditions. 

Another key obstacle to mindfulness practice is pain. Individuals who perform yoga as part of their mindful practice, often report leg cramps, joint pain and sore muscles – which can act as a deterrent to further practice. CBD-infused topical muscle creams provide an effective treatment for pain management following yoga practice, acting somewhat similarly to a painkiller.

What are the types of products infused with CBD available on the market?

CBD-infused products market ranges from oils to different types of CBD cream, vape juices and edibles. The most popular and versatile products that contain CBD include oils that are designed for sublingual use. The reason for their popularity is the fact that they have a very short activation time. Capsules, on the other hand, have a shorter onset time because they need to be digested first. However, due to the slow activation and the digestion process, they also stay activated in one’s body for a more prolonged period of time. Same goes for any edibles such as CBD gummies or CBD chocolates. The choice of a type of product depends entirely on your personal preferences, so do your research and choose for yourself what option to opt for.

CBD and its side effects

Like any substance, cannabidiol has side effects. The most common is dry mouth, which is due to the CBD inhibiting endocannabinoid receptors in the salivary glands, which therefore attenuates gland secretion. Other reported side effects include: 

  • Drowsiness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Diarrhoea
  • Tremors

However, it must be noted that these side effects are relatively rare. No evidence has suggested that CBD affects heart rate, blood pressure or body temperature, making it even more favourable to scientific researchers and health professionals. 

So far there has been little conclusive data on CBD and pregnancy. Given that CBD readily crosses the placenta and comes into contact with the fetus, many scientists have recommended that pregnant women should not take CBD. Until scientists better understand how CBD affects the growing baby, experts have suggested that it’s best to be cautious and avoid CBD during pregnancy.

Key takeaways on CBD and mindfulness

Mindfulness is the state of awareness when the body, its senses and the mind are working in harmony with one another in order to feel present in the moment. Many techniques such as breathing exercises, mindful walking and yoga provide a great way to practice mindfulness. Sizeable evidence has also revealed that CBD combined with mindfulness practice provides a greater awareness during and after practice – producing long-lasting positive effects on mental state. This is because CBD can help to achieve a more relaxed condition and a clear mind, which consequently helps to relieve anxiety, depression, stress and many other conditions. With this in mind, why not try CBD for mindfulness, and experience these effects for yourself.

How To Use CBD To Reduce Pandemic Anxiety?

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, 2020 brought a lot of change, and the everyday lives of many people around the globe began looking different. While stay-at-home orders are still in place, most individuals slowly but surely are trying to adapt to life with restricted conditions where self-isolation is part of our daily routine. No matter how well you handle these unprecedented times, the current state of the world, being stuck at home, and receiving constant reminders of the dangers toward your health, can lead to increased stress levels and overall anxiety. 

Luckily, you don’t have to accept this pressure and hard mental state, as your new normal. It’s a good time to consider using the help of natural supplements and pick up a CBD habit. Today, an increasing number of people are turning to use of CBD oil to provide relief in case of muscle pain and chronic aches, regulation of sleep quality, some good skincare, or peace of mind. With CBD products in your pocket, you will have something to reduce the stress associated with coronavirus, and lockdown can start to feel more manageable than ever before. So, let’s find out the best five ways to use CBD oil and alleviate stress & anxiety while staying at home.

Start Your Day On The Right Foot

If every morning becomes the most dreaded part throughout the day and seems like it controls you instead of the opposite, then creating a consistent routine can help to organise your time and cope with the stress. No matter what time you prefer to wake up, having a healthy morning can work wonders for your wellness and general well-being. A proper morning routine helps to centre your body and mind and change the full forecast of the upcoming day. 

Cannabidiol (or CBD) is a natural and generally safe remedy that is known as an effective stress-reducer and mood-booster. It’s known to interact with the endocannabinoid system to stimulate special receptors in the brain and regulate most body functions. Since the endocannabinoid system is involved in basic processes occurring in an organism such as sleep, stress, appetite, mood, immune system, pain, memory, temperature, and others, CBD oil can help to provide relief and support all elements in balance.

One of the best and tasty ways to create a grounding morning ritual is to use CBD as a complement to your well-balanced breakfast or add a few drops of oil to your beverages. It can be coffee, tea, smoothie, juice, or any drink of your choice to help you relax, decrease stress, and boost energy levels to take on the day. Just remember to research a few different CBD oils first to ensure that you are making the right choice for your needs. For example, if you live in the UK, researching the top rated CBD oil UK customers can buy can help you to narrow down your options.

Improve Your Focus

Whether it’s work or home-related activities, many people are struggling to concentrate while staying indoors. Feeling concerned, anxious, stressed out as well as being subjected to any type of pain can make it hard to think straight, be productive, motivated, and concentrated on work and what you are doing at this very moment. 

That is where CBD can come in handy. Diminishing pain, stress, and anxiety are one of the many potential benefits of CBD oil. By lowering stress levels, you are keeping your body out of all-consuming ‘fight-or-flight’ mode, which in turn helps to add more room for productivity and concentration. Also, CBD may help with hyperactivity and can act as a natural mood booster to maintain a more positive work environment and keep you in the zone while you are working. 

If you are into vaping, inhaling CBD vape oil is a potent and tasty way to get CBD before work or during work and receive beneficial effects faster due to the high bioavailability. Vaping CBD oil might help to perceive each moment and distract from negative thoughts to be less reactive and more proactive in case of challenging situations. You can use CBD vape cartridges, disposable/reusable vape pens, or add CBD vape oil, e-liquid, and vape additives in a tank which heats the CBD oil into a vapour to experience positive effects. 

Be Active & Meditate

Since the lines between work and home blur, it’s essential not to forget about self-care and save your focus toward your mental health by doing various activities intended to lower stress and promote wellness and happiness. Physical activity at any time of your day is a beneficial practice for good health and mental well-being. Despite the fact that gyms are closed, you can still do regular workout sessions and get good-body vibes indoors by using your room or any suitable place in your home. 

You can do a 30-minute yoga session, complete a free online workout video, take a jog and power-walk around the block, or even take part in a mini-dance party with your family members. A good idea to refer to daily meditation to create an overall sense of well-being, alleviate stress, and boost concentration. This technique is especially effective for rebooting your brain in the mornings to start your day in a calm state of mind and in the evenings to experience restful sleep.

No matter what activity you choose, you can improve your exercise regime, regulate mood swings, stimulate energy, stamina, and concentration by taking CBD. It can also help to decrease pain and inflammation, heal injuries, and speed up post-workout recovery to continue on your goals toward physical and mental health. 

Relax With Warm Bath

After a long and busy day full of various activities, incorporating time for relaxation can help to restore energy, relieve tension, and keep a person at his best. During this uncertain period, long soak in a bath tube is one of the pleasant and most satisfying methods to unwind. It can also contribute to more restful sleep, relief of muscle soreness, increased blood flow, and circulation. 

The benefits of a warm bath before bed can be doubled with the use of CBD oil. You can pour a couple of drops into your bath or just use read-made CBD bath bombs to pamper yourself. Such bath time softens the skin and provides relaxation and fatigue relief while diminishing the appearance of age lines and scars. The topical application of CBD allows beneficial components to penetrate through the skin layers and work together with cannabinoid receptors. Bath bombs are also typically loaded with aromatic essential oils to enhance benefits to your skin by soothing and moisturising it.

As an addition, you can create a mini-spa setting and integrate CBD into your skincare routine by using CBD creams, lotions, and face masks or simply by adding your CBD oil in your skincare products. Regardless of the chosen way to spend your relaxing time, CBD enriched products can offer a well-rounded experience while supplying CBD advantages that you seek.

Create Perfect Sleep Regimen

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for having the right start of your day. Lack of sleep might have a negative impact on your physical and mental health and flow-on effect on the rest of life. Furthermore, sleep deficiency can cause mood changes, weaken the immune system and lead to many chronic health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, strokes, and even cancer. 

As many people are subjected to different sleep disturbances such as insomnia, hypersomnia, and restless sleep,  try to build a calming routine before going to bed. Try to refrain from the use of a phone at least two hours prior to bedtime, read a book or listen to a relaxing playlist, and consider using CBD oil canada to calm mindset and fall asleep faster and easier. 

Consuming CBD oil before bed is a beneficial habit to improve sleep quality and enjoy better quality sleep. CBD is able to lower overactive thoughts and diminish anxiety, stress, and pain, which are the common triggers of troubles falling asleep. What’s more, the sublingual intake of CBD increases bioavailability and provides benefits quicker. Therefore, be sure to use oil or tincture before going to bed or keeping CBD products on your nightstand in case you can’t fall asleep faster. As a result, getting to bed early and sleeping from 7 to 9 hours per night can help to maintain optimum health, wake up earlier, enjoy sunlight, and also ensure you organism obtains needed vitamin D.

How to Fuel Yourself for a HIIT Workout

Leading a fast-paced urban life has inspired many people to turn to time-saving, explosive workouts that ensure health and fitness without spending hours at the gym. One category of those workouts is aptly named HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, which encompasses a wide range of exercises, it’s extremely flexible, and allows individuals to work out regularly, at home, and outside. 

Then the lockdown came, and even more fitness enthusiasts turned to HIIT as the perfect way to boost energy levels, grow strength, and stay healthy during these trying times. Now, if you’re new to this training method, it’s time to adapt your menu to have enough energy to perform these workouts safely, and stay energized afterward for all your daily chores. Here are a few ideas to implement!

Keep your water bottle close

You already know that your body largely consists of water, so it’s natural that medical professionals keep insisting that we should improve our hydration habits for the sake of our health. For HIIT specifically, water is vital to make sure that your muscles can withstand the effort you’re about to exert, and to recuperate properly afterward. 

The simplest way to hydrate more is to get a reusable water bottle and keep it nearby all day long. This doesn’t refer only to how much water you drink while you train. It’s key to keep hydrating properly during the day, so that you help your body recover and make the most of all the great nutrients you get through food. 

Refine your pre workout routine

If professional athletes trust supplements to improve their performance, why shouldn’t the rest of us, mere mortals, take advantage? With a little bit of research, you can find the most optimal pre workout supplements drink to add to your training routine, and thus boost your energy levels with all the right ingredients. 

You’ll notice that not only will you have ample energy for every rep in each session, but that you have better focus throughout the entire training, and that you can gradually improve your performance. Additionally, these drinks are designed to help your body recover more easily afterward, so pre workout additions can actually improve your post workout, too.

Don’t be stingy with those carbs

Now that we’re on the subject on post workout foods, many people who are looking to shed a few pounds with this powerful training system will steer clear of carbs. While this is a healthy approach when managed properly, there are also clear benefits to consuming healthy carbs in moderate amounts.

They help replenish your muscles’ glycogen stores, they help your body produce sustained energy for hours after your training, and they are found in fiber-rich foods, which is ideal for digestion. So, it’s good to turn to carbs but opt for healthy carbs such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. 

Make sure you eat plenty of protein

Depending on your lifestyle, whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or you eat dairy and meat, you can diversify your menu in such a way to introduce ample protein. This is a pivotal step in enhancing your HIIT workouts because protein keeps you feeling satiated for longer, it builds muscle, and it’s an essential macronutrient vital for all of your bodily functions, including your immune system.

You can tailor your menu by determining when you train. If you exercise first thing in the morning, the sheer intensity of your HIIT workout will make you feel nauseated if you eat heavy meals. Instead, save those proteins for after training to rebuild your muscles and to give you a sustained source of healthy energy for hours on end. 

Steer clear of sugar

Sometimes, it’s not about what you do consume, but more about what you leave out. While sugar cravings are very common, and you might find that a candy bar is a perfect way to get an immediate energy boost, it’s an unhealthy mechanism that doesn’t really solve the problem.

Instead, aim to reduce your processed sugar intake by kicking sodas, candy bars, and other store-bought treats. You can replace them with fiber-packed fresh fruit, which is also loaded with vitamins, enzymes, and minerals. Plus, when you make sure that you eat enough protein, you’ll reduce the cravings and feel full for longer. 

There you have it! Hopefully, these guidelines will help you revamp your nutrition and hydration in such a way that your workouts will be all the more effective. Plus, keeping an eye on what you eat and how much you eat will allow you to build a lean, strong physique, and to make the most of each HIIT session in your routine. 

Best Ways to Quit Smoking and Change Your Bad Habits

Were you one of those people who said they’ll try out cigarettes just to experience the feeling of smoking without fearing you’ll get addicted? You probably said you could quit whenever and you won’t even start smoking actively, but before you knew it, what used to be casual smoke or two, had soon become smoking 2 packs a day. The benefit you got from smoking, where it made you feel less stressed or anxious, isn’t doing you good after all. You’ve found one of the worst ways to cope with challenging situations, so it’s high time you chose the other way. Even though bad habits offer certain types of pleasure, it’s essential that you start breaking the habit and turn to the healthy side of life. It will be very challenging to eliminate the habit in the beginning, but with the following steps, it won’t be too much of a hassle.

Start by cutting back

Whether you’re trying to give up junk food, smoking or any other bad habit, you must start gradually. No habit was developed overnight which means you can’t expect to quit that quickly either. For start, try smoking 2/3 of what you ordinarily smoke every day. So, if you need a pack a day to keep you satisfied, let that one pack last for at least a day and a half. Keep it up for a day or two and then try to slowly smoke less and less. Eventually, you’ll notice that your need for cigarettes is declining. Moreover, you can find some more helpful ways to kick the awful habit of smoking for good by taking a look at the resources on the CFAH website.

Avoid the triggers

Dodging triggers that make you want to smoke is crucial when you decide to quit. If you think about it, you get the urge to smoke only on specific occasions, such as after a meal, when you’re taking a break from work and need to chat with colleagues, or when you’re stressed out. When you commit to quitting, do your best to avoid the situations in which you want to smoke. According to reports, smoking kills more people in New Zealand each year than road crashes, so be sure to stick to your plan. Instead of chatting with co-workers in a room full of smoke, go for a walk. When you need to blow off steam and destress, work out instead of lighting the cigarette.

Switch to e-cigarettes

One of the good alternatives to smoking tobacco is to switch to electronic cigarettes. They can help you smoke less frequently and won’t have as bad an influence on people around you, as regular cigarettes will. You can find numerous vape shops in NZ and pick out the best e-cigarette for you. E-cigarettes are not as addictive as cigarettes and are likely to eventually help you quit for good. 

Set yourself a specific date to quit

Another good strategy to help you quit smoking would be for you to set yourself a goal, and decide on what day you need to stop smoking for good. Whether it’s a three-month period or half a year, it doesn’t matter. All it matters is that you need to have a goal in front of you and strive towards achieving it. This will be especially beneficial if you’re competitive and you love to always win. What’s more, you should think about teaming up with a friend or family member who’s also on the road to breaking a bad habit and make a fun little competition out of it. Tell everyone that you’re going to quit smoking, throw away all the ashtrays and stashed cigarette packs from home, to get the feeling that you’re serious about your decision.

Replace smoking with new, better habits

One of the best ways to break a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. If you’ve spent hours smoking every day outside the house so you don’t pollute your home, you can spend that time with your family now.  Play with your children, bake with them or simply talk about the day you’ve had. When you feel the need to smoke, go for a run or a swim instead. Keep yourself busy and start a new hobby that will have your hands wrapped up in any kind of activity so you don’t reach out for cigarettes.

Try alternative therapy

Behavioral therapy is one of the great ways to quit smoking because nicotine addiction has been shown to be related to the typical behaviors involved in smoking. Behavioral therapy will help you learn the causes of your smoking, showing you the right coping skills and leading you in the right direction of quitting smoking. Hypnosis has also been shown to have positive effects on smokers, making them break the bad habit quickly.

Learn craving management

Cravings will be your worst obstacles on the way to cigarette-free life, but luckily, you can control them with several strategies. One of them is among the most effective tricks and it involves you finding an oral substitute for cigarettes. When cravings hit, pop a mint, nibble on a carrot or celery sticks, or have a chewing gum nearby. If your mind is wandering, it’ll easily find its way to a pack of cigarettes, so make sure you keep it going all the time. Have a book within arm’s reach, flip through the magazine, or start doing a crossword puzzle. Becoming more physically active will banish the need for cigarettes too. Start walking more, create your workout plan to fill in the time you used to spend smoking, and think about having your 5-minute breaks to do a series of lunges, squats, push-ups, or pull-ups. Every time you feel a craving coming along do a series of exercises. 

Final thoughts

Breaking a bad habit such as smoking will be anything but easy. However, if you’re determined to start leading a healthier life, you’ll have no other choice but to succeed in your mission. Start slowly and work your way towards the ultimate goal. Look for support in family and friends and you’ll soon find yourself free of the nasty vice.

9 Small Changes to Live a More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

It is crucial now more than ever for people to be more conscious of how their lifestyle affects the environment.

There are a lot of conveniences in our lives that make living a lot easier. Still, the consequence of that is that our environment deteriorates. In relation to this, many people want to have an eco-friendly lifestyle but are afraid of letting go of such conveniences.

What people don’t know is that it’s much easier to shift towards a sustainable lifestyle than they initially think.

There are a lot of small, environment-friendly changes that you can apply in your daily life. So, if you’re interested in making the shift, then here are nine small changes that you should consider applying to your life:

Refrain from using plastic

One of the things that you should stop using in your life would be plastic. Plastic takes a thousand years to decompose. However, its lasting adverse impact in the environment is not worth the wait.

You can find plastic covering ocean surfaces all over the world. Not to mention that plenty of animals fall victim to plastic. Either they mistakenly consume plastic as food or get tangled in it and end up dying because of it.

Reducing your plastic usage is going to help you reduce the number of plastic material left in trash dumps. You can reduce plastic usage in simple ways. One example would be to stop drinking water from plastic bottles. Bringing a reusable water bottle is a lot better.

Go paperless

We live in an increasingly digital age, so it makes sense for you to let go of paper and start going paperless. By reducing your paper usage, you help reduce the number of trees chopped down every year.

Going paperless won’t only benefit the tree; it will also benefit you in the long run. If your office or home office has a lot of paper inside then it can be a fire hazard. That’s because the paper is a combustible material. Plus, paper all over the office makes it less than attractive to look at anyway.

Converting your documents to digital form makes them a lot more convenient to access them anywhere and anytime.

Cut back on your meat consumption

Cutting back on meat consumption is usually the last thing people are willing to do for the welfare of the environment.

However, reducing meat consumption doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to completely cut it out of your life. All you need to do is be more conscious and deliberate when you consume meat.

Taking care of livestock requires a lot of lands and a variety of natural resources. Livestock requires tons of water to all sorts of chemicals that end up damaging the environment.

Reducing your meat consumption by once a week will be a massive impact in itself.

Switch to green cleaning products

The cleaning products that you use in your home are probably quite potent. You probably don’t think about how the harsh chemicals you use to clean your home could end in the environment when you wash it away.

If your cleaning products aren’t safe for you to be around in for a long time, what do you think happens when you wash it away?

Luckily, there are a lot of green cleaning products readily available commercially. You can find the green cleaning solutions in the same place you’re buying your current cleaning products.

Therefore, switching to green cleaning products is a minimal change that won’t change your way of life by a lot.

Cut down on energy usage

Cutting down on the amount of energy that you use in your home is another sustainable but straightforward change that you can adopt in your lifestyle.

There are a lot of simple changes that you can apply that allow you to cut down on energy usage. You can start by unplugging all the appliances that you aren’t using.

It would be best if you considered washing your clothes using colder water because washing machines use 85% of its energy to heat the water alone. While you’re at it, you might want to reduce your drier usage and off for drying your outfits on clotheslines instead.

Replace your lightbulbs

Replacing your old compact fluorescent light bulbs is going to help you be more energy efficient.

It’s better to use LED for any of your light fixtures because they use less energy and are brighter than your older light bulbs. They will also last longer than your older light bulbs, which will save you money in the long run.

Cloth over paper

Reduce your reliance on paper towels to wipe away the mess and spills in your home and use microfiber towels instead. You can even recycle an old shirt and cut it up to use as rags around the house.

Since you’re using a cloth to wipe these spills, you can wash the fabric instead of throwing them away and then use them again.

Reduce your travel carbon footprint

Instead of relying on cars to take you anywhere, you should use public transport. Using public transportation is a lot cheaper than using your vehicle. Aside from that, it doesn’t generate a lot of carbon footprint.

There are also alternatives, aside from public transport, to take you anywhere. Biking is a popular choice for many people because not only does it take you from point to point faster, but it’s also keeping you fit.

Caring for the environment starts with the smallest things – you don’t have to ditch your automobile and live in a hut running solar power. Instead, making small changes in every area of one’s life adds up to big changes for the environment as a whole.

Start recycling

Having a recycling bin inside your house makes it a lot easier for you to start recycling. You can also locate the nearest waste management facility to identify the places that could pick up your recyclables.

Recycling ensures that your garbage doesn’t end up in landfills. Instead, they end up finding a new life.

Having a more eco-friendly lifestyle can be intimidating if you’re only starting. However, as this article would show you, it’s simpler than you would initially believe. The smallest of changes can have the most significant impact. Hence, if you’re intimidated by completely renewing your lifestyle, you can start by applying these small changes instead.

About the Author

Jacky Xu is the Chief Operating Officer for Maid Sailors Cleaning Service Chicago. Maid Sailors take pride in providing unparalleled cleaning services at affordable prices. Maid Sailors help transform your house into a home.

9 Eco Friendly Beauty Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Using eco-friendly products in your beauty routine does not mean you are really contributing to protecting our planet as there are several other considerations and changes you need to bring in your daily beauty routine to become more environmentally friendly. We have discussed a few below.

1. Use Less Water

Instead of washing your face by letting the water run as you splash it on your face, use a sponge or washcloth. This will not just help clean the product off your face but also help in exfoliating your skin and removing dead cells.

2. Reduce the Use of Plastic

Most beauty products come in plastic bottles that we throw away after using them. Instead of buying another bottle of the same product, get the refill packs, and use the same bottle to reduce your plastic consumption.

3. Read the Product Labels

Do not blindly buy any product but question it by reading the label carefully. You should check the ingredients of the product and google it to find out if that is detrimental to our planet. Just because a product calls itself eco-friendly does not mean it really is, it could just be a marketing tactic.

4. Use Recyclable Packaging

Opt for cosmetic products that use recyclable packaging. There are several sustainable brands that take care of such issues, stick to those brands to reduce the landfills.

5. Use Multi-Purpose Products

It is really simple, the lesser number of products you use, you will save on packaging which means less wastage. But 2 in 1 product such as foundation and powder in one. You will save money as well as save the environment.

6. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

A lot of beauty products consist of petroleum derivatives like lotions and lip balms. We know how consumption of such gas can affect our environment negatively. Avoid using any product that uses this ingredient.  There are other ways you can reduce your carbon footprint such as using an eco-sauna made up of wood which is sustainable. Which kind of eco-certified wood is best for a sauna? Well, probably Cedar or Nordic spruce could be used for an eco-sauna, but there are several other options you can consider.

7. Make Homemade Beauty Products

If you are into DIY, you will find several great ideas of creating beauty care products on your own. These are more natural and better for your skin than the market bought products.

8. Simplify Your Skincare Routine

Following a lengthy skincare routine using multiple products is not the only way to go. You can simply stick to the basic which is using a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer and that is enough to maintain healthy skin.

9. Ration Your Product Usage

It is easy to overuse the products. How many times you had to wash your hands because you squeezed out excess moisturizer for the bottle? Be mindful of the amount of product you use so you can use it for a longer time.

The tips we have shared are just small changes to your beauty routine but if we all make the efforts to incorporate these tips in our daily routine, imagine the difference it will make to reduce the carbon footprint and save mother earth.

How to Maintain a Healthy Garden – 7 Useful Tips

If you are a nature lover like me, then why not create a beautiful garden in your backyard, especially if you have the space for gardening? A garden not just uplifts the aesthetic appeal of the house but also gives you your own zen area to relax. Gardening is a hobby you need to develop as there is a lot of work involved to maintain a beautiful garden. We have discussed a few tips below to help you keep it clean and healthy.

1. Learn Thoroughly About the Plants You Choose

Each plant has different sunlight, nutrients, and water requirements. You cannot water all the plants equally and a few plants may need extreme sunlight whereas others may die if exposed to extreme sunlight. Do thorough research about all the plants you choose for your backyard to make sure you are taking the best care of them.

2. Maintain Proper Spacing

Make sure to maintain adequate distance between the plants as the roots need space to spread. If plants are placed in a crowded manner then the plants will grow poorly as they would compete for water, nutrients, and light.

3. Prune the Damaged Limbs Timely

It is essential to prune the damaged parts of the plant. If not, the plant will divert all its energy and most nutrients to the damaged part in order to salvage it which may affect the health of the entire plant. A wounded limb is also prone to disease that may spread to the entire plant. Make sure you have the proper tools, such as a limb saw, and make clean cuts that heal rapidly.

4. Use Fertilizers Carefully

It is obvious that you will have to use fertilizers in order to give your plants the essential nutrients, but then you need to be careful about choosing the right fertilizer for your plants. All your plants may need different nutrient combinations to grow better, and using the wrong fertilizer can burn the roots. To avoid these, get a soil test done by a local agency to get the information about nutrient levels and the soil so you know your next steps.

5. Fence Your Garden

An open backyard without a fence is never a good idea as critters, strays and even wild animals like deers can be attracted by the plants you are growing and soil your entire garden. Especially young plants are more prone to danger if not protected from these animals, hence fence your entire garden using metal fencing material to protect it from all large animals and small critters.

6. Treat for Bugs and Insects

Keep checking your plants for any infestation as insect damage is common in plants and if not treated can spread to other plants. There are chemical sprays available for different types of bugs and insects, although dangerous pesticides such as Roundup can cause adverse health effects. Make sure to consult with a professional before using any chemicals to treat your plants.

7. Keep it Clean and Tidy

An untidy garden will promote the growth of insects and germs, hence occasionally clean the garden to save your plants and also create a beautiful-looking garden for you to enjoy.

Plants are essential parts of our ecosystem and the more we can plant trees, the lesser our carbon footprint will be. Hence consider taking up gardening as your new hobby as it is not just good for you but the entire planet.

How to Practice Sustainability when Working From Home

If you’re among those who are learning to work from home all of a sudden, then all of your normal routines have probably flown out the window. You may be eating different types of foods, trying to keep your kids entertained, educated, and fed while you work remotely, and trying to manage your mental and physical health.

One thing that can easily get neglected as you change routines, though, is sustainability. We can’t forget that in addition to living in a world experiencing a pandemic, we’re also still battling climate change and its disastrous consequences.

So how can you find balance? How can you stay sustainable, safe, and productive when working from home? Here are some tips to get you started.

Before You Stock the Shelves with Sustainable Food, Make Sure Your Kids Aren’t Allergic!

With grocery stores experiencing shortages, your normal options for feeding your family might not be accessible. If you’re trying to stock your shelves with sustainable food, you might be looking at new products and meal solutions for feeding a house full of people three meals a day.

It’s important to remember, though, before you add a bunch of new sustainable food to your shelves, to check for allergens that might affect your family. About 7.6% of children have a food allergy in the United States, and some of them experience severe reactions. Not only are allergic reactions to food very scary, but medical care can be more difficult to access during a pandemic.

Healthy food is important for wellness in your household, but so is safety. Research products before you buy them and keep an eye out for the eight most common allergens that affect children. You don’t want to buy a bunch of food only to find your family can’t eat it. That’s not sustainable at all!

Support Companies That Are Sustainable and Socially Responsible

Companies are facing enormous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many small businesses are unlikely to survive the sudden loss of income caused by social distancing.

In these desperate times, it’s more important than ever to support businesses that practice effective corporate social responsibility and commit to sustainability. Without support from consumers, they may not be able to bounce back once things start to return to normal.

Show your support by shopping from your favorite sustainable businesses online or buy gift cards for future use. You can also help by encouraging friends and families to shop from these kinds of businesses as well.

Every Work Space Needs Plants – Just Make Sure Your Watering Practices Are Sustainable

Working from home can be tough, especially when you’re not used to it. One of the ways you can make your workspace and home brighter is by adding some sustainable decorations, like plants. Plants can help improve your mood and can even spice up your meals if you choose edible varieties.

With that said, it’s important to make sure that you’re caring for your plants sustainably, both indoors and out. Reducing your dependency on the hose and tap to water your plants is a smart solution for you and the planet. Consider putting up a rain barrel or even just a few small containers outside for collecting water that you can use to keep your plants happy and healthy.

Consider Practicing an Eco-Sabbath

If you’re feeling helpless about practicing sustainability, then it can really help to regain some sense of control, even if just for a day (or an hour). An eco-Sabbath is a predefined period of time where you avoid using resources. This includes anything that runs on electricity (and electricity, period), cooking (which uses energy), and purchasing.

Eco-Sabbaths might not be realistic for your family, but they can be a great way to pause and reflect while reducing your impact at least a little bit. Try a short Sabbath at first and work your way up to a day-long Sabbath once a week. It’s an opportunity not only to use fewer resources, but to read, write, and spend time with your family while shutting out electronics and other distractions.

Sustainability, Uncertainty, and a New Way of Life

The pandemic has upended life as we know it, and there’s a lot of uncertainty in our world right now. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on sustainability, though. Think of the wins—you’re probably driving less, eating out less, and spending less by working from home—all of which helps the environment. The economic impact may be devastating, but the silver lining might be a more sustainable world for a little while.