2020 was quite a year, especially since most of us were stuck at home for a large part of it. But, being stuck at home opens your eyes- we don’t know about you, but it’s made us want to work on ways to live a more sustainable life. Living and maintaining an eco-friendly lifestyles takes effort, but not that much. The more you learn about the issues that affect our beautiful planet, the more determined you will be to make sustainable choices on a daily. That doesn’t mean you have to change your lifestyle completely, but every little change counts.

 

Here are 3 ways to live a more sustainable life in 2021. 

Use a different mode of transportation

You create about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide when you drive to and from work, which ends up releasing into the atmosphere each year- leading to the greenhouse effect, causing global warming. Do your part by making use of public transport, scheduling a carpool with your friends or co-workers, you can even walk or ride a bike if you’re in close distance to your work place. This isn’t just healthy for the environment, it’s healthy for you as well.

Shop locally and eat seasonally for your groceries

Shop from your local farmers' market to get fresh food items that were grown naturally without adding waste or carbon emissions to the environment. You’ll be eating healthier and supporting the community. Eat fruits and vegetables that are seasonal, as you’ll be eating the farm-to-table lifestyle which means you’ll be buying foods that were harvested recently by the local farmers. Not only will the foods be tastier, but you’ll be helping the environment as well.

Make use of eco-friendly products around your home

Most of the products that we use at home to clean the house, wash our clothes, or do the dishes contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Especially chemicals like detergents, foaming agents, and preservatives. Instead, switch to products that make use of sustainably grown ingredients rather than ingredients that are synthetic so that they don’t harm the planets eco-system. These eco-friendly products are also beneficial to people that have weak immune systems and health conditions as they pose less health risks. After starting to work alongside SaveMoneyCutCarbon last year, we have been making small steps in our sustainable swaps journey and being a member of their Home Club means we get regular updates on the positive impact we can all make. 

Right then, I am off to use my EcoCoconut Scourer and Ocean Saver cleaning products to get this house clean! 

 

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2020 saw the advent and popularization of a new way of working; remotely. Although some people had exposure to working from home, this was a new system to others. Many started experiencing burnout signs. Burnout is when you feel exhausted emotionally, physically, and mentally that it inhibits how you operate. This exhaustion can take a toll on your professional and personal life. Here's how to understand if you are having burnout signs while working from home and how to deal with them.

Physical signs

Are you constantly feeling tired, lots of back pain, strain in your eyes, pain in the neck? Are you feeling nervous or having stomach upsets all the time? Does fatigue always set in when you think about seating behind your computer to work? Chances are that you may be having burnout.

Mental and Emotional signs

Are you feeling angry all the time, irritable at your loved one? Are you feeling disconnected from those you love or finding it hard to hold and maintain a conversation? Do you keep procrastinating your work without a good reason? You might be experiencing burnout.

How can you manage this burnout?

The first step towards the management of any problem is by acknowledging that the problem exists. Working from home burnout is a real problem that could have adverse implications on your personal and professional life. Once you understand how it makes you feel and operate, there are several strategies you can apply to manage the issue.

1.      Ask for support

Maybe you have too much to do around the house, the sheer thought of these obligations overwhelm you. Ask for assistance from your family members. Maybe all it takes is having a certain obligation taken away from you. A supportive environment is a critical element for a wholesome mental state.

2.      Take a break

If possible, take a moment away from working from home so that you can rejuvenate. During this break, stay away from work-related activities. Find something that makes you happy. Take a walk, watch a movie, sing, dance, or engage in some activity that delivers happiness to you. Have a 'me time' to decompress before you get back to work.

3.      Exercise

Sports and exercise activities release the 'feel-good' hormones. When you are feeling stressed, take a short break and engage in a short physical activity. Repeat this exercise frequently throughout the day.

4.      Talk about it

A problem shared is a problem half-solved. If you have close confidants, talk about what you are feeling. They may be having ideas on how to make it easier. If you have burnout because you have too much work, ask your company to lessen the workload or allow for more time to finish the work. Some companies have offered excellent training and resources to support their employees during these trying times.

5.      Replicate the office environment

Some people find it easier to work in an office setup. Since you are working from home, this becomes a challenge. They may now know how to manage their time or organize themselves accordingly. Create a specific space within your home and designate this as your office. Every time you are in this space your mind is triggered to treat it as you would a normal office set up. This may help you avoid burnout and increase your productivity levels.

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Lockdown has completely changed how we live our lives, but it can be seen as an opportunity to stay home and save money. We are undoubtedly spending less money going out but it is easy to spend money on Amazon or online stores, so we have put together some handy tips to help you save your pennies for your future lifestyle, while saving lives by staying at home. 

1. No matter how much you are currently saving per month, be it £50, £ 100, or more, make a conscious effort to save a little more. If you can, try to double the amount you save. Of course, you can always dip in this pot when needed, but hopefully, this is not a requirement, and you will have a few extra pennies to enjoy once the lock is removed. There are numerous modest methods to mark savings as well as an investment a part of your ordinary life. A Terramundi pot is a simple way to add loose change or pound coins and you have to smash it to get access, so not so easy to dip into. 

2. If you are craving your favorite takeout but are just off or don't want to spend a lot of money on food, consider making your own "fakeaway" at home. Not only is it likely to be cheaper, but it is also a great way for couples and families to hang out together, and it is probably a healthier version as well. While many gyms across the UK have consistently cancelled membership, there are currently other ways to cut costs, including temporarily suspending their sports membership, from calling Sky to suspending monthly subscriptions.

3. If you can't resist shopping online for door-to-door delivery, be sure to look for discount codes, deals, and cash-back deals before checking out. However, it is important to resist the urge to motivate yourself. Right now, we are all in a time of uncertainty, and it would be wise to be a little prudent about our frivolous expenses. 

4. Pay with cash. There is so much talk about a cashless economy but spending physical cash always make you think about how much you are spending, much more than when you are swiping or tapping a card to purchase.

Lockdown in the UK has become part of life at the moment but saving habits can last through the lockdown and beyond. If you are consistent.

Good luck! 

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There is obvioulsy a lot of concern and talk about viruses right now and boosting your immune system is one of the best ways to protect yourself from illnesses, especially common colds and the flu. The immune system is our defense system against all external attacks: viruses, bacteria, etc. It is made up of complex interactions between the organs and cells of our body. A well-functioning defense system allows our body to effectively fight against colds, flu, and all winter ailments. Below we have mentioned some important tips to boost our immunity.

1.  Zinc

It is recommended to take 75 mg of zinc for 7 days. This will cut the duration of a cold by half, provided you start treatment immediately after the first symptoms appear. Zinc is found in foods rich in protein such as shellfish, liver, egg yolk, whole grains; in 100gr of meat, there is 3mg of zinc. Zinc is not stored in our body, which is why it may be beneficial to take it as a food supplement.

2. Immunostimulating plants: Echinacea

It is the first plant recommended by herbal medicine doctors in the prevention of infections and recurrences. Native to North America, Echinacea is one of the most important medicinal plants. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system. It can prevent and treat infections. It boosts our immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells. Taking Echinacea reduces the risk of winter infections by 58%. Echinacea reduces cold symptoms from 1 to 4 days. Echinacea associated with vitamin C reduces cold symptoms by 86%. It is advisable not to extend the cures for more than 10 days. If the immune system is stimulated for a long time, it could either become exhausted or become tolerant to this stimulation. Echinacea exists in different forms suitable for each person. 

3. Reduce the stress level

Scientific studies have confirmed that chronic stress can actually interfere with the proper functioning of the immune system. The secretions of cortisol (the stress hormone) in excess and over time thus weaken the immune system.

4. Practice regular physical activity

Regular physical activity reduces stress hormones but also boosts immune defenses during and after exercise. The result: less risk of contracting a virus, but also less severe symptoms and faster healing in case of infection. Be careful, however: practiced to excess, sport is likely to exhaust the immune system.

5. Sleep well

The tiredness and lack of sleep weaken the body. Thus, people with poor quality sleep would be more vulnerable to infections with a weaker immune response than good-quality sleep.

6. Eating & drinking

Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and drink about 2 liters of water or tea a day. For a strong immune system, vitamin C is of central importance.

7. Avoid defense killers

Avoid alcoholic beverages, large amounts of caffeine, and stop smoking.

8. Gut health

An intact intestinal flora ensures a safe defense. A large part of the immune system is formed here.

9. Soak up the sun

Soak up the sun and boost vitamin D3 production in the skin. If there is no sun, Vitamin D supplements are a good alternative.

10. Movement

Endurance training increases stress resistance and strengthens the immune system. Walking or walking for 30 minutes every day, boosts your immune system.

We know that not all viruses can be avoided but taking a healthy approach to your general lifestyle can certainly help and keep your body in a better position to fight anything that comes your way.

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