Holistic Approaches To Anti Aging

Holistic approaches to anti-aging are not new. For thousands of years people in Eastern cultures have viewed lifestyle and self-care to be essential in facilitating a healthy aging process.

 

Today, it is very much worth your while to consider holistic approaches for various reasons. Unlike conventional anti-aging approaches, which involve the use of anti-aging creams, serums, or even drastic measures such as cosmetic surgery, holistic approaches aim to target and heal the problem that is at the root of the aging process. This contrasts with traditional anti-aging approaches, in which it is usually just the symptoms of the aging process that are treated. 

 

This is consistent with the approach holistic medicine takes towards treating any illness, and that is to evaluate the entire and treat the entire person, including body, mind, and spirit.

 

Basically, holistic approaches to anti-aging involve slowing down the repercussions of aging in the human body by addressing key elements believed to play a significant role in unhealthy aging and ensuring the patient is returned to or kept at an optimal state of health and wellness.

 

Holistic approaches to anti-aging are based on various facts. According to holism, it is not possible to remove the evidence of aging by focusing on just one of the areas of your body on which aging has evidently taken its toll. To eliminate the effects of aging you must analyze your entire body's condition, and consider the health of mind, body, and spirit.

 

Factors That Cause You To Age

 

Stress, diet and sleep all affect your appearance and the rate at which you age. These factors may cause your skin to look unhealthy. 

 

Free Radicals

 

Free radicals are an indirect cause of aging. This is because they cause inflammation in the human body, which, in turn, may lead to accelerated and unhealthy aging.

 

In order to prevent free radicals from damaging the body, you must consume foods that contain large amounts of antioxidants, which are nutrients that fight the effects of free radicals. 

 

Whole Foods Highest In Antioxidants:

 

Most Antioxidants

 

• Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries and Strawberries        
• Kidney, pinto and black beans 
• Cranberries   
• Artichokes 
• Prunes           
• Apples: Red delicious, Granny Smith and Gala 
• Pecans           
• Sweet cherries         
• Black plums 
• Potatoes 
• Plums             

 

You could also combat the damage caused by free radicals by supplementing your diet with vitamins B, C, zinc, and magnesium. 

 

To maintain a youthful appearance it is highly recommended to drink large quantities of water. By drinking water, you are not only re-hydrating your body. Water also improves skin elasticity, and reinforces healing collagen, which will slow the manifestation of wrinkles, and sagging. 

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

In order to function correctly, your body needs essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are fats that are healthy for you, and they aid the cells to function correctly and support heart health. Heart disease is the #1 killer of American men and women, and it is a leading cause of death in other countries around the world. 

 

Prevention is key to remain healthy and keep heart disease at bay through our older years. Furthermore, fatty acids support skin health. 

 

Foods Highest In Fatty Acids:

 

Grains and Nuts

 

• Bread
• Cereal
• Flaxseed
• Peanut butter
• Oatmeal
• Pumpkin seeds
• Walnuts

 

Fresh Produce 

 

• Parsley
• Kale
• Spinach
• Brussels sprouts
• Mint
• Watercress

 

Fatty Fish 

 

• Halibut
• Herring
• Trout
• Fresh Tuna 
• Mackerel
• Oysters
• Salmon
• Sardines

 

Foods Fortified With Omega-3s

 

• Eggs
• Milk
• Juice
• Soy milk
• Yogurt

 

Oils

 

• Flaxseed oil
• Soybean oil
• Walnut oil
• Canola oil
• Cod liver oil

 

Poor Blood Circulation

 

Poor blood circulation is another factor that causes you to age. Practitioners of holistic medicine often employ cayenne pepper to boost circulation. Cayenne pepper enables blood to circulate more freely by dilating the blood vessels, thus carrying necessary oxygen and nutrients through the body. 

 

Cayenne pepper has additional benefits as well: it strengthens your immune system and thins blood, reinforces the heart and regulates blood pressure and palpitations. 

Stress Reduction

 

One of the most important elements in holistic medicine is reducing stress. Stress effects the whole body and causes imbalance that leads to disease and overall ill health, and may greatly accelerate the aging process.  

 

In holism, stress reduction is seen as central to healthy aging, and is considered a proactive effort. 

 

Meditation, relaxation exercises, yoga, and aromatherapy are often recommended to get stress under control. All of these tactics help to provide healing to the mind, body, and spirit and offer a balanced state for those who seek to improve their overall mental and physical wellness through younger and aging years.

 

Exercise

Working out also helps to preserve general health, thus ensuring that you age slower and healthier. Peak physical fitness means the body is in its best shape and able to keep you strong and healthy.

 

Physical exercise boosts the rate of your metabolism, which ensures healthy weight management through the aging years, something of utmost importance since metabolism naturally slows as we age and weight gain becomes more probable. Consequently, your body will not be strained by overweight and obesity, and the aging process will be slowed down. 

 

Bottom Line

 

In conclusion, there are numerous holistic approaches to reducing the rate at which you age and to remain in optimal health through the aging years. 

 

Holistic approaches never just address symptoms of specific health problems, but instead aim to return or keep the patient in a state of balanced health between mind, body, and spirit. Holism targets overall wellness, and when we are well, we only get better with age.

 

5 Ways To Eat Healthier Even For The Very Busy

It can be a real challenge for busy people to eat healthy and nutritious meals. There is of course the time issue – just not enough time in the day for shopping, preparation, and cooking. This means that busy people often eat ready-made meals, which are high in fat, salt and sugar content. Then there is the fact that very often, busy people will go to restaurants more often and eat out more often, especially at fast food establishments. This of course, means eating foods high in fat and calories and lacking in the nutrients the body needs.

 

It is possible, though, for very busy people to eat healthier. Eating healthy will actually make a person more productive at his work. So, healthy eating habits should be considered to part of a person's work schedule. 

 

What are 5 ways that very busy people can eat healthier?

 

Always have breakfast. This is often the most skipped meal in the day, but it is the most important meal. Skipping breakfast can lead to weight problems and diabetes. 

 

What constitutes a great, healthy breakfast? Foods rich in fiber. Fiber rich foods make the feeling for being full last much longer, therefore reducing the tendency to snack. Foods like whole oats oatmeal, whole grain cereal, fruits, and vegetables. 

 

Protein from eggs is also a great way to nutrify the body in the morning.

 

Foods with high sugar content and low fiber (doughnuts and pastries) should be avoided. 

 

Plan ahead. As a busy person, you will be used to planning in advance to get things done. You would never think about going into an important meeting without planning. Eating healthy requires the same planning. When should this be done? Of course, everyone's schedule is different, but it should be possible to use some time in the week to plan for meals. 

 

Weekends could be good days to use some time to prepare and plan meals. Remember to also plan your snacks, and make sure that you have healthy options. For this, plastic containers are a must. 

 

If possible, try to shop for groceries online and have them delivered to your home or workplace. This saves a lot of time shopping. Of course, any shopping has to take into consideration healthy foods. Choose whole grains, fresh produce, and lean fresh meats.

 

Even the busiest people can take advantage of the many markets that sell prepared baked chicken, to save cooking time and have a source of healthy protein on hand.

 

Keep hydrated. A healthy body requires fluid. Make sure that you have plenty of water with you if your place of work doesn't have a water cooler. Drink water frequently during the day. Don't overdo the coffee intake. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and remember that fruit juices are often high in sugars and low in fiber. 

 

Eat healthily at restaurants. When at restaurants choose the healthy options. Many menus now have the calorie total for each meal and this can be a good guide. If there are no calorie guides then stick to this rule of thumb: meats should be grilled, potatoes boiled or mashed and vegetables steamed. Soups are good for entrees and for deserts choose fruits. 

 

Be careful with alcohol. Many use alcohol to wind down after work and it is tempting to join with work colleagues after work. While an occasional glass of wine won't do any harm (and some studies even show that there are health benefits), you need to remember that alcohol is just empty calories. The over consumption of alcohol can also have a negative impact on health in general. 

 

Even though you have a very hectic and busy work schedule, it doesn't mean that your health has to suffer. The 5 top tips for a healthier lifestyle here are very easy to implement. It just takes a bit of forethought and planning. Taking care of your health will result in a more productive day's work and a longer life! 

Alternative And Herbal Remedies To Quit Smoking

Nicotine addiction is a serious condition and is one that is very difficult to let go of. Smokers who try to quit find that the withdrawal can be unbearable and so any type of aid that can ease the transition is not only helpful, but, can greatly improve the chances of success.

 

Here are some all natural and alternative remedies that can help. The best advice one can offer to those quitting smoking is to try everything and anything to rid yourself of this cancer causing addiction and to become cigarette free.

Acupuncture

 

Every year, smoking alone kills approximately 5 million people all over the world, according to World Health Organization (WHO). Acupuncture is an alternative form of medicine that can help one to quit smoking. 

 

For some, the thought of acupuncture, conjures images of excruciating pain caused by needles being inserted into various delicate points of the body, not a pretty picture for the squeamish.

 

As much as the word “acupuncture” conjures up such distressful images, rest assured that acupuncture needles are completely different from syringe needles to the point of being painless when inserted into the body. They are hair-thin needles made to shallowly prick the skin at specific points in the body, and the entire process is pain free. 

 

To help smokers to reduce their smoking or even to quit smoking, presuming they’re motivated to do so, acupuncture needles are inserted into multiple points in the ear. Those needles remain there for about 20 minutes. 

 

Amid sessions, acupuncturists use transparent tapes to affix tiny metal balls -- identical to that used in a ball point pen -- to the acupuncture points of the prospective quitters’ ears. They are instructed to lightly press those balls whenever yearning for smoking sets in. The gentle pressing of the balls stimulates respective acupuncture points.

 

A study, involving 141 participants, drew a conclusion that acupuncture plus education was four times more effective than acupuncture alone. Acupuncture is also commonly used for stress relief and relaxation, and of course, this can be indispensable when quitting smoking.

 

Hypnotherapy

 

The Cochrane Collaboration, a not-for-profit network of health practitioners, conducted a study in 2000 to gauge the efficacy of hypnotherapy in quitting smoking. 

 

The study concluded that hypnotherapy was not as effective as counselling therapy because it did not have any greater effects on 6 month quit rates than the other treatment methods or no treatment at all.

 

However, half a decade later in 2006, two studies showcased more promising results. The first study assigned a group of participants to hypnotherapy sessions. These participants had 1 hypnotherapy sessions once per week for 8 weeks, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. 

 

In week 8, at the end of the treatment, the rate of smoking cessation for the hypnotherapy group was 40%; 60% in week 12 after treatment, and 40% in week 26 after treatment. Even after 1 year, the quit rate was 60% for those who had the hypnosis treatment. 

 

Hypnosis is a very viable form of alternative medicine that is used not only for smoking, but, for weight loss, relaxation and motivation. It is definitely worth a try in your quitting efforts.

 

Meditation And Relaxation

 

One of the biggest obstacles to quitting smoking is the anxiety that results from nicotine withdrawal and this is where meditation and relaxation exercises can be of great help. Never underestimate the power of the mind in dictating what happens in the body. 

 

There are various relaxation CD’s that can be of great help, and also visualization and mindful meditation that can allow you to take your mind to another place, a peaceful journey that can alleviate anxiety and calm you as your body withdraws from cigarettes. 

 

Herbs That Help To Quit Smoking

 

Lobelia

 

The herb lobelia is used in many anti-smoking products, mainly because, lobeline, the herb’s active ingredient has similar effects on human body as nicotine. 

 

Studies have found that lobeline increases the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine in human brains, much in the same way cigarettes do. Dopamine is responsible for producing feelings of pleasure. 

 

Lobelia is a toxic herb; therefore it must be used only when prescribed by a qualified doctor, holistic medical practitioner, or trained herbalist. 

 

The herb’s toxicity, depending on the dosage variants, can cause several physical conditions, from dry mouth to convulsions to coma, and even death. What is more, people with heart conditions and high blood pressure, expectant mothers, nursing women and children should never use lobelia.  

 

St. John’s Wort

 

As much as St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is used to treat depression, some preliminary studies have validated the herb’s efficacy in smoking cessation. 

 

To put it into perspective, one study required all participants, who smoked at least one cigarette a day, to take 450 mg of St. John’s Wort twice a day parallel to taking anti-smoking counselling. At the end of 12 weeks, 9 out of 24 participants quit smoking, an impressive 37.5% cessation rate.

 

While not all studies had positive results, more than 24 studies have found that the herb was able to significantly reverse depressive moods, and that it can help with post-cessation emotional disorientation.

 

Up until now, all standard St. John’s Wort extract supplements were known to contain 0.3% of the active ingredient hypericin. A recent study suggests that another compound, hyperforin, found in the herb could be the reason why St. John’s Wort works as an antidepressant. 

 

On a cautionary note, St John’s Wort has the tendency to interfere with some prescription and over the counter drugs, such as, other antidepressants. HIV and AIDS treatment drugs, drugs to prevent organ rejection for transplant patients, and contraceptives. 

 

It is never recommended for pregnant or nursing women, kids, those suffering from liver or kidney disease and those with bipolar disorder.

 

Ginseng

 

Nicotine releases neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain and causes smokers to experience the feeling of pleasure, which, results in addiction. Ginseng prevents nicotine-induced release of dopamine, however, no concrete research has been carried out to establish the herb as an anti-smoking agent. Evidence does exist, however, that Ginseng can help.

 

Ginseng can help with side effects as both Asian (Panax ginseng) and American (P. quinquefolius) ginseng -- the former more aptly called “adaptogen” -- can help the body to deal with and adapt to the physical and mental stresses of quitting smoking. 

 

Ginseng’s positive effect on the brain is implicit. However studies have found that regular intake of ginseng significantly reduces reaction time to visual and auditory stimuli; increases respiratory quotient; enhances alertness, concentration and improves visual and motor coordination. All of which can become impaired during withdrawal from nicotine.

 

One criterion to select from the many ginseng products on the market is to pick the one that has been standardized to 4 to 7% ginsenosides. The next step is to follow the instructions on the label. Both standardized extracts and whole ginseng root will produce the most desired benefits. 

 

A daily dose of 1 or 2 grams of ginseng can be ingested by nibbling on the end of one root, which is soft and easy to digest. You can easily keep a root handy in a place of your choice, such as, in a car or in a drawer of your desk, and start nibbling whenever you feel like it.

 

Milk Thistle

 

The Liver plays an important role in filtering out the toxins created by smoking, it is, therefore, crucial to ensure that it functions properly. Seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) can be used to produce extracts that support healthy liver functions. 

 

Silymarin, at 70% concentration, is central to standardized milk thistle extract. Studies prove that standardized extract of milk thistle changes the liver’s outer cell and prevents toxic chemicals from entering the liver’s inner cells. 

 

The extract also elevates the liver’s capacity to create new cells, which, activates the liver-specific antioxidants. These antioxidants then eliminate the notorious oxygen radicals residing in the liver.

 

A standardized milk-thistle product should be able to administer a total of 420 milligrams of silymarin over three doses per day. Upon experiencing the expected result, which, should occur in 6 to 8 weeks, the dose can be reduced to 280 milligrams per day. 

 

Apart from loose stools, no side effects are reported with the intake of milk-thistle extract.

 

Herbal Smoking Mixtures 

 

Coltsfoot is a traditional smoking herb. It can be found as the basis of many smoking blends. Smoking herb can serve as an alternative to smoking conventional tobacco, the latter containing tar and harmful additives. Coltsfoot helps in curing inflamed lung tissue, loosening secretions, and toning the lungs.

 

Herbs That Ease Nerves 

 

Herbs that are mildly sedating have two-fold benefits: they soothe nerves and curb nicotine withdrawal. Green oats are believed to have both sedating and tonic effects on the nervous system.

 

The post-cessation period will invariably call upon a varying degree of anxiety and panic attacks. While in such a state, passion flower can be used as a remedy.

 

Mood swings and depression brought on by smoking cessation can be cured by kava kava, which, is an effective antidote to such emotional disorientation. 

 

Anxiety that follows immediately after you give up smoking can be alleviated by skullcap. It should be taken alone during the day, and with valerian at night as a natural sleep aid. 

 

Valerian is known for relaxing tense muscles. It is highly effective for insomnia, if that happens to be one of your quitter’s symptom, and allows you to get a good night’s sleep.

 

Final Thoughts

 

It is imperative to remember that safety of supplements and herbs in expectant mothers, nursing mothers, children, and those with any medical conditions and/or are under any medications is yet to be established. 

 

It is a prudent decision to speak with a certified health/holistic practitioner before taking any alternative medicine in the form of herbs or supplements to quit smoking. 

 

Tips for Buying Used or Discount Solar Panel

One of the main drawbacks of solar panels is their cost. Recouping their cost can often take as long as twenty years. That means that you'll essentially have earned zero profit in twenty years - you only start saving money from that point forward.

 

Instead of buying retail-priced solar panels, a great way to get more bang for your buck is to invest in used or discount solar panels instead.

 

Here are a few tips for finding and acquiring below retail rate solar panels.

 

Talk to Realtors in High Net Worth Areas

 

Look for areas where there are many homes with solar panels. If you can find homes for sale that have solar panels on them, so much the better. But even if you can't, talk to realtors in the area anyway.

 

Make them an offer to purchase any solar panel that's on a property they're trying to sell. Realtors often find that prospective buyers don't want solar panels on their home because of aesthetic reasons, or they just don't want the extra cost.

 

It's a burden on selling a home, which means it can often convert into prime opportunity for buying a cheap panel.

 

Look for Out-of-Date Models

 

Another method for finding used solar panels is to contact manufacturers and distributors directly and ask for older models of their products.

 

Often times when a manufacturer updates their product line, they'll try to sell off all their old products at discount prices.

 

In fact, if you can find a distributor or manufacturer who still has solar panels from two models back, chances are you'll be able to get a steep discount on those solar panels.

 

Join a Discount Buying Group

 

Buying just one set of solar panels can be quite expensive. However, if you're buying ten to twenty sets of solar panels, you can get a much better deal.

 

Naturally, you're not going to buy that many solar panels on your own. However, if you join a solar panel buying group, you can often buy these panels together instead and get a nice discount off the price.

 

Always Get the Panel Tested

 

Before you pay for a used or discount solar panel, make sure you have a trained professional test it out. Often times the manufacturer or installer will be happy to administer the test for you for free.

 

Also check the solar panels for any clear damage. Check both the front and the back of the solar panels. In some panels, damage to the back is actually much more important than damage to the front, so don't make the mistake of only checking the front panels.

 

Seriously consider buying a warranty for any used or discounted solar panels.

 

Finding discounted or used solar panels isn't as easy as buying retail, but you can save a lot of money doing so.

The Benefits of Energy-Efficient LEDs

Did you know that lighting costs account for about 25% of the average American's energy bill? That cost, when multiplied over a year, becomes an astronomical figure.

 

CFL and LED light bulbs have helped change that. Using energy saving technology, you can reduce your energy bill by 1/3rd to 1/25th of your original lighting costs.

 

Though LED lights used to be incredibly expensive, breakthroughs over the last few years have brought their cost down dramatically. Today, they're a better value than both CFL and everyday light bulbs.

 

Here are some of the many benefits of energy-efficient LEDs.

 

Generates Twenty Times Less Heat

 

Heat energy is dissipated from an average light bulb. That heat energy uses up electricity to generate itself, energy that you're paying for.

 

In addition, many Americans then have to spend even more electricity to cool their homes in part because of the heat generated from light bulbs.

 

LEDs on the other hand generate almost no heat - twenty times less than a standard light bulb.

 

Much Longer Lasting 

 

A regular light bulb works by heating up a filament in an oxygen-free environment. Unfortunately, the light bulb dies when the filament burns out.

 

An LED light on the other hand has no filament. As a result, they last much longer.

 

A good LED light can last as much as ten times longer than the average light bulb.

 

Reduced Lifetime Costs

 

The standard light bulb costs five to ten times more in energy than its upfront costs. 

 

An LED light on the other hand costs more upfront, but conserves a lot more energy in the long run.

 

In terms of total dollars invested over its lifetime, LED lights are better value than standard light bulbs and CFL light bulbs.

 

Better for the Environment

 

Standard light bulbs are terrible for the environment because mercury is used in the manufacturing process.

 

The chemical waste problem is compounded by the sheer volume of light bulbs that need to be produced. 

 

Because standard light bulbs burn out so often and need to be replaced, the waste the standard household produces is astronomical.

 

LED lights are much better for the environment, because no mercury is used in the production process. You also need to replace them much less often, which means less waste.

 

These are some of the many benefits of energy-efficient LEDs. Replacing the light bulbs in your home is as easy as noting the wattage and going down to your local hardware store to buy LED lights. 

 

There are quite a few choices you can choose from. You can get diffused bulbs, which take the concentrated light and turn it into a more spread out kind of light. You can get high power diffused, which are similar to 100 watt standard bulbs. You can also get them in track lighting, spotlight and floodlight forms.

Simple Improvements for a Greener Home

Want to make your home greener without having to spend too much time and energy on it? There are a few simple things you can do that'll make your home more green literally overnight with very little effort.

 

Here are a few simple improvements you can make for a greener home.

 

Invest in Auto-Off Lights

 

Getting a light switch system that automatically turns off is a great way to save energy and help the environment.

 

This is an especially good idea if you have a hard time remembering to turn off the light or have children who aren't in the habit of turning the lights off.

 

Purchase Energy Saving Light Bulbs

 

Energy saving light bulbs use much less energy than the typical light bulb. They generate less heat and produce just as much light as your typical light bulb.

 

Yes, they are slightly more expensive than a run-of-the-mill light bulb. However, if you care about going green, this is a really simple way to do so.

 

Water Conserving Shower Heads

 

Water conserving shower heads are very affordable, easy to install and can help you save a lot of money on your water bills.

 

Essentially what they do is inject air inside the streams of water. It still feels like you're getting a full blast of water on your body when you shower, but you're actually using a lot less water.

 

Improve Your House's Insulation

 

Improving your home's insulation can save you a lot of energy in the long run. It might take a bit of upfront investment, but it'll easily pay for itself.

 

Insulation will help you keep the heat in during winter and the heat out in summer. It'll help you reduce both your air conditioning and heating bills.

 

Different kinds of homes and different climates work best with different kinds of insulation. Talk to a local expert to figure out your exact cost to benefit ratio.

 

Use Green Products Wherever Possible

 

There are many places you can opt to go green in your house. You can buy green dishwashing soap instead of commercial detergents. You can buy organic soap in your local Whole Foods instead of mass produced soap.

 

You can buy biodegradable plastics instead of plastics that clog up landfills. You can buy products made from recyclable products or which are themselves recyclable instead of products that contribute to our unsustainable waste growth.

 

These are just some of the many ways you can go green. Just about every room in your house can benefit from going green. Often times going green means not only helping the environment, but also saving money. It takes a little bit of effort in the beginning to set up your home properly, but the rewards more than justify the effort.

Reducing Household Waste and Helping the Environment

Reducing household waste is everyone's responsibility. By reducing waste, you'll reduce your environmental impact, influence the people around you to do the same and improve the planet as a whole.

 

Here are a few ways you can quickly cut down your household waste.

 

Compost Instead of Throwing Out Foods

 

Did you know that compostable foods account for as much as 25% of our solid waste?

 

Instead of throwing away those carrot peels and orange peels, learn to compost them. It's not difficult. All you need to do is save up your compostable foods in a separate bin, then throw them into the dirt to compost.

 

It'll enrich your soil while simultaneously reducing your waste.

 

Bring Your Own Bags and Cups

 

Whenever you go shopping, bring your own bag(s) to avoid having to use a plastic bag. If you get your whole family in the habit of doing this, you'll save over a hundred plastic bags per year.

 

When you go out for coffee, make it a habit to bring your own cup. Often times coffee shops will even give you a discount or a larger portion if you bring your own cup.

 

If you swing by Starbucks every morning, that's 30 cups a month, 365 cups a year that you're saving the environment.

 

Buy Recyclable and Recycle

 

Check to see if the products you're buying are made out of recyclable materials before you buy them. If there's a choice between buying recyclable and non-recyclable, go with the recyclable materials every time.

 

Set up your own recycling bin and make sure your neighborhood recycles. If they don't, see what you can do about getting a recycling program set up.

 

Buy Whole Foods

 

Instead of buying pre-packaged foods, opt to buy whole foods instead.

 

For example, instead of buying canned tomatoes, buy whole tomatoes. You instantly save yourself a can.

 

Avoid canned fish, pre-packaged mushrooms, fruit packages, etc. and opt for their whole food counterparts instead.

 

Donate or Sell Old Stuff

 

Instead of throwing out things that have been collecting dust, make it a habit of donating them or selling them off.

 

Something that you might have no interest in anymore may be worth something to someone else at a garage sale or on eBay. 

 

If you have things that aren't really suitable for sale, donate them to Goodwill or your local charity instead.

 

Buy in Large Quantities

 

A lot of things in the household will take less packaging if you buy in larger quantities.

 

For example, instead of buying many containers of small detergent boxes, buy one big box.

 

Whenever you see a choice between buying bigger or smaller, try to pick the bigger (provided that you will eventually use it all). You'll also usually be paying less per ounce.

 

These are a few of the many ways you can reduce your household waste and help the environment. Remember: the environment is everyone's responsibility. By reducing your waste, you're doing your part to help the planet.