Ideally, everyone lives a responsible, sustainable lifestyle that helps reduce unnecessary waste. We all know that this isn’t the case, especially during the holiday season. Excess tape, tissue paper, wrapping paper, too much food, boxes, and more means one thing: excess waste. And while we encourage this time of celebration to mean something special, we also want it to benefit your wallet and the planet. 

The holidays can wreak havoc on your wallet, but it’s often your own doing. You get caught up in the festivities, but this often results in excess of everything. Since a common desire is to declutter and eliminate excess in the new year, there’s no reason to accumulate during the holidays. Celebrate the holiday season and ring in the new year with a more modest environmental footprint by checking out these budget- and planet-friendly tips. 

Invest In Durable Decorations

Can you go to a dollar store and buy a bunch of decorations under $20? Yes, that is a strategy for many people, but many of those decorations get tossed after the holidays. Although it may seem counterintuitive, you should spend a little more money on holiday decor. When you spend more on higher quality decorations, they’ll last longer and save you money over time. It also delays their inevitable journey to the landfill. 

Buy Climate Neutral Gifts

If you can’t or don’t want to buy secondhand gifts, consider gifts that are climate neutral certified. Think of this certification like the certified organic sticker you see on certain foods, only a climate neutral certification ensures that brands offset, plan, and have plans in place to reduce their carbon footprint. There are many brands that are climate neutral; you just have to search for them online. 

Consolidate Online Purchases

Online shopping has made holiday gift shopping more convenient than ever. You never have to enter a store and subject your poor ears to those earworm holiday songs. If you are going to purchase gifts online, try to do it in one fell swoop. Amazon, for example, will give you the option to group items together and have them arrive at a later date. That way, you reduce the amount of packages and trucks needed to deliver packages to you. Minimize the excess by shopping online in as few purchases as possible. 

Give The Gift Of Experiences

As you get older, you realize that you don’t need or want a lot of stuff. If you do see something you want, you typically buy it for yourself. A lot of other people don’t want to accumulate things either. Instead of buying a mug or hoodie that you know a person doesn’t need, give the gift of experiences. If you want to be budget-friendly, make a coupon book for coffee dates with mom, dinners with grandpa, bowling with the nephew, or babysitting for your niece. Gifts of service, such as mowing the lawn, making a meal from scratch, or running errands, are also great ideas. 

Get Creative With Wrapping Gifts

According to an estimate from Earth911, about 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper is produced in the U.S. every year. The shimmer, shine, and fun patterns are short-lived, as people tear the paper to shreds to get to the gift. Most wrapping paper is not recyclable, with about 2.3 million pounds of wrapping paper ending up in landfill every year. Gift bags are great to use because you can use them over and over again. For a recyclable option, consider wrapping gifts in old maps or vintage book pages. Save up some brown paper bags that you get at the grocery store and wrap your gifts in them. 

Make A Plant-Based Feast

Turkey and ham are the usual suspects at most holiday feasts, but what’s wrong with breaking tradition? Swap out your meaty dishes for plant-based alternatives. According to research from 2021, vegetarian and vegan diets that focused on legumes and whole grains were the least expensive diets around. A 2019 study found that transitioning from an omnivorous diet to a vegan diet lowered personal greenhouse gas emissions by 50%. Roast some Brussels sprouts or bake a platter of root vegetables. If you live in a warmer climate, get a head of cauliflower and cut it into thick steaks for grilling. You can even roast the entire head of cauliflower and smother it in a lemony tahini sauce!

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A recent study showed that a person’s financial health has a large impact on overall well being, especially when compared to emotional or physical health. Although money can induce stress, it doesn’t have to. A little financial knowledge can help expand your portfolio and confidence about your economic future. All of that can make a big difference to your physical and mental health. This article aims to cover the mind and body’s relationship to the wallet. 

There are so many wellness trends nowadays, especially in big metropolitan cities. From goat yoga and cold plunges to $20 smoothies and luxury getaways, wellness is now expensive. In reality, wellness does not have to cost the same as a five star international vacation. In fact, living well doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money at all. There are many wellness habits that can actually help you save money, or help you spend it more responsibly. Read on to learn about three ways to live better and spend smarter. 

Getting In Touch With Nature

There are more and more studies that confirm the link between time spent in nature and better mental health. Researchers note that living closer to green spaces can increase longevity and reduce complaints associated with health. As a start, nature seems to serve as a buffer between life’s many stressors, and reducing stress can contribute to better physical and mental health. Several studies from Japan confirmed that phytoncides in certain trees can help lower anxiety, reduce stress hormones, and improve blood pressure. Plus, being outdoors can also increase vitamin D levels, provided you spend time in the sun.

You don’t have to pay a lot of money to become one with nature. The U.S. National Park System has over 400 parks, many of which have free entry year-round. The ones that do have entrance fees tend to have fee-free days as well. City parks are also free and research indicates that greenery in cityscapes is highly beneficial for overall health. People who live near parks tend to exercise 25% more than people who don’t live near parks. 

Being Mindful

Mindfulness is another one of those trendy buzzwords you hear in regards to mental health and wellness. It is the practice of approaching actions with both attention and intention. Mindful eating, for example, is about taking more time to make healthy decisions about food and how much of it you enjoy. Being mindful about anything is truly about finding the why, because it helps you think about your choices and how they will affect your future. Doesn’t that sound like a great way to approach your finances?

Practicing mindful money decisions helps you align your purchases with your purpose. When you know your values and know what you want to live for, you have a better system for making decisions. Your values help inform you of the right decision, be it upgrading your home or moving money into your savings account. Plus, making mindful purchases means that you are less mindless about spending, and the guilt that comes with it.

Setting Boundaries

As a general rule of self-care, setting boundaries can help improve many aspects of your life. Boundaries help you see the clear divide between work life and home life and certain relationships. When you set boundaries, you can establish a better connection with yourself. Financial boundaries are equally as important, though. Establishing financial boundaries can help you decide you believe you should spend your money and where you think that money should go. When you have financial boundaries, you can establish how much you intend to and stick to it. If your friends know that you have boundaries about spending a certain amount, that can better inform them about group activities or dinner decisions.

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Online shopping is more popular than ever these days, and Americans continue to spend a substantial amount of money on groceries. A recent survey found that the average American adult goes to the grocery store 1.6 times per week. Although that doesn’t seem like a high number, frequenting the grocery store means that you may have some things to learn about supermarket shopping. That’s especially true if your goal is to save a little money. 

Grocery shopping is a relatively simple task: you select items off the shelf, pay for them, and take them home. That act of grocery shopping is not the issue; rather, the issue is what you do in the store. You might be making a series of inadvertent mistakes that can cost you time, money, and your health. To help you become a better grocery shopper, we have outlined common mistakes people make in the supermarket. Avoid these traps and you’ll be much better off. 

You Don’t Have A Grocery Shopping App

There’s an app for everything these days. If you care about conserving cash, especially when your dollar doesn’t go as far in the supermarket as it used to, you’ll want an app. A recent report found that food prices increased 9.5% since February 2022, and the USDA estimates an additional 7.5% increase in the coming year. A simple way to save money on groceries is by using the store’s app. You can clip digital coupons or take advantage of weekly deals, which you may not get as a regular rewards member or general shopper. 

You Don’t Buy Seasonal Produce

One of the best things about buying seasonal produce items, besides the fact that they are more affordable, is that they taste the freshest. Seasonal produce tends to be riper, fresher, and tastier because of the availability amid peak harvest. There are more strawberries in July than in December because of seasonal availability. Buying produce out of season is possible, but it tends to be more expensive. You can look up seasonal produce guides, or visit local farmer’s markets, to find out what’s in season in your area. 

You Don’t Read Food Labels 

Before you slide a food item with a label in your shopping cart, go ahead and give it a spin to read that nutritional label. Yes, we are even referring to packaging that uses trendy words like “healthy” or “low-fat.” The nutritional label tells the truth! Pay attention to saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, as you want to limit your consumption of those. Look to see how much dietary fiber, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium the food provides. Additionally, make sure to take note of the serving size, because there may be more than one serving in the package. Click here to learn more about nutritional labels and how to read them.

You Ignore The Frozen Food Aisle

Now, before you jump to any conclusions, we do not advocate buying TV dinners or pre-made lasagna dishes. Those food items are incredibly rich in sodium and preservatives. We are referring to frozen produce, including peas, broccoli, vegetable medleys, and frozen fruit varieties. Produce is frozen at peak freshness, making nutrients more accessible and available to your body. Just make sure that you don’t see any added sugars on the nutritional label! 

You Only Shop The Perimeter

When it comes to the raw vegan diet that accompanies our cleanses, we advocate shopping the perimeter of the store. That’s where you find the fresh produce and raw nuts and seeds. Although the middle aisles contain a huge collection of unhealthy foods, you can still find some gems within them. You miss out on lentils, beans, chickpeas, wild rice, quinoa, brown rice, oats, and more if you skip the middle aisles. As long as you stick to your shopping list, you can avoid the bad stuff!

You Don’t Make A List

Speaking of lists, entering the grocery store without a list is a recipe for impulse buying. When you have a plan in place, you are much less likely to add things like packaged cookies and other unhealthy foods to your cart. Shopping without a list typically makes you spend more money as well. Your list is your game plan and following it can help you succeed in the grocery store.

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Friday means the weekend has arrived, which means that fun is about to commence. Sadly, the weekend only lasts two days and Monday comes around before you know it. Whether you had a lethargic, fun-filled, energetic, or busy weekend, you are one thing on Monday morning: cranky. The desire to head back to work is not there and you start thinking about the coming weekend as soon as you clock in that Monday.

How do you stop asking yourself if Friday is here yet? It can be difficult to live in the present moment and not fantasize about the dream life that only exists on the weekend. The reality is that life is short and you have to make the most of your time on this planet. When you live for the weekend, not only do you put pressure on yourself to have an exceptional weekend, but you also miss out on so many things instead of juicing every drop you can out of each day. To help you embrace the present and abandon the idea that the weekend is the dream life, the following tips may help you stop living for the weekend. 

Go Out During The Week

You don’t have to have an insane rager on a Tuesday night that leaves you hungover at work on Wednesday. Make plans to go out to dinner, see a movie, attend a concert, or go axe-throwing with friends, a significant other, or family. Having fun isn’t only reserved for weekends! Just make sure you don’t stay out too late, because you need your rest to recharge for the upcoming day.

Get Sufficient Sleep

Aside from not going to the office on the weekend, one of the things people love to do is sleep in. There’s something to be said about a long night of rest. You feel like a new person when you wake up. Since there are so many moving pieces to mid-week life, try something new for a change. Go to bed extra early one day during the week. Leave the dishes in the sink, forget the laundry, and disregard your to-do list. Put on some new sheets, take a relaxing bath or shower, and prioritize going to bed. You’ll feel like a new person with a renewed sense of energy to boost you through the week. 

Evaluate Your Current Job

If you love your work and doing your job doesn’t feel like a chore, then that will change how you live during the week. People who live for the weekend are not always in love with what they do. Take the time to find work that means something to you so that you can reframe your feelings about work. Consider enhancing your skill set if you want to move up the career ladder. If you cannot advance at your current job, see what else is out there, or swap roles entirely.

Spend Time With Your Partner

Anyone who is in a relationship knows that it requires work. You have to keep things interesting with your partner, and you can do that in several ways. The best way to do this is to make something ordinary a special occasion. Make breakfast a date, creating a spread for the two of you to enjoy before work. What about a glass of wine in the evening where you dedicate time to sharing with each other? Possibilities are endless and they don’t have to be extravagant!

Make Time To Watch The Sunset

When you’re on vacation, you make it a point to watch the sunset. In fact, you may even plan your evening around it, booking a dinner reservation so that you can enjoy a meal as the sun goes to bed. Do you have the same desire to spend your evening watching the sun go down when you’re at home? You probably spend the golden hour in front of the TV or on your phone. Try making time, each week, to watch the sunset if the weather permits. You’ll bring that “vacation feeling” to your work week in a roundabout way!

Make The Most Of Your Breaks

Do you sit at your desk to eat lunch while entering a YouTube rabbit hole? If you do, you are not alone, but it may not be the best way to spend your lunch break. Making your lunch is a great way to save money and avoid eating unhealthy food options, especially if you’re limited on time. Instead of letting your lunch break fly by, head outside for a short walk. Heading outside and moving your body will help improve your mood and productivity.

Find A Hobby That Excites You

It’s very easy to head home after work, eat dinner, and spend the rest of your evening on the couch watching TV. Finding a hobby that you truly enjoy can turn your evening into an exciting adventure or challenge. Begin scrapbooking, take a photography class, learn an instrument, write poetry, or take up a language. The possibilities are endless and you’ll find a sense of fulfillment that you may or may not get from your day job. 

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Making your own beauty products isn’t just a trend; rather, it’s a great way to enhance your skin and save money. Quality skin care products are hard to come by, and the ones that are great tend to cost an arm and a leg. Even then, those “natural” products can contain fragrances or other chemicals that harm the skin. With DIY skin care products, you know exactly what they contain, and the body has an easier time absorbing them.

Why Do Breakouts Happen?

Breakouts aren’t the worst thing in life, but they can ruin your day. Can you attempt to camouflage your breakouts? Surely, but that doesn’t address the real issue. Breakouts typically occur where the skin has the most oil glands, i.e. the face, chest, upper back, and shoulders. Hair follicles fill with dead skin cells, sebum (oil), and occasionally bacteria. This clogging can result in blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. Although acne is most common in teenagers, it affects people of all ages. 

If the pore is clogged and you don’t see inflammation, that is called a comedone. If the comedone is closed, experts consider that a whitehead (the pimple or zit that looks whitish or yellowish). An open comedone has a black plug, that is a blackhead. The color comes from the bacteria and oil inside the pore, which turns black after exposure to the air. 

Causes Of Breakouts

Many things can cause breakouts, but the good news is that there are easy ways to prevent them from happening. Although stress is thought to be a cause of acne, this is not actually true. Stress can increase the severity of acne because corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), a hormone released during stress, triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines. That promotes more oil production, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. In addition to stress, skin care products, acne treatments, diet, dehydration, and smoking cigarettes can all increase the risk and frequency of breakouts. 

If you want to reduce the risk of breakouts, incorporate one, some, or all of the following DIY recipes to promote clearer skin. This goes without saying, but do not use one of these recipes if you are allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients. If you’re unsure of whether or not you have a sensitivity but you know you have sensitive skin, consider a patch test before applying the product all over your face. A small spot on the arm tends to be a great place to test products. If no reaction occurs within 24 hours, you should be good to use those ingredients. 

DIY Grapefruit Face Scrub

Trying to get rid of stubborn acne or excess oils on the skin? Scrub your way to healthier skin with these natural acne-fighting ingredients.

Click here to make the face scrub. 

DIY Detox Face Mask For Acne

Nourish your face, unclog your pores, reduce inflammation, and get rid of red blemishes when you use this face mask regularly.

Click here to make the mask. 

DIY Honey Face Mask For Dry Skin

Do you have dry or acne-prone skin? This DIY honey clay face mask works to hydrate the skin and remove impurities from your pores.

Click here to make the mask. 

DIY Facial Toner

You don’t have to be high-maintenance to enjoy this simple DIY Facial toner. It helps remove traces of dirt and impurities in the skin.

Click here to make the toner.

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A few days into January 2023 and people have already begun their Dry January journey, a month of abstaining from alcohol. There are many reasons that draw people to participating in this yearly event. It’s possible that the body is in desperate need of a break after a week of spiked eggnog and celebratory bubbles. It’s also possible that concerns are more serious.

According to research and surveys, alcohol has become more of a problem in society since the COVID-19 pandemic. Drinking to excess, including binge drinking, increased by 21% in the United States during the pandemic. Researchers project that a one-year increase in alcohol consumption will cause 8,000 deaths from alcohol-related liver disease. 

It makes sense that people resorted to alcohol during the pandemic, which was full of uncertainty. Alcohol hits the neurochemical pathways in the brain to release endorphins that make you feel good. Many researchers state that sitting down with an alcoholic beverage provides a temporary sense of ease and comfort, making it a popular go-to for people to unwind. 

Why Do People Do Dry January

January marks the start of a new year, a fresh start to wipe the slate clean. The culture has programmed everyone into thinking that it is a time to break habits that no longer support your health. If you are concerned about your use of alcohol, the New Year may be the fresh start you need. You can join the masses who participate in Dry January, especially if you notice that your drinking habits have increased. Drinking more than seven alcoholic beverages per week can lead to a slew of health issues, so a month-long break may kickstart your efforts into changing up your beverage intake. Come February, you may find that alcohol doesn’t have the same place in your life as it did previously. 

You May Reduce Bloating And Lose Weight

Depending on how much you drank prior to Dry January, you may or may not lose a few pounds this month. Boozy beverages add empty calories to your diet, meaning they don’t fill you up the same way food calories do. Because of that, you can either keep drinking, or you increase your consumption of unhealthy foods, which leads to a caloric surplus. A lot of people also feel bloated as a result of drinking alcoholic beverages, especially from beer. Research states that chronic alcohol use can inflame the gastrointestinal tract, which can wreak havoc on the body. 

You May Sleep Better

A popular reason for drinking alcohol is to help relax the body and fall asleep. The reality is that while alcohol may put you to sleep, the sleep you get after drinking isn’t the best. You often wake up more frequently during the night and cannot get sufficient deep sleep. A small study found that drinking alcohol caused decreased sleep time and sleep efficiency. Dry January may benefit your sleep and energy levels, helping you feel more clear-headed and motivated. With that extra energy, you may have more energy for other activities, such as working out. 

You’ll Save Money

It is very easy to spend too much money when you hit the bars with friends. Shelling out $10 to $16 for a craft cocktail or pour of wine can put a serious dent in your wallet. Even if you don’t go out all the time, buying alcohol from the store several times a week can also add up. When you take a month off, you’ll notice that your bank account doesn’t decrease as rapidly. Realizing that may cause you to change your drinking habits once Dry January comes to a close. 

Your May Enhance Immune Function

A 2015 study found that healthy people who had an episode of binge drinking experienced a reduction in disease-fighting immune cells. Being intoxicated can suppress immune function, which makes you more vulnerable to pathogens. Chronic drinking, on the other hand, can increase your risk of inflammatory reactions throughout the body. Even one night of heavy drinking can impair your body’s ability to fight off infections for 24 hours. All that is to say that abstaining from alcohol may improve your body’s defense against viruses, bacteria, and pathogens. 

You’ll Have A New Relationship With Alcohol

When you hit the pause button on alcohol, you may realize that you don’t have to drink every day, or even at all. Learning that you don’t need alcohol in your life can be a valuable lesson for many people. Maybe you thought you needed alcohol to fall asleep, but you found that you slept better without it. The main thing is to analyze how you feel and assess the pros/cons of Dry January. It is very common that people view alcohol in a different light and have a more positive relationship moving forward. 

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Everyone is feeling the effects of inflation right now. Your local coffee shop increased prices and so did every grocery store in your city. In fact, grocery store prices are up 12% from last year, and certain food groups are up more than that. That means that if your grocery budget was $500, you can now expect it to be $560. And if you purchase eggs, milk, and beef, for example, they are available at a significantly higher cost.

Even though the cost of living is at the highest it’s been in 40 years, there are things that you need to live. Groceries are necessary and even though they are pricier than they have been, buying food at the grocery store is more affordable than eating out all the time. And if you’re smart about the way you shop, you can save five to 10% a year on your grocery purchases. Read on if you want to learn how to save on groceries.

Search For The Deals

You don’t have to turn into a coupon fanatic, but browsing the weekly ads that markets send out can help you make smarter purchases. On top of that, many grocery stores have digital deals if you download their app. You can often see these deals when you comb the aisles, so you can clip the coupons right there in the store. Looking at what is on sale before you go to the market, though, is a great way to shop on a budget. 

Rethink Your Protein

Foods like eggs, chicken, beef, and seafood typically cost the most compared to other grocery items. It may be more beneficial to consider vegetarian protein options, as they are more affordable. We are not talking about lab meat, i.e. Impossible, Beyond, or any similar brand. Beans, tofu, chickpeas, lentils, and quinoa are more affordable than meat and more nutritious for the body. If you still want to buy meat, consider buying in bulk, as larger portions are cheaper than a lot of smaller ones. 

Buy Reusable Instead Of Disposable

Buying something for $5 that you use once and throw away is a great way to throw away money. If you buy something similar for $10 that is reusable, you can use it over and over again. Reusable products cost more upfront, but they save you money in the long run. Plus, reusable products are much better for the environment, as they don’t contribute to plastic waste. 

Buy In Bulk

While it may cost more initially, buying in bulk from warehouse stores can help you lower your per-unit cost. It’s better to buy toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, and other household items in bulk because you don’t have to go to the store as often. That also means you save on gas, which has dramatically increased in price. You don’t want to get more than you need, though, especially in regards to produce. For example, you don’t want to buy a large bag of oranges and have half the bag go bad. 

Plan Ahead

Most over-spending that occurs at the grocery store results from entering the store without a plan. The same over-spending can happen if you enter the grocery store on an empty stomach.  Go to the store with a list and don’t buy anything else that isn’t on it. Making impulse purchases may not seem like a big deal, but they slowly chip away at your bank account. Keep your pantry and refrigerator organized, so that you can easily keep track of what you have and what is expired vs. not expired. 

Be Picky With Produce

Americans need to eat more fruits and vegetables, which can seem expensive. There are ways to stretch your dollar and still fill your grocery cart with nutritious ingredients. You can opt for frozen vegetables or fruit to help save money, but make sure there are no preservatives on the ingredient list. Canned beans or chickpeas are not the worst, especially if you get the unsalted varieties. Additionally, make sure you are going to eat what you buy. For this reason, you need to learn how to store your produce so that it stays fresh for as long as possible. 

Start Meal Prepping

When you plan your meals out for the coming days or week, you can both utilize the groceries you purchase, and avoid wasting money by going out to eat a lot. Plus, meal prepping involves making a specific grocery list. It also forces you to look in your pantry to utilize things you may already own. You can find lots of inspiration for meal prep ideas online, so find meals that entice your taste buds and go from there.

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If you feel stressed about finances, especially after the past couple years, you are not alone. It’s not a secret that money has close ties with your emotions. An overwhelming amount of debt can cause anxiety and nagging guilt nay result from overspending. Your relationship with money, however, is a two-way street and you can benefit your overall health by budgeting properly.

According to a 2020 American stress report, about 64% of adults stated that money is a primary source of stress. Additionally, a 2021 report found that only 39% of Americans could comfortably cover an unexpected $1,000 expense without dipping into savings. Financial stability is an integral tool for survival, and psychiatrists say that the fear of instability can trigger stress and anxiety. 

Some stress is beneficial in certain situations, but it’s difficult to silence financial stress. It lingers in the back of your mind, no matter if you are spending money or not. Chronic stress, especially financial stress, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, mood swings, depression, anxiety, and heart disease. According to another 2020 report, people in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities suffer from financial stress the most. The worry comes from being able to afford rent, mortgage, student loans, and childcare. 

Money And Mental Health

You can blame poor mental health on a lack of money, but that’s not the root of the problem. The primary reason that links stress to finances is the way in which you manage money. Sometimes, you have to take a step back from the situation to think about the problems you have with money. Perhaps the chronic disorganization of budgeting is causing stress. That’s why it’s integral to look at why money issues started. In addition to figuring out the cause of financial stress, you ultimately have to forgive yourself and progress from there. 

Accountability is everything and you have the power to take steps that can help you fix your situation. You can learn to budget and stick to it. Once you do, you can experience the following health benefits. 

Budgeting Helps Reduce Physical Symptoms Of Stress

When you establish a budget and follow it, you can help set aside funds for the future. A budget also lets you know where you stand with the financial goals you set. According to a recent review of studies, budgeting may help relieve anxiety and existential dread. The reason for this is that a budget can help you feel in control, which can promote relaxation about finances. Dialing down your stress about money can reduce muscle tension, stomachaches, and even blood pressure. 

Budgeting Helps you Fund Your Healthcare

This isn’t to say that budgeting gives you more money to put towards health insurance. The takeaway is that following a budget can help you set aside funds for activities, appointments, or other things that make you a healthier person. For example, you can get a gym membership, therapy sessions, massages, chiropractic adjustments, and healthier food. Investing in yourself is a form of self-care, and it helps to have a budget in place to fund healthy endeavors. 

Budgeting May Improve Immune Function

How could this be true? Well, anything that can reduce stress levels can lift some pressure off the immune system. Stress causes the body to expend energy to primary functions. That slows digestion and makes the immune system sluggish. By turning off your fight-or-flight response, you can help improve immune function. 

Budgeting Improves Self-Esteem

There’s a correlation between what you do to save money or control spending and how you feel about yourself. Think of adhering to a budget as a sense of competency and accomplishment. When you set goals or priorities in one part of your life, they tend to have a domino effect on the other aspects. You’ll begin to build steam and find that your self-esteem and self-confidence benefits. 

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While every season has unique and specific scents, the enchanting aromas of fall and winter are the best ones. Be it a simmering pot of cider, homemade apple pie, pumpkin spice beverages, or cinnamon-scented candles, it’s safe to say the holidays smell amazing. Did you know that you can invite that signature cinnamon spice into your home without purchasing candles or air fresheners? All you have to do is make the cinnamon spice candles in this article. 

Candles are great for numerous occasions and make practical home decor items. It’s also useful to have them if you ever experience a blackout. And while it’s easy to purchase candles in store, they can often be quite pricey and filled with chemicals, many of which are harmful to your respiratory system. Candle making is also a great way to save money on gifts if you are trying to have a budget-friendly holiday season. You can decorate the jars/glasses, in which the candle goes, and gift them to friends, family members, and coworkers alike.

Why Are Natural Candles Better?

They Produce Less Soot

If you are a regular candle lighter, you may have noticed that a lot of soot accumulates around the inside of the glass. This is because chemical-rich candles don’t burn as clean as natural candles do. Because of this, you won’t see black soot gather on the candle or surfaces near where you light it.

No Unsavory Chemicals

Paraffin wax is the predominant wax that manufacturers use to make candles. It is derived from petroleum and can contain carcinogens, numerous toxins, and air pollutants. Organic waxes like beeswax or soy wax can help you avoid exposure to harmful chemicals. Additionally, wicks made from cotton, wood, or hemp are better options than metal-cored wicks, which release toxins as they burn.

They Burn Longer

Unlike paraffin wax, natural waxes have a lower melting point, meaning they last longer. This means that your candles will last longer, so you can enjoy them for longer. They are also eco-friendly and have a more pleasant aroma when they burn. So you won’t get tired of the scent due to the longer lifespan. 

DIY Cinnamon Spice Candles

Ingredients:

• Mason jars or container of choice
• Smokeless candle wicks
• Flaked soy wax
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 tablespoon ground clove

Instructions:

• You have to start by melting your wax. If you want to fill a standard pint Mason jar, you’ll need 2 cups of melted wax. 
• Start by adding one cup of soy wax flakes to a heat-safe glass measuring cup and microwave for two minutes. Continue microwaving for one-minute intervals until fully melted. 
• Add another cup of wax and continue to microwave in one-minute intervals until it’s all thoroughly melted. If you prefer to melt the wax in a double boiler, you can do it that way as well.
• While the wax is melting, wrap the end of a candle wick around the middle of a wooden skewer or pencil and balance the skewer on the top of the jar. 
• The bottom of the wick should be resting at the bottom of the jar. 
• When the wax is complete melted, add in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and clove and mix well. 
• Hold the skewer with the wick and slowly pour the wax into the jar. If you see any air bubbles on the sides of the jar, use a separate wooden skewer to rub the inside of the jar to release them to the top. You can leave them be if you want. It’s simply a matter of aesthetic appeal. 
• Allow four to five hours for the candle to complete set. 
• Light it up and enjoy!

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As the colder months arrive, humidity levels decline and dry air becomes an issue in the home. The drier the air, the more at risk you are of developing nosebleeds, cracked lips, allergies, scratchy throat, or dry skin. Sometimes, it’s possible to experience uncomfortable sleep because the dry air causes breathing troubles. To avoid dealing with these annoyances, it’s best to humidify your indoor air. 

Before you get started on humidifying your home, it’s best to check if the air is actually dry or not. It can be difficult to notice if you don’t typically pay attention to it, but the body can give you clues as to whether the air is dry or not. A few telltale signs include regular runny nose, itchy or dry skin, and sinus congestion. Although a humidifier increases moisture content in the home, it can cost you a pretty penny, in regards to your electric bill. So how do you economically increase the humidity of your living space? Continue reading to learn how.

Buy Some Indoor Plants

Indoor plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room, but they also add more moisture to the air via transpiration. After watering a plant, moisture travels from the roots through the leaves, which release moisture in the air and increase humidity. Most indoor plants will do the job, but jade and spider plants are among the best varieties for humidifying the air, according to horticulturists. 

Leave The Shower Door Open

Taking a hot steamy shower is one of the greatest things you can do when it’s cold outside. Not only is it relaxing, but you feel surrounded by moist air that seems to help you breathe more easily. Let some of that steam make its way into the surrounding areas by leaving the shower door open while you shower. If baths are your thing, leave the door open while you soak and don’t drain the water until it’s completely cool because that moisture will add humidity to the air.

Air-Dry Your Laundry

Are dryers convenient? Absolutely, but using a dryer doesn’t increase humidity levels in the home. One easy trick to add moisture to indoor air is by drying your clothes and towels around your home. Hang them on the backs of chairs, towel racks, or hangers around the house. As they dry, the clothes will release water into the air. As a bonus, you’ll save money on your gas or electric bill, depending on what type of dryer you have. 

Turn Your Vent Into A Humidifier

Get creative and use your air vents or wall heater to increase indoor humidity levels. Place a pot or bowl of water near your heat source. As the hot air passes over the water, the water will begin to evaporate and increase moisture. That’s how you create a makeshift humidifier!

Use The Power Of The Sponge

Take a break from cleaning or washing dishes because you need the sponge, or sponges, for a different reason. Sponges are excellent for absorbing moisture and retaining it for a long time. Because of this, sponges can be natural humidifiers when other alternative options are not available or possible. After wetting a sponge (large sponges work best), place it in an open bowl or plastic bag and put it in the center of a room. This will help increase humidity over the next few hours. 

Cook On The Stove

This seems like something that is too simple to be true, but stovetop cooking is in fact a great way to increase humidity levels. Cooking in an oven may warm up the house, but it doesn’t generate half as much humidity as cooking on the stove does. Stovetop cooking generates water vapor that fills the air. If you’re boiling water, don’t turn on the range or hood vent because that steam will go into the house and maximize humidity. 

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The post How To Humidify A Room Without A Humidifier appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.