After the pandemic, I noticed that it had brought me so much anxiety. More than ever, I was seriously struggling. Anxiety is so mentally exhausting and affects almost every aspect of my life as a mom, wife, friend, and businesswoman.
The feeling of dread, unexplainable fear, and uneasiness can be disruptive to my day, leading to restlessness and many other unpleasant side effects. It can evoke feelings of agitation, distress, and worry. It induces physical symptoms like dizziness, sweating, and muscle tension.
The bottom line: It’s distressing, upsetting, and totally exhausting. And the stats below make it even more so.
According to American Psychological Association (APA), anxiety is “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” And, according to statistics, it is estimated that 264 million adults around the globe experience anxiety. (World Health Organization, 2017) and that an estimated 31% of all adults are said to experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2020).
How To Practice Mindfulness For Anxiety
The start or increase of your risk of having anxiety may have begun as a result of lifestyle and possibly environmental factors. For example, health condition, sleep issues, relationship problems, work or school troubles. or general unhappiness. The good thing is that anxiety symptoms can be relieved, and one of the ways to do this is by practicing mindfulness.
Since anxiety can take a toll on you both mentally and physically, it is important to know how to deal with it. According to Healthline, it’s about turning down the volume in your mind by coming back to the body. It can help you focus on the present moment and soften your reactivity.
Mindfulness involves practicing guided imagery, breathing methods and other relaxing practices, helping you relax your mind and body. To help alleviate your anxiety and staying in the present, explore these mindfulness practices that might help you.
Setting an intention.
It would be best to have something to remind you of your purpose, and setting an intention works best for this. Yoga instructors encourage doing this before starting your day. When an important task gives you anxiety, remind yourself why you need to go through the process. If it’s a promotion interview, find it within yourself to focus on the main reason why you pursued it.
An intention can be simple, it doesn’t have to be hard. It can be as little as “I will make it through this day without getting mad or yelling at anyone.” Don’t overcomplicate it because then you won’t use it or want to do it.
Doing guided meditation.
Doing meditation practices is one of my favorite mindfulness exercises. It helps in processing thoughts and emotions with more acceptance. It improves sleep, lessen feeling burnout, depression, and helps with high blood pressure and gives you more clarity and focus. As anxiety can make us feel like we’re losing control, meditating strengthens our mind and body connection. And you can try guided mindfulness meditation programs online like Youtube and some apps.
The guided meditations from Peloton really help me to remember to breathe, and I use them often. They help my head slow down and not worry as much as I usually do. They help get me through the roughest parts of the day, even when it feel impossible.
Going for a walk.
Whether it’s a short jaunt or a stroll in the park, going for a walk can really help you ground yourself. There’s something about just being in the moment, without much of a care in the world, and being one with the outside world while you let your mind wander.
My favorite kind of walk, when it’s cooler here in Arizona, is to take Louie and Romeo for a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood. It’s a win win because we get outside and get some exercise, and they get tired by the time we get home so they rest!
Opening your attention to the present moment.
You might have heard it said many times and in many ways that opening your attention and focusing on the present moment is the key to enjoying life. Paying attention is not easy nowadays with all the distractions around us. We are used to anticipating what will happen in the future, the worst case scenario, and thinking ahead to be ready when something happens.
Aside from being stuck in thinking about the future and events in the past also boggles your focus. When you get cornered with the what-ifs and maybes, you ultimately feel worn out and exhausted. So stay in the moment. Use mindfulness-based stress reduction by finding the perfect balance of cultivating a sense of presence and reflecting on the past and future. Make an effort to notice anxious thoughts and consider why you may be feeling that way.
Focus on your breathing.
Having negative thoughts affects your focus. To help yourself, focus on your breathing. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and settle on a comfortable sitting position. You can learn different techniques for this. Try deep and controlled breathing or shallow to be present. It works in relieving stress and frustrations.
I have had to work so hard on remembering and learning to breathe as I have a tendency to hold my breath when things get hard or overwhelming. I have found though, that when you breathe, it helps relax your body and ends up helping the tension and tough feelings go away. Breathing makes things easier and the more you can tune into doing it, the better off you will be.
Podcasts For Mindfulness
Mindfulness for Beginners
Mindfulness for Beginners is a great way to enter the world of mindfulness without becoming overwhelmed. The host understands that getting started can be daunting, and guides you through with expert help. It is a very spirituality motivated podcast, and will build a solid mindfulness foundation.
Daily Meditation Podcast
Set your life up with 30 minutes each morning. The Daily Meditation Podcast is full of amazing tips, tricks, and motivation to help you thrive. This podcast helps to guide you through self-reflection on topics like empathy, courage, and anxiety. You can listen any time, but it is the BEST way to start your morning with simple mindfulness exercises.
Tara Bach
Learning how to listen to yourself and what you’re feeling can make a world of difference your life. The host of this podcast, Tara Bach, talks a lot about mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, human behaviour and emotion, and so much more. If mindfulness with a touch if science is your thing, this is the podcast for you.
Untangle
Untangle is a weekly meditation podcast to help you support your mental health. It is all about resetting your nervous system and using mindfulness exercises to lead a better life. On this podcast, listen to neurologists, psychologists, and more.
Our Mindful Nature (formerly The Mindful Minute)
Our Mindful Nature offers helpful and accessible mindfulness techniques in the form of fascinating episodes. It doesn’t take long to take time for your self, settle on in, and be mindful. I love that this podcast is all about taking time, even 5 minutes, to connect and ground yourself. So, if you’re a busy person, this is the podcast for you!
Ease your anxiety with these tips.
There are a number of mindfulness techniques that can help people anxious feelings and generalized anxiety disorder. Mindful breathing, body scan, and mindful of thoughts and feelings are only a few of the most popular techniques that help with stress and anxiety. While these techniques do take some practice to get used to, they can be very helpful in managing symptoms of anxiety on a daily basis. For people who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, mindfulness can be an essential tool for helping to manage the condition. In conclusion, mindfulness is a valuable tool that can help reduce stress and anxiety levels in people of all ages in daily life.
Zoom meetings after Google meetings, after a whole day sitting at your desk are pretty harsh. But unfortunately, these are the new office setup today after the pandemic put the world in topsy turvy, and staying at home became a new norm. During the pandemic, SO many of us learned a new norm, and now, returning to work isn’t mandatory everywhere. In fact, so many offices around the world are allowing working from home more than ever before!
Honestly, I love working from home more than I do working in an office. I love that I get to work from my comfort space, with my husband and kids nearby, that I can sleep a little longer, listen to whatever music I want, dress up in more comfortable clothes. However, working from home definitely challenges your self-discipline because it can be easy to lose focus, stay off course when no one is looking over your shoulder. Let me share tried and tested tips on how your readers can create a structure and discipline themselves to separate their business/work from their personal lives and be more focused and productive while working from home.
How to Stay Focused Working from Home
Come to think of it, and when you can’t compartmentalize your professional life and personal life location-wise, it can get to you with distractions and a confused mindset. If this is something that worries you too, here are some tips that work for me, helping me stay focused while working from home.
Have a dedicated workspace.
Although working remotely gives you access to your work anytime, and its flexibility is considerably helpful, it’s still essential to set up a home office or at least a dedicated workspace. It helps you stay focused and gives you a working mindset. I used to have an office and desk to work from, but would often find myself working in the kitchen or at the table because that’s where the kids were. And my desk became a catch all that never saw much work.
So I moved it to another property and now work from the kitchen counter where I bring out all my work items when I’m working and then put all of them away when I’m done. It helps me create a space and time to work versus always having a place to catch everything and try to dig out when I want to work.
Stay off social media.
I can easily get lost in the social media wonderland that is Pinterest and forget my tasks. To some, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have this rabbit hole effect. Before you know it, you’ve consumed a considerable amount of time perusing your social media.
If this is becoming too distracting to you, it’s better to stay off by turning off your notifications or use apps that help avoid getting distracted by social media. I do the same thing for my phone — all notifications are off all the time, otherwise it gets time consuming and distracting easily.
Have a morning routine.
Productively structure your day by establishing a good routine. Eat your breakfast, meditate, water your plants and set a specific schedule for that. How you start your day is critical in how the rest of it will serve you. Stay on schedule and do something in the morning to boost your drive for the entire day and start with the most crucial task.
Set boundaries.
The truth is, when you have kids at home, setting boundaries can be a challenge. So, it’s essential to talk about it with your partner about having a system and schedule so you can both work and find the right rhythm of spending enough time with your kids. Your Zoom parties with your friends can wait. Respect your office hours even if you’re working from home and do more leisurely activities after.
Create a schedule.
Learn what you need to focus on for the day. Make it visible. Perhaps use an actual calendar on your work desk, or you can also use an online scheduler that helps you organize your tasks. Every day, before you start your day, check your schedule, what your priorities are for the day, and your impending deadlines. This is the way to get yourself to focus on your list and find yourself time for scheduled breaks.
I live and die by my calendar on my phone, because it reminds me when to pick up and drop off my kids, what other events and appointments I have, and can recur as often as needed. I don’t have a visual calendar, but one on my phone that I can share with my family and let them know when I’m not going to be available. Figure out what works for you and stick to that.
Automate as much as you can.
Utilize technology to its best abilities and by that, I mean automate. Pre-schedule whichever you can like emails and social media posts. Even automate your billing. The plan here is to keep your back-office tasks running smoothly, especially those that are repetitive, routinely, and has step-by-step processes.
I love to use Planoly for my social posting, Zapier to connect things automatically that happen over and over again, Hostaway for my short term rental communication, and Google Home to remind me of things I ask with a simple voice command.
Know when to clock out.
One of the habits that’s so difficult to break when doing remote work is clocking out on the dot. It sometimes gets in the way of your personal life. It’s tempting to use your extra time for something you need to do for work like a family dinner or coffee date with friends just because your work has become accessible to you geographically.
Train yourself to create that barrier and clock out as scheduled. It is also helpful to keep you from crashing and burning.
Enjoy your breaks.
It might sound foreign to you but enjoying your breaks is very productive. Break times are like resets, and it keeps your mind fueled with zest to work. However, you need to be careful and figure out what schedule works for you best.
Find that balance and make your breaks worthwhile by maybe drinking your coffee, reading a book, playing a quick game with your kids, or munching on your favorite chips. The important thing is to enjoy your lunch break so you can come back refreshed and ready to get back on task asap.
Use the right tools.
The right tools are your work from home lifeline. If your workspace has the proper lighting and location, your desks and chair are ergonomic, your wifi is high-speed, and your laptop works smoothly, then there’s a big chance that you can do your job seamlessly. It’s essential to be comfortable enough to think and finish your task with ease.
Work on time management.
Time management is the KEY to making working from home work. You can use actively use techniques like time blocking to ensure that you’re making the most of your time at work. Personally, when I have a deadline, I like to set a timer every 15 mins and divide the project into 15 minute blogs. This helps me stay on task and meet my deadlines.
Stay focused working from home with these tips!
When working from home, it is important to know that every day might be different when you are starting out working from home. Some days, the weather can affect us more than others, sometimes our space might need changed up a bit, while others are perfect days where nothing distracts. Having patience is important. Don’t expect to get it all right the first time, make mistakes, try out new routines, and tools, and figure out what works for you.
In life, we all have times when we feel drained and impacted by the negative energy around us. That is why it is so important to learn how to protect your energy. In this blog, you will learn how to protect your energy, why it’s important, and 9 powerful ways to do it. Are you ready?
Many of us allow ourselves to be influenced by other people’s energy. This can sometimes be a good thing if you’re around excited or grounded people. However, if you’re around negative people, that negativity is contagious and can drain your energy. This can happen to everyone, but is especially likely if you’re a sensitive person.
To be honest, it took me a long time to realize that part of my self care habits and routines needed to include protecting my energy. But what does that mean and how can you protect your energy?
Well, everything we do – both physically and mentally – takes some sort of toll on the human body & mind. These actions, decisions, and relationships can leave you feeling devoid of energy to the point where you feel completely drained.
Not sure what I’m talking about? Here are a few examples of things that can deplete your energy:
toxic friendships or relationships
hostile working environments
constantly loaning yourself for advice or as a shoulder to cry on
Your energy is yours and yours alone. In order to live your best life, you need to learn how to protect your energy so that negativity and other people don’t drain your energy.
How To Protect Your Energy
Once you learn how to protect your energy, it’s not that hard to maintain. You will find yourself creating space in your daily or weekly plans to have the space you didn’t know you needed.
Take Time for Yourself
When you notice that you’re being affected by other people’s energy, step away and take time for yourself. By yourself. Do something you enjoy – whatever it is that replenishes you and restores your positive energy.
Some ideas include taking a relaxing bath, watching your favorite show, gardening, reading a book, enjoying a glass of wine, or enjoying the silence and meditating.
Create a Positive Environment
What you put out into the world comes back to you. If you focus on creating a positive environment around you, positive energy will come your way and you will be less impacted by any negative energy.
Some ways to help create a positive environment include helping others, showing gratitude, and giving encouragement and support to someone who needs a boost.
Act Instead of React
When we react to others, we are like racquet balls, flinging around the space in response to another person’s actions or negative emotions. All that flying around is exhausting and leaves you feeling drained.
Instead, pause before reacting. This will allow you to consciously act and put your best foot forward and stay in control of your own energy rather than letting someone else control it.
Set Boundaries
It’s important to learn how and where to draw a line (or boundary) so that you protect your energy resources. All this means is that you stop agreeing to do things you don’t want to do. If you simply keep giving and giving, soon there will be nothing left to give.
“No” is a one word sentence. Often we feel that we need to explain why we can’t or won’t do something. That’s simply not true because you can say ‘no’ and leave it at that. It’s important to take care of your own needs and be clear with others when something won’t work for you.
One thing I often see is boundaries not being set in regards to social media. Just because you’re technically available at all times, it doesn’t mean you have to be! You don’t have to reply to messages straight away, or you can just put your phone down to give yourself some space from the demands of other people. Social media isn’t an all access invitation to your energy.
Meditation
When you notice that something has drained your energy, find a few minutes to do some meditation. Not sure how to meditate? There are apps and even YouTube videos that provide guided meditation to help you.
People and cultures have used meditation for centuries to help restore peace, balance, and improve emotional well-being. The great thing about meditation is that its benefits don’t just stop when you stop meditating, but rather continue with you through the rest of your day.
Crystals
Crystals are a tool to help you get more grounded and feel connected through earth energy. Different stones help to balance your chakras to help protect your energy, give you strength against negative energy, and even reprogram negative thought patterns. Toxic energy can have a huge effect on your well-being and positive mindset, so by carrying crystals with positive energy, you can ground yourself and protect yourself.
When you feel yourself getting drained, take a deep breath. It will help lower your heart rate and blood pressure, improve circulation and mental clarity, and replenish a little bit of your energy. Your mental energy can be seriously depleted when you’re not protecting your energy, and taking a few deep breaths or using breathing exercises can seriously help you out.
This is a quick and effective way to help protect your energy and can be repeated as many times as necessary throughout the day. I like this idea, as you can do it anywhere, anytime, and bring your energy back down and allow yourself to be protected.
Ground Yourself
It happens to everyone at some point: we get swept along the current of someone else’s negative energy. When you’re paying attention and find yourself not grounded or centered, take some time to ground yourself in nature. If you’re in a situation that feels high-energy (in a bad way) and you’re feeling like your energy is unprotected, grounding yourself is an excellent exercise to bring you back down to earth.
A walk on the beach, a hike in the forest, walk barefoot in the park, watching a sunset or sunrise. These grounding activities connect you with the world around you on a deep level to help you feel stronger, balanced, and centered. They can help you become one with your emotions and find your inner peace.
Exercise
We’ve all heard how important exercise is for our physical health. It’s also important for our mental health by reducing negative mood, anxiety and depression while increasing self-esteem and positive energy. When you find yourself feeling drained, get some exercise to release the endorphins that help you get balanced and feel your best.
Exercise is your best friend when it comes to finding inner peace and creating positive energy all around you. Even a 10 minute walk can make a world of difference for you. Anything that releases happy hormones will enhance the positivity around you.
Protect your energy with these powerful tips.
The next time you feel as though negativity has drained your energy, try using these 9 tools to help protect your energy and restore your balance.
Protecting your energy can seem hard, but it isn’t. Well, to be honest, the change can be, but once you begin doing it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner! It is so important to keep your energy safe and maintain healthy boundaries with the people around you. With the tips above, you can live a healthier life full of positive energy.
Want more tips just like this? If so, head on over to my blog! Or, check out the posts below! I love sharing information to help you create a life you love on your own times. You deserve it, and you’re capable! You got this!
You see it everywhere, the headlines about extreme weather, the calls for more people to fight climate change and change their ways in an effort to limit global warming. But, particularly in the United States, many people don’t know much beyond surface level.
Did you know that the average American generates over 16,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year? That’s a lot of pollution! Every time I read stats like that, I feel inspired to not only learn more about but to then share what I learned to raise awareness on the topic. So, in this blog post, we will discuss why reducing your individual carbon footprint is important for both you and the environment. We will talk about the benefits of going green and provide some tips on how you can reduce your carbon dioxide (co2) emissions. Let’s get started!
Why Is Reducing Carbon Footprint Important
What is a carbon footprint and why is it important to reduce it
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide emissions) emitted by an individual, organization, event, or product. This includes raw material extractions and production, usage, and then either recycling or disposal. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and are one of the main drivers of climate change. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, which is released when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Burning fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the air, which can lead to respiratory problems, heart disease, and even premature death. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels is estimated to cause 7 million premature deaths each year.
Reducing our carbon footprint is essential to mitigating climate change and protecting public health. Research shows that if we reduce global emissions over the next 50 years, in line with the Paris Agreement, it would have a huge positive impact on public health, but we have to start now.
There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint, including driving less, using public transportation, recycling, and using energy-efficient appliances. Even small changes can make a big difference when it comes to protecting our planet.
If you live in a country with a carbon tax, such as the United Kingdom, you may be able to offset some of your emissions by investing in carbon credits. You can also reduce your emissions by driving less, taking public transportation, or telecommuting.
Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to consume less meat and dairy; livestock production results in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, you can minimize your energy use by conserving resources and using energy-efficient products.
Every little bit counts when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint.
The benefits of reducing your carbon footprint
One of the primary ways individuals can help reverse global warming is by reducing their carbon footprint. Carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere when we use fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal. These emissions contribute to air pollution and trapped heat, which leads to a rise in the temperature of the earth’s surface, commonly referred to as global warming. The effects of this include rising sea levels, extreme weather, and shifting seasons.
There are many reasons why you should focus on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emission reductions.
For one, it is better for your health. Air pollution can cause a variety of respiratory problems, including asthma and bronchitis. It can also aggravate heart conditions and lead to strokes. Reducing your carbon footprint can help improve public health by improving air quality.
In addition, reducing your carbon footprint is good for the animals and the planet. Climate change is a major threat to biodiversity, as it alters habitats and changes the distribution of plants and animals. By reducing your emissions, you can help maintain plant and animal diversity.
Finally, reducing your carbon footprint can save you money. Energy-efficient appliances and green building materials often have a higher upfront cost than conventional options.
However, they typically last longer and use less energy, which can save you money in the long run. In addition, many utility companies offer rebates for energy-efficient upgrades.
As you can see, there are many reasons to reduce your carbon footprint. Every little bit counts when it comes to mitigating climate change.
How To Reduce Carbon Footprint
There are many things we can do to reduce our carbon footprint and help slow down the effects of climate change. Here are some practical tips that you can implement in your everyday life:
– Use reusable water bottles instead of disposable plastic ones.
– Walk or bike whenever possible instead of driving.
– Unplug devices when not in use to conserve energy.
– Opt for locally grown meat and produce to reduce your carbon footprint from transportation.
– Use cold water for washing clothes instead of hot water.
This consumes less energy and is just as effective.
– Drive efficiently by keeping your car well maintained, inflating your tires, and avoiding excessive idling.
– Recycle and repurpose old items instead of throwing them away.
– Add solar panels to your home or business to generate clean, renewable energy and save money on your electric bills.
We went with Volt Energy when we were choosing a provider. And if you mention my name, AJ Johnson, Volt will give a $250 cash rebate for anyone that goes solar.
– Support clean energy sources such as wind and solar power.
My parents live in Indiana and wind power surrounds them and the town I grew up in. It’s a sight to see, and every time we travel there we know we’re close to home when the wind turbines come into view!
These are just a few of the many things we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. Every individual has the power to make a difference. Together, we can slow down the effects of climate change and create a brighter future for generations to come.
Tips for going green at home
There are also numerous ways to reduce your impact on the environment and save money at the same time. Here are a few tips on how you can go green in your own home:
1. Use natural resources wisely:
Be conscious of how much water you use when cooking, cleaning, and watering plants. Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth, and throw used water on plants instead of down the drain. Use cold water for laundry and line-dry clothes when possible. You can also save energy (and money) by making sure your home is well-insulated and using energy-efficient light bulbs.
– Switching to LED light bulbs is a great way to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. They also last up to 25 times longer!
– Choose energy-efficient appliances when making new purchases.
2. Reduce your carbon footprint:
One of the best ways to reduce your impact on the environment is to reduce your carbon footprint. You can do this by walking or biking instead of driving, taking public transportation, carpooling, or telecommuting. You can also offset your carbon emissions by planting trees or investing in renewable energy sources.
3. Save money:
Reducing your impact on the environment can also save you money. For example, by insulating your home, you’ll use less energy for heating and cooling, which will lower your utility bills. Using energy-efficient light bulbs will also lower your electric bill. And by carpooling or taking public transportation, you’ll save on gas money.
Going green doesn’t have to be difficult. There are many small changes you can make in your everyday life that will have a big impact on the environment. By working together, we can all do our part to create a sustainable future.
Tips for going green at work
Going green at work can seem like a daunting task, but there are several small changes that can make a difference. Here are five tips to get you started:
1. Pack a lunch:
Brown-bagging not only saves money but also reduces waste. If you do eat out, look for restaurants that use recyclable or compostable containers.
2. Ditch the disposables:
Say goodbye to paper coffee cups and plastic water bottles. Invest in a reusable mug and water bottle and keep them at your desk.
3. Go digital:
Whenever possible, opt for electronic communications over paper. This includes everything from sending emails instead of letters to using digital files instead of paper ones.
4. Think before you print:
Do you really need to print that document? If not, save it electronically. If you do need to print it, make sure to print it on the blank side of a recycled paper or print it front and back to use both sides of the page.
5. Recycle:
Recycling seems like a no-brainer, but many office buildings don’t have adequate recycling facilities. If yours is one of them, talk to your boss about setting up a system. Alternatively, see if there’s a local recycling program you can participate in.
These are just a few of the many ways you can make your workplace more sustainable. By working together, we can all do our part to reduce our impact on the environment.
Tips for going green when you travel
As more people become aware of the need to protect the environment, they are looking for ways to reduce their impact when they travel. Here are a few simple tips that can help you travel more sustainably:
1. Pick up trash if you see it.
Grab any litter that you see, whether it’s discarded wrappers or cigarette butts, and either dispose of it properly or recycle it. Not only will you be doing your part to keep places clean, but you’ll also be preventing litter from entering the environment and harming wildlife.
2. Avoid single-use plastics.
Bring along a reusable water bottle and coffee mug, and say no to straws and plastic bags.
3. Choose eco-friendly accommodation.
Look for hotels that have implemented energy-saving measures, use environmentally friendly cleaning products, and offer amenities such as recycling facilities.
4. Offset your carbon footprint.
When booking your flight, look for airlines that offer carbon-offsetting programs. You can also offset your carbon footprint by taking public transportation or renting bicycles when you’re exploring a new place.
How can you reduce your carb footprint when choosing food?
There are also several eco-friendly food options you can choose to further reduce your carbon footprint.
First off, aim to eat a diet that’s primarily made up of plant-based foods. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from the methane and nitrous oxide produced by livestock.
Also, buy locally-grown produce when possible, as this reduces the emissions associated with transporting food long distances.
Lastly, try to reduce your food waste by planning your meals ahead of time and only buying what you know you’ll eat. Food waste that ends up in landfills contributes to the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
How does deleting emails reduce carbon footprint?
Yes, even deleting emails can help minimize your carbon footprint.
How? Well, every email you send or receive is stored on a server somewhere. These servers consume energy and therefore produce greenhouse gases.
By deleting unneeded emails, you’re helping to reduce the amount of data needing to be stored on these servers. Of course, there are bigger actions we can take to reduce our carbon footprints, but every little bit counts!
Step Up, Make a Difference! Shrink Your Carbon Footprint Today!
By following these tips, you can minimize your impact on the environment and help to preserve our planet for future generations.
Reducing your carbon footprint is important for many reasons. It’s not only good for the environment, but it can also save you money and make your workplace more sustainable. There are many small changes you can make in your everyday life to reduce your impact on the planet, and we hope these tips have given you some ideas of how to get started.
Do you feel like your life isn’t as good as it can be? We all want to live a fulfilling and meaningful life; a life that we can look back on and be proud of. If you feel like you’re falling short of living your best life, don’t worry — you can start today! It’s never too late to start living the life you want. If you’re ready to live your best life but you’re not sure how to start, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing tips for improving your life and making tomorrow better than yesterday.
Everyone deserves to live their best life, and there’s no time like the present to get started. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get into it!
How To Live Your Best Life Now
Make a list of things you want to change about your life
Are you feeling a bit uninspired by your daily routine? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people go through the motions, day after day, week after week, without really living each day to the fullest. But remember, it’s never too late to make a change! Starting with your daily habits, you can work toward creating a dream life that’s filled with good health, positivity, and meaningful purpose. Identify any bad habits that are holding you back and replace them with healthy ones that support your goals. Small changes in your daily life can have a big impact on you overall quality of life. If you’re ready for a change, here are some tips to help you live your best life now:
Finding your purpose.
Figuring out what makes your heart sing is like finding the perfect playlist for your soul. So, take a moment to tap into your passions and think about what gets you excited to jump out of bed in the morning. Once you’ve got that fire burning, you’ll be amazed at how it fuels you to take steps toward creating a life that’s filled with purpose and joy. It’s time to ditch those snooze-worthy routines and make room for the things that truly light you up!
Prioritizing health.
Taking care of your mind and body is super important, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Your physical and mental health should be a top priority. Making small changes like eating more nutritious food, moving your body regularly, and getting enough rest can go a long way in helping you feel your best. Plus, when you feel good physically, you have mental capacity to tackle anything that comes your way!
Aiming for constant growth.
When it comes to personal growth, the key is to never stop learning and pushing yourself. It’s an ongoing process, so always be striving to learn and improve. Read books, take classes, and challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone regularly. By continuously growing and evolving, you’re adding value and meaning to your life. Trust me, the more you grow and evolve, the richer your life’s gonna be!
Figuring out your finances.
Let’s talk about money, because let’s face it, it’s a necessary evil. But here’s the thing, to avoid stressful money woes and embrace financial security, you have to get a grip on your finances. Start by making a budget (trust me, it’s not as boring as it sounds), save up money to help you reach your goals, and consider investing in your future. With these simple steps, you’ll be one step closer to taking charge of your financial journey.
Serving others.
Want to know a super simple way to boost your mood? Help others! Yup, it’s true. Whether you’re volunteering, donating to a cause you’re passionate about, or just being there for your loved ones, giving back is a surefire way to feel good and add meaning to your life. Plus, you never know what good things might come your way when you do.
Practicing Gratitude.
Here’s a little secret to boost your happiness – take a moment each day to appreciate the good stuff in life. A simple but powerful way to improve your life is to focus on the things you’re grateful for. Yup, just a few minutes of reflecting on the things that make you happy and grateful can dramatically shift your mindset to a more positive place. A positive mindset is essential to overall happiness.
Exercising More.
You know what they say, “Exercise not only gives you a rockin’ bod, but it also gives your brain a happy boost!” Exercise is not only good for your physical health but also your mental and emotional well-being. When you get active, your body releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. So get out there and start moving!
Break down changes into smaller, more manageable goals
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and forget about taking time for yourself. But if you want to live your best life, it’s important to set aside time each day to do things that make you happy.
This doesn’t mean making a bunch of big changes all at once; instead, focus on taking small steps that will help bring you closer to your goals. For example, if you want to travel more, start by taking a weekend trip. If you want to eat healthier, add more fruits and vegetables to your next meal. Maybe you want to spend more time with friends and family; call them now and plan a get-together. And if you want to spend less time staring at screens and on social media (they really do drain your energy), put away your phone and take a nature walk.
Remember, even the smallest step forward is still a step in the right direction. Changes, no matter how small they might seem, can make a big difference in your life overall. So don’t wait; start living your best life now!
Create a plan of action to achieve those goals
To start living your best life now and achieve all of the goals you have set for yourself, you need to create a plan of action.
This can involve identifying what activities and habits are holding you back from reaching your full potential, as well as identifying steps you can take to begin living the life you want to live. For example, one key step might be finding more free time for yourself, whether by quitting a toxic job or establishing better sleep habits.
Additionally, focusing on personal growth through activities like learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby can help to boost your confidence and prepare you for success. Ultimately, the key to living your best life now is to start making small changes today that will lead you down the path toward a brighter tomorrow.
Stick to the plan and don’t give up
If you want to live your best life now and achieve all of your goals, it’s important to stick to a plan and not give up. Whether you’re setting daily goals or striving towards your ultimate dream, staying focused is crucial for success.
Despite the inevitable stress and anxiety that can come with any goal-driven lifestyle, it’s important to remember that every setback is an opportunity for growth. Take risks, step out of your comfort zone, and learn to be resilient in the face of difficulty. This way you can navigate the ups and downs of life more confidently and eventually reach new heights.
If you’re looking to live your best life now rather than tomorrow, the key is to stay focused on your goals while also taking time to enjoy all of the wonderful things that make life worth living – from spending time with family and friends to getting lost in a good book or savoring a cup of coffee in your favorite cozy spot. After all, happiness is found not in chasing dreams but in enjoying each moment along the way!
Celebrate your accomplishments along the way
One of the best ways to set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling life is to celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Whether it’s landing a new job, donating time or money to charity, or simply trying something new, it’s important to recognize and acknowledge all of the moments along your journey that show you’re doing well. This can help you stay motivated and inspired to continue working toward your goals. It can also help keep you grounded in the present moment, enjoying all of the small joys that life has to offer.
So, whether it’s big or small, always take some time to celebrate your successes. After all, they are what pave the way towards living your best life now!
Repeat as necessary
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. And that’s especially true when it comes to making positive changes in your life. Just like you can’t expect to become a master chef overnight, you can’t expect to completely transform your life after just one go. Change is a process, and it takes time, effort, and repetition to make lasting changes. That’s why one of the best ways to live your best life now is to start small and focus on one change at a time.
Once you’ve mastered that change, you can move on to the next one. And with each change you make, you’ll be one step closer to living your best life. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately – just keep going and repeating those positive changes until they become second nature. And before you know it, you’ll be living your best life now.
Y’all, I’m the first to admit that anytime someone tells me they used x,y,z site for getting this or that done more efficiently, I will head straight there to check it out. I have to know for myself! Yet, I don’t ever take the time to actually use and learn it because I’m onto the next best thing someone else recommended. And then my list of things to do, like this blog post, end up getting lost in the shuffle. It’s who I am and I’m doing my best to own it and change. If you are like me or maybe not as easily distracted as me, here are a few tips we can all use to help avoid online distractions.
How to Avoid Online Distractions
Many people are still working full time and schooling from home, but unlike in 2020, when everyone was getting so much more done and had more time on their hands than ever, most of us are back to the daily grind. We no longer have unlimited time to explore and discover new things online. We also don’t have to frequently check social, and news feeds to stay in-the-know. But if you’re like me, this habit isn’t one that you can quickly and easily break. Whether it’s part-time or full-time, many of us are still working from home. Here are a few of my tips to avoid online distractions so you can keep your productivity and focus on what you need to do.
Identifying Your Distractions
Let’s start with the most challenging part in eliminating your distractions, and it’s identifying what they are. When you try to work, take note of the things and ideas that keep your focus away. Is it a Facebook group discussion, sale online, an abandoned online shopping cart, or trending Twitter topics? Whatever it is, please write it down, and once done, look at your list and evaluate how to reduce or eliminate them.
Disable Notifications while Working or Studying
Pings and buzzes from notifications can easily distract you. There are ways to minimize their effect on your productivity. Silence the unnecessary notifications to stay focused during work or study time. If it is on your phone, disable it before you start to work, the same with computers and other gadgets—close distracting websites. One of the most distracting notifications comes from messenger apps and phone calls. It’s better to turn it off in the meantime or hide it somewhere far from your work area.
Set a Time Cap for Online Sessions
Take screen breaks. To increase productivity and avoid feeling burnout, create a balance between your online sessions and taking breaks. Destressing is essential but make sure that you are within a specific schedule. Perhaps, set it to a specific time, maybe 20 minutes for every hour work time. Spend it to stretch, grab a snack, drink coffee, or dance with your pups or kids.
Don’t go beyond the time you spend on breaks. Return immediately to your work to keep your routine on track and to keep you efficient.
Ask a Friend to Keep You Accountable
Seek accountability by asking someone to help you fight online distractions. It could be a friend, a sibling, or a roommate. Let them keep your phone while you’re working, or create a co-working area where you hold each other accountable to finish your work. Another way is also doing it online through a video call. You can study or work together while on Zoom. Just make sure to be true to your accountability goals.
Setting Aside Time for Answering and Reading Emails
Find ways to manage the time you spend answering and reading emails. How? Turn off email notifications. Allot time to clear up your inbox. A well-categorized inbox can lessen the time you spend scrolling through it. Organize and use folders for this. Use automated filtering. Lastly, set a specific number of minutes, and schedule an hour in a day when you can do an email task. So, create an email system that works best with your work schedule.
Changing your Workplace
If noise-canceling headphones are not working for you, relocate to another area conducive for working. Your workplace is a huge factor in your focus level. It covers inevitable external distractions like interruptions from other employees or your family. Studying or catching up on work in a coffee shop might sound like a good idea, but for many people it’s an environment that makes it difficult to manage distractions. Keep your door closed, clear the clutter before you start working or studying, and evaluate how your existing workplace affects your productivity. If you are still struggling, make sure to check out this blog I wrote to help you limit distractions when working from home.
Using Anti-Distraction Apps
While the worldwide web is a place to work, it’s also where significant distractions come from. There’s just a certain allure to current socializing technology like our favorite social media platforms, games, and many more. So, one of the best ways to combat online distraction is to use another technology against it. Build discipline with the help of anti-distraction apps that keep you stay on track. These apps will hopefully help you build a better routine.
How To Avoid Distractions During Online Classes
Turn Off Your Phone
If you’re like a lot of college students (or students of any age, really) who easily get distracted during online learning, silencing your phone or turning off notifications isn’t enough to avoid distractions. Instead, turn off your phone. This will make it easier to focus on the task at hand.
You can take it one step further and leave your phone where it’s out of reach. Out of sight, out of mind, right? This, a lot of times, works for people who struggle with paying attention when their phone is accessible, even if it’s turned off. You might even consider having one of your family members hold onto it for a specific period of time.
Take Frequent Breaks
No matter how well you’re able to concentrate on a task, it’s only a matter of time until it becomes hard to stay focused. Stay ahead of these dips in productivity by taking breaks. Your brain needs to rest, too! Research shows that even a short diversion can significantly improve focus
Best Anti Distraction Apps
Here are some of the focus apps that surely help to avoid getting distracted. These are tools that give options as far as distraction blocking apps is concerned:
Works on all your devices at the same time, so you can block your computer and phone and iPad all at the same time and not be distracted by a different device. Minimal cost of $9/month for all devices or you can choose yearly for about $3.50/month. (Personally this is what I use)
The Pro version is a one time purchase of $39 and you have it forever. Impossible to get out of the blocker once you start until the time is seen through or specific task is complete.
Free browser extension but it is only available for Firefox, so if you want to use other browsers to distract, you can do so.
Hopefully this helps you free yourself from the digital distractions we all find ourselves getting into, and you find on of the anti distraction options helps you become more productive. Afterall, we all have the same hours in the day, and it’s important you make the best use of the most valuable resource – time.
environmental factors. For example, health condition, sleep issues, relationship problems, work or school troubles. or general unhappiness. The good thing is that anxiety symptoms can be relieved, and one of the ways to do this is by practicing mindfulness.
this. Yoga instructors encourage doing this before starting your day. When an important task gives you anxiety, remind yourself why you need to go through the process. If it’s a promotion interview, find it within yourself to focus on the main reason why you pursued it. 
something about just being in the moment, without much of a care in the world, and being one with the outside world while you let your mind wander. 
take a deep breath, and settle on a comfortable sitting position. You can learn different techniques for this. Try deep and controlled breathing or shallow to be present. It works in relieving stress and frustrations.
to set up a home office or at least a dedicated workspace. It helps you stay focused and gives you a working mindset. I used to have an office and desk to work from, but would often find myself working in the kitchen or at the table because that’s where the kids were. And my desk became a catch all that never saw much work. 
tempting to use your extra time for something you need to do for work like a family dinner or coffee date with friends just because your work has become accessible to you geographically. 
person.
creating a positive environment around you, positive energy will come your way and you will be less impacted by any negative energy.
you protect your energy resources. All this means is that you stop agreeing to do things you don’t want to do. If you simply keep giving and giving, soon there will be nothing left to give. 
lower your heart rate and blood pressure, improve circulation and mental clarity, and replenish a little bit of your energy. Your mental energy can be seriously depleted when you’re not protecting your energy, and taking a few deep breaths or using 
individual, organization, event, or product. This includes raw material extractions and production, usage, and then either recycling or disposal. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and are one of the main drivers of climate change. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, which is released when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere when we use fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal. These emissions contribute to air pollution and trapped heat, which leads to a rise in the temperature of the earth’s surface, commonly referred to as global warming. The effects of this include rising sea levels, extreme weather, and shifting seasons.
change. Here are some practical tips that you can implement in your everyday life:
LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. They also last up to 25 times longer!
restaurants that use recyclable or compostable containers.
Figuring out what makes your heart sing is like finding the perfect playlist for your soul. So, take a moment to tap into your passions and think about what gets you excited to jump out of bed in the morning. Once you’ve got that fire burning, you’ll be amazed at how it fuels you to take steps toward creating a life that’s filled with purpose and joy. It’s time to ditch those snooze-worthy routines and make room for the things that truly light you up!
To start living your best life now and achieve all of the goals you have set for yourself, you need to create a plan of action.
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. And that’s especially true when it comes to making positive changes in your life. Just like you can’t expect to become a master chef overnight, you can’t expect to completely transform your life after just one go. Change is a process, and it takes time, effort, and repetition to make lasting changes. That’s why one of the best ways to live your best life now is to start small and focus on one change at a time.
work, take note of the things and ideas that keep your focus away. Is it a Facebook group discussion, sale online, an abandoned online shopping cart, or trending Twitter topics? Whatever it is, please write it down, and once done, look at your list and evaluate 
taking breaks. Destressing is essential but make sure that you are within a specific schedule. Perhaps, set it to a specific time, maybe 20 minutes for every hour work time. Spend it to stretch, grab a snack, drink coffee, or dance with your pups or kids.
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