5 Biofriendly Actions You Need in Your Daily Routine

Well, it’s that time of year again. Summer is almost over and the kids are getting ready to start their new school year. Most parents have already begun the process of readjusting their schedules and taking steps to get the whole family back into their “normal” school-year routines sans all those outdoor, biofriendly activities you were able to indulge in during the past few months.

Even families without children are having to wrap up their summer vacations and get back to their usual workaday habits. But before you settle in, take a moment to check out these 5 biofriendly actions you need to have in your daily routine (regardless of the time of year). Not only will these actions make your day a little greener, but you will probably notice a few of them can help increase your energy levels, lighten your spirits and give you a more positive outlook on life. Not a bad idea, wouldn’t you agree?

Adjust your schedule so that you can enjoy the benefits of walking/biking to work. If you work too far from your home, maybe you and the kids can start walking/biking to school in the mornings. If that doesn’t work, include an evening walk or bike ride in your schedule as a good way stay connected to the great outdoors, get some daily exercise and relax after a hard day’s work.

Do you know what toxins may be hiding in your deodorant? How about 5 chemicals in cosmetics you should avoid? It is important to ensure the deodorant, soaps, shampoos and other beauty products you use on a daily basis are not loaded with toxins and other chemicals. Nobody needs those in their system. Besides, using natural products can do wonders for your health and overall well-being.

During and after every meal, be sure to make good use of any potential food waste you may have. Save those food items that can be saved and used as leftovers at another meal. Compost those items that are compostable. This is a great way to reduce food waste and help stimulate your garden and yard naturally. One of our recent blog posts dug into various composting issues, along with what you can and can’t compost.

If you don’t have one already, get a programmable thermostat. Then preset your thermostat according to your geographic location, whether or not you will be home, the current season and various other factors. To see what temperatures and settings might work best for you, check out this Energy Star® programmable thermostat tool. Using your programmable thermostat daily will save you money, time and energy.

Adjust your water usage and conserve water. By making a few adjustments in your morning and evening routine, you will find that you are able to save quite a bit of water. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, limit showers to just a few minutes, turn your toilet into a low flush toilet, run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full (and only in the evening hours), use gray water to water your plants and more. These simple activities can make a good dent in your daily water usage. (Don’t forget to fix those leaks too.)

They are pretty simple, but these 5 biofriendly actions can make a big difference on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. Some of these changes can even have an impact on your health and longevity. I’d say it was well worth it! So, what are some of your daily, biofriendly actions? Share them below or on our Facebook page so others can take advantage as well.

All images provided via Flickr Creative Commons License. Outdoor image by Rudolf Getel, bike to work image by Jeff Moser, beauty products image by Pierce Mattie Communications, compost image by Charles Meeks, thermostat image by Philip Shoffner and dripping faucet image by Andrew Kraker.