Signing up for e-bills reduces the clutter
If clutter is stressing you out, a growing pile of mail only adds to your mental anguish. Sign up to replace paper bills with email reminders, and unsubscribe when you can from junk mail or use a sign on your mailbox. Use dmachoice.org to take yourself off the list for entire categories (think catalogues or ads) for a small $2 fee, or sign up for the free, Federal Trade Commission-approved service optoutprescreen.com, which means you won’t see any of those pre-approved credit card or insurance offers clogging up your mailbox. One less thing for you to worry about and fewer trees lost. Make sure you know these 30 ways to recycle just about anything.
Making your own cleaning products eliminates irritants
A dirty, dusty home is no good for your health, but cleaning products pose their own slight risks. Some of the chemicals in certain cleaners can irritate the eyes and throat and cause headaches, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). There’s also a small threat of those cleaners getting into rivers and lakes, decreasing the water quality. The ALA recommends using simple warm water and soap, baking soda or vinegar as homemade cleaners.
Growing plants indoors will make you feel good
Putting your green thumb into action inside won’t just look nice – those indoor plants will improve your mood. Research shows that plants reduce irritating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. Some scientists say a plant or two won’t make much difference to your home’s air quality, but even so, other studies have shown that having plants around can boost feelings of wellbeing.