Innholdsfortegnelse for Clean Living Guide i Clean Living Guide

Clean eating is a healthy way to boost both your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Although not a diet, it can still help you achieve your weight-loss goals in a positive, sustainable and healthy way. When we eat ‘clean’ we feel an increased control over our food, and in turn, our bodies. We are choosing what we put in and are rewarded in turn with improved health and mental clarity, not to mention a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. By incorporating even a few of the following handy tips, you could soon be on the journey to a healthier and more active lifestyle. So ditch the processed foods, stack up on whole foods and let’s embark on a journey towards a cleaner way of life. 1 PASS ON PROCESSED FOODS…

Sleep is imperative for our health and wellbeing, but due to our increasingly busy lives many of us become overtired. This can cause us to replay the day’s events over in our minds when it’s time to rest, often leaving us wired and unable to fall asleep. Difficulty in falling asleep, nightmares and waking up regularly throughout the night are common issues, but the side effects of these problems can have a detrimental impact on both our mind and body. When our bodies begin to run out of gas our nervous system is also affected, causing us to have trouble reacting to events. This then affects our focus and our ability to make rational decisions. It can even impact our ability to understand and process what is going on around…

We know unplugging from the digital world is good for us. Spending time away from your phone helps balance your mental health and wellbeing, as well as improve relationships. But if you’re used to being online on a regular basis, the initial silence can be overwhelming. We’ve put together some tech-free activities to help get you started and find new ways to unwind and enjoy yourself offline. Get outside Walking is such a beneficial way to exercise, but often overlooked in favour of faster forms of fitness. Pop on some comfortable shoes and just start walking, no need for a plan. Take in the sounds and sights around you, which will calm the mind. Visit a museum or gallery If you’re in a city or large town, you’ve probably got…

Mildew and mould remover A highly effective disinfectant, vinegar is great for getting rid of mould and mildew. Made from acetic acid, its acidity dissolves grease and grime and is even strong enough to kill bacteria. It does have a slightly off-putting smell, but you can counteract this by adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil. YOU WILL NEED ✢ White vinegar (you can use other vinegars, but white is the most effective for cleaning)✢ Tea tree oil, or your favourite essential oil (optional)✢ Spray bottle✢ Cleaning cloth✢ Warm water TO MAKE 1 Fill a spray bottle with the white vinegar. 2 Add a few drops of tea tree oil or another preferred essential oil. 3 Screw the lid on the spray bottle and shake to combine. TO…

OPEN YOUR WINDOWS Opening your windows for just five to ten minutes a day is a simple, yet effective way of getting rid of any harmful air pollutants. Not only will the fresh air aid ventilation, it will also help control moisture levels. A damp indoor space is the perfect breeding ground for mould, a type of fungi responsible for producing airborne spores. Inhaling these allergens has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory problems, asthma and allergies. RAMP UP YOUR VENTILATION An open window is not always enough. Normal daily activities such as showering and cooking often lead to excessive moisture levels. To combat spiralling humidity levels and excess condensation, consider installing exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen, just make sure the vents extract the air outside.…

1 NEVER REUSE A DAMAGED WATER BOTTLE A 2018 study found microplastics in 90% of bottled water brands – and roughly twice as many as in tap water. For that reason, Caroline Sherlock recommends avoiding water sold in plastic bottles. The FSA, however, maintains that disposable water bottles are safe, but recommends precautions on reuse. A spokesperson says: “Legislation requires that chemicals must not migrate into foods at levels which harm health. As plastic water bottles are expected to have a particularly long shelf life and not migrate chemicals at a level that could be potentially harmful during that period, they should remain safe if cleaned carefully before reuse.” However, bottles should be checked for damage before reuse and discarded in a recycling bin as necessary. 2 KEEP CLING FILM…

Behind every clean-living lifestyle is the motivation to make healthier, simpler and more natural choices. But what this looks like in reality can be a touch difficult to pin down. From what to eat to where to shop, people’s interests, preferences and priorities vary wildly. As a result, clean living begins to mean different things to different people, and it’s this multifaceted nature that often makes the movement overwhelming for the uninitiated. To help demystify clean living, here’s a useful rundown of what falls under its remit, along with the benefits of incorporating certain elements into your lifestyle. It’s the perfect pit stop before diving deeper into each topic over the following pages of this bookazine. FOOD & DRINK Chances are you will have already heard of clean eating. The…

1 MAKE SOME ME TIME Try switching up your routines and habits and forcing yourself to be more present and mindful in your daily tasks and activities. Begin to enjoy the time before going to sleep by listening to relaxing music and lighting some candles instead of firing off those late-night work emails. Take time for yourself and enjoy reading a book or soaking in the bath. 2 TAKE TIME TO DIGEST Be mindful about eating too much close to your bedtime. Leaving a few hours between dinner and bed will allow your body to digest and process, which should also ensure you won’t need to get up numerous times in the night to use the bathroom, interrupting your sleep. By avoiding heavy meals you will also help to prevent…

One of the issues with many commercial hair care products is that they strip away the natural oils from your hair and scalp – not to mention they can be packed full of chemicals and parabens. Thankfully, there are plenty of natural remedies you can turn to, many of which can be found in your kitchen! Herbal heroes There are many different herbs that can help to combat the loss of hair and increase new hair growth and restore your hair and scalp’s natural oils, from ginseng, which is found in many natural shampoos and nourishes and boosts hair growth, to nettles, which stimulate the scalp by improving blood circulation, thereby protecting against further breakage. Nettles are also packed with minerals essential for healthy hair growth. Try drinking nettle leaf…

Water, so overlooked yet so vital to our very existence. Did you know that more than half of your body is made up of water and that every one of your cells relies on water to work? It’s essential for completing many of your bodily functions, which is why you could only survive a couple of days without it. Your blood, which needs water, carries oxygen to all your cells, so no water means those cells would die. Your immunity depends on water; it’s contained in lymph, the illness-fighting fluid your body creates when it senses an attack. Your temperature is stabilised by water, and is the main ingredient of sweat, which is used to cool your skin to prevent overheating. Your digestive system can’t function without water as it’s…

Over the course of your lifetime you will, without a doubt, meet a lot of people. As we navigate our way through life, some of these people we meet will end up becoming our friends. Friendships can form when we meet people at various stages of our lives, including when we go to school and university, when we start a new job, or when we participate in hobbies. But what really defines a true friend? What are the differences between acquaintances and life-long companions? And why should you hold on to some and not others? The three types of friendships According to Aristotle we have three types of friendships: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure, and friendships of virtue. Friendships of utility are relationships that have a mutual benefit to…

Clutter is simply having more stuff than we use, need or have space for. For someone who regularly wears and loves high heels, 15 pairs may not be clutter; for someone who never does, even one pair is. It isn’t the same as untidiness, although when a home is cluttered, it is virtually impossible to keep tidy. And often it accumulates over a period, so you may not notice just how bad it’s become until a transitional time such as moving house or redecorating. Why declutter? Besides being difficult to live amongst physically, dealing with clutter on a daily basis can affect other areas of your life and be very draining on a personal level. If simple admin tasks mean long hunts for relevant documents, or you end up missing…

Clothing is the ultimate tool for creative expression. What we wear says a lot about us. But, over recent years, the way we shop for clothes has changed. Gone are the days of having two seasons a year: spring/summer and autumn/winter. If we were to head into our favourite high-street store, we’re likely to see new garments and collections every week. To make matters worse, research from Greenpeace shows that around 40 per cent of clothes we own are rarely or never worn. As most of us already know, this unsustainable quench for something new is affecting our planet. According to Fashion Revolution (fashionrevolution.org), global textile production emits 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. That’s more than that of international flights and maritime shipping combined. Something has to be…

Toxic. It was the Oxford Dictionary’s Word of 2018 and has evolved to become a label that encapsulates much more than a substance that is literally dangerous to one’s health. In the modern world toxicity is attributed figuratively to negative mindsets, unwelcome opinions and even the way we choose to live our lives. But what does a toxic way of life really look like, and more importantly, how can we take steps to ensure we are embarking on a non-toxic lifestyle? The first and arguably most critical point to consider is that a non-toxic life requires a holistic approach that seeks to improve and maintain our physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Allowing any one of these elements to fall by the wayside will result in an unbalanced and ultimately…

There is no one form of exercise that is better than another. There are lots of different types of exercise that you can choose from. If you prefer something low-impact and gentle but that gets your heart rate up a little, consider walking or swimming. If you’re looking for something to work both the mind and body, then things like yoga, Pilates and martial arts are great options. If you want to get outside in the fresh air, then look at cycling, running or outdoor bootcamps. And if you like the idea of being among other like-minded people and trying something new, there is a plethora of gym classes to get involved with. Exercise is simply moving your body in some way, getting your heart rate up and warming your…

Natural beauty can mean many things to many people. For one person it could be the act of making the most of what they have been blessed with, for another it could be only purchasing minimally-processed skin care products. Many people look for natural beauty solutions that are also vegan or earth friendly. What’simportantisthatyou do what feels right for you, not in a ‘I do what I want’ kind of way, but the natural beauty practices that help you feel like your intention and authentic self. Make your beauty routine an enjoyable ritual – nobody wants to make self-care a chore or something that is boring. Find the joy in the scents and textures in natural beauty products, whether they are bought in a shop or made at home. As…

Hot springs are nature’s spa. These wonderfully warm pools, infused with a glorious assortment of skin-revitalising minerals, are actually natural water springs heated by subterranean volcanic activity. There are many things to love about hot springs besides the stunning scenery: the heat soothes aching muscles, while the water contains a fortifying mix of minerals that are dissolved in the balmy water, including magnesium, silica, lithium, radium, calcium and more! Think of it as a miracle multivitamin serum for the skin. What’s more, a soak in the spring can offer other benefits for the rest of your body because the sulphur, which gives the natural phenomenon its signature, if slightly unpleasant scent, acts as a decongestant for the chest and nose, it improves circulation and lowers blood pressure, not to mention…

The living room has taken on an ambient blue glow; pools of light illuminating the faces of my family. I’d like to say it’s the result of artistic lighting. In fact, it’s the reflected shine of our various screens. My husband is scrolling the cricket scores on his phone; my daughter is plugged into the iPad watching cake-making videos; my son is on the laptop, doing maths homework while messaging friends about a party at the weekend. I’m ‘working’, otherwise known as getting distracted by Facebook posts from friends I barely talk to face-to-face. “I’m a big fan of technology; it has huge potential to enhance our lives. But the tech designed to enable has begun to enslave us, having an impact on our relationships and physical and mental health,”…

BICARBONATE OF SODA Not only great for getting rid of stains and blockages, the kitchen staple bicarbonate of soda is also good for tackling several other general cleaning tasks around the house, too. General cleaning ● Wipe away dirt and grease from worktops using a damp cloth sprinkled with bicarb. ● For a quick air freshener, mix 1 cup of bicarb with 3 drops of your favourite oil scent, and put in a bowl. ● Remove oil and product build-up from your hairbrushes and combs by soaking them in a sink or large bowl full of warm water with 1 tsp bicarb. Rinse and leave to dry. In the bathroom ● Scour stubborn soap scum from around the bath by rubbing on a thick paste of bicarb and white vinegar,…

• Strong bin bags for obvious rubbish and recycling. • At least four different boxes marked ‘Charity’, ‘Friends’, ‘Sell’, and ‘Keep’. (When you’ve filled them, be sure to action these boxes promptly rather than leaving them sitting there for weeks. Anything you keep also needs to be put away properly). • A shredder for personal paperwork that you no longer need to keep. • A file with different sections (car, home insurance and so on), so important documents can be filed immediately rather than shifted around. • A suitcase, clothes protector bags and scented sachets for seasonal wardrobe decluttering.…