Commitment + Clinical Leadership = Better Outcomes

Each year, July 28^th observes World Nature Conservation Day, a holiday that recognizes the importance that a clean environment plays in society. Nature conservation efforts are made to help keep the Earth’s resources clean and available for future generations.

There are small habits you can incorporate into your lifestyle to live more environmentally friendly. Here are some ways you can conserve energy and resources today!

Electricity

1. Shut off the lights when leaving the room
2. Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs
3. Utilize lights that adjust brightness automatically
4. Use natural light when possible
5. Time lights to shut off when there is no motion
6. Unplug electronics and devices not in use
7. Use a power strip for electronics and turn it off when not in use
8. Air dry clothes when possible instead of running the dryer
9. Use task lighting, such as lamps or under-counter lights
10. Set devices to automatically switch to energy saving mode when not in use
11. Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer
12. Use LED lights for decorations
13. Unplug all electronics before going on trips
14. Use rechargeable batteries for appliances
15. Donate old devices that can still be used

Home and Utilities

16. Seal any drafts near doors or windows
17. Check and make sure windows are well insulated
18. Replace any old/damaged doors
19. Seal and repair roof damage to protect your home from the weather
20. Replace any old appliances with energy star-rated versions
21. Turn off the AC/heater when not home
22. Replace furnace/AC filters regularly
23. Close the garage to keep heat or AC inside the home
24. Insulate attics or crawl doors
25. Set thermostat to only turn on when needed
26. Keep an insulated refrigerator
27. Close fridge door when not using the fridge
28. Use your microwave or crock pot over an oven
29. Shut doors and close curtains to insulate your home
30. Use solar energy when possible
31. Clean the lint out of your dryer regularly
32. Use ceiling fans to cool down rooms
33. Avoid using the fireplace and heater at the same time
34. Keep a well prepared generator in case of power outages

Water

35. Take shorter showers
36. Take a shower instead of a bath
37. Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth or shaving
38. Fully fill up the dishwasher before running
39. Do full loads of laundry
40. Wash laundry in cold water
41. Check your home for leaking or damaged pipes
42. Fix leaky faucets
43. Use low-flow faucets and shower heads
44. Hand-dry dishes and line-dry clothes
45. Use environmentally friendly detergents

Outdoors

46. Plant flowers and trees
47. Plant shrubs around the home to insulate it
48. Compost food scraps for your garden
49. Pick up litter when you see it
50. Avoid throwing fishing bait into the environment
51. Buy flowers locally or grow your own
52. Mow the lawn less often
53. Avoid using insecticides, fertilizers, and herbicides
54. Use a spring to irrigate your plants (if possible)

Transportation

55. Carpool more often
56. Walk instead of driving
57. Use a bike
58. Park in a central location where you can walk to multiple stops
59. Do all your errands when you’re out instead of taking multiple trips
60. Shop locally to reduce shipping needs
61. Use public transportation
62. Use a hybrid or gas efficient car
63. Get the car tuned and get the oil changed regularly
64. Wash your car on the lawn

Clothing

65. Thrift more often or shop at vintage stores
66. Re-wear clothes a second time before washing
67. Repair clothing instead of replacing it
68. Use clothes until they wear out
69. Donate ill-fitting or unused clothing
70. Buy clothes from environmentally-friendly brands
71. Swap clothes with a family member or friend for different styles
72. Upcycle clothes whenever possible
73. Buy only what you need for clothing

Food

74. Eat less meat to reduce your carbon footprint
75. Regularly clean out the fridge
76. Avoid overbuying food by making a grocery list before shopping
77. Use paper straws instead of plastic straws
78. Use refillable mugs and water bottles for drinks
79. Buy from local growers
80. Bring your own container for carryout
81. Use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags

Lifestyle Habits

82. Shop with reusable bags
83. Recycle whenever possible
84. Buy only what you’ll use
85. Buy products with environmentally friendly packaging
86. Go paperless
87. Avoid flying when possible for transportation
88. Avoid disposable products
89. Use economically friendly cleaning products
90. Replace plastic toothbrushes with bamboo toothbrushes
91. Avoid beauty products with chemicals, parabens, and other harmful substances
92. Work from home

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.