Living in a Disposable World

 

 

It’s no secret that we live in an increasingly-disposable world. Where once, people would have invested in quality items designed to last for years, we’re now more likely to buy disposable alternatives intended to be used just once or at most a handful of times before being thrown away.

 

It can often seem like there is a disposable version of pretty much everything – from plastic bags and paper plates to disposable razors and contact lenses.

 

Of course, there are many perceived advantages of buying disposable items – such as convenience, cost and choice. Disposable variants of everyday products can often seem cheaper than investing in a longer-lasting product and if you can throw something away after using it, it can often seem quicker and more convenient than having to wash or care for an item.

 

But what is the real cost of our disposable attitude? Well, it’s not difficult to see that disposable products are more harmful to the environment – with landfill sites full of products such as plastic water bottles and disposable nappies. But disposable products can also have an impact on our home environmenttoo. Constantly shopping for replacement products, having shelves bursting with disposable items and the clutter that our disposable world brings can be stressful.

 

Many people are therefore seeking out alternatives to disposable products – not only to help the environment but also to simplify their own lives, homes and shopping habits. Here are some of the common disposable items that you may want to consider swapping to longer-lasting alternatives:

 

Nappies
Disposable nappies get a bad press for the amount of waste that they produce. Of course, they are undoubtedly convenient for parents who may be changing several nappies each day but many are now returning to reusable cloth nappies which can be washed and used again. Some argue that reusable nappies aren’t that much kinder to the environment due to the energy used in the washing and drying process but investing in reusables could save money and many shopping trips as well as reducing landfill.

 

Plastic water bottles
If you like to have a bottle of water to hand, invest in a reusable sports bottle that can be washed and reused rather than buying expensive bottled water that’s packaged in throwaway containers. Prefer coffee to water? Then invest in an insulated reusable coffee cup, rather than using plastic cups from takeaways and vending machines.

 

Cleaning wipes
Ditch the disposable beauty and household wipes and go back to old-fashioned flannels and reusable cloths. Not only will this save money and cut waste but using more durable, robust cloths can often give better cleaning results too.

 

Shopping bags
If you’re still using plastic bags when out shopping, invest in a high-quality reusable shopping bag and keep it folded up in your coat pocket or handbag so that it is to hand when you need it.

 

Even though reusable items may cost a little more than their disposable equivalents in the short-term, they are usually a better quality and will pay for themselves over their lifetime.

 

For more information on how to live a greener life, visit: www.dothegreenthing.com

 

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Exercise And Sex: How One Can Influence The Other

Everyone knows the benefits to regular exercise, from helping you to lose weight and lowering your risk of certain health conditions, but did you know that it can also benefit you sexually? Being fitter and healthier can obviously help you be more flexible, improve your stamina and help you last longer in bed, but there are also specific exercises you can do to make your time in the bedroom more enjoyable, from strengthening certain muscles to improving your fitness overall.

Kegel Exercises

If you’re female, you will have almost certainly heard of kegel exercises, but they aren’t just for women. These exercises strengthen your pubococcygeus or PC muscle, and this supports the pelvic organs including the bladder, rectum and reproductive organs. Kegel exercises are often prescribed to treat conditioned such as prostate pain or incontinence, and they can also make vaginal childbirth easier too. The PC muscle is what contracts during an orgasms, so doing your kegels regularly can make your orgasms more intense and pleasurable. In men, they can also lead to stronger and longer-lasting erections, and can treat erectile dysfunction. Kegels are simple to carry out and you can do them anywhere, from sitting in front of the TV or at your desk at work, to standing in the queue at the supermarket. Begin by tightening the muscle, holding for five seconds and then releasing. Do three sets of ten repetitions a day – most people find they see results within just a few months.

Core-strengthening Exercises

There’s a lot of talk in the fitness world about the importance of strengthening your core, which are a set of muscles in the centre of your body, in your middle and lower back, pelvis and abdomen. During sex, these muscles are important for your level of thrust Crunches are a great core exercises, as well as the quadruped. This takes place with you on your hands and knees, with your hands aligned under your shoulders and your knees aligned with your hips. Keep your abs tight and remember to breathe. Then lift and straighten your left arm and right leg so that they are level with your spine. Hold your position for a few seconds, then release and alternate using your right arm and left leg. Having a stronger core will help you to perform certain positions better and achieve a better sex life.

Cardiovascular Exercises

All exercise regimes should include some form of cardiovascular or aerobic activity which should be performed at a continuous and moderate pace for at least 20 minutes. This form of exercise increases your heart rate and strengthens your other organs too, such as your lungs. The more conditioned these organs are, the better they perform – during sex, this is tantamount to longer-lasting sessions, and better endurance and stamina. There are many exercises that can help with this, such as running, cycling and speed-walking. At the gym, you should aim to use the treadmills, elliptical machine or the rowing machine to get your heart rate up. You can monitor your heart rate at the gym as many machines now include the ability to check your heart rate as you’re working out, so you can ensure it is within a healthy range. Knowing the right heart rate that you need to maintain during exercise, which varies depending on your age, current health and fitness level, will help you stay safe during your gym sessions whilst still achieving the maximum benefit.

Categories: Core, exercise, exercises, fitness, heart, Heart Rate, Kegel Exercises, longer lasting, pc muscle, rate, Sex