Conservation

The dictionary defines the word ‘conserve’ as “prevent the wasteful or harmful overuse of (a resource).” I remember some of the conservation measures that were part of our everyday life when growing up. Nowadays it’s often referred to as upcycling.  Many of these practices and techniques are worth remembering and continuing today.

Upcycling and conservation processes from the past:

Reuse Empty glass jars

Were repurposed to store buttons, paper clips, etc.

Reusing the rinse water from the first load of laundry

We would use this to wash the next load of laundry.  With the invention of the washing machine, this practice of conserving water is almost impossible.

Removing buttons from old clothing

Many times I was assigned the task of removing buttons from clothing before it was recycled. When clothing could not be worn again, that item became a cleaning cloth.

Always turn off lights when leaving the room

This one, although still a common practice today, sometimes lights are left on when the intention is to return shortly.

What are some of the conservation methods you remember from the past?

You can probably add to this list. I’d love to hear, in the comments below, some of the things you did, or what you do now to conserve resources.

There was a time when we got away from conserving.

As we better understand the impact on the environment, we started conserving again. For example, I am now taking my reusable bags to the store even if I must bag the items myself.

Should we conserve in all areas of our life?

That depends. When it comes to the environment, using less water or driving less, the answer is yes. The more we conserve, the better.  The idea in that is it not only helps us, but also helps others.

There are some areas where conservation is not helpful

Such as moving less. Science has confirmed what many of you already know: that lack of movement might conserve energy for the moment but is detrimental to your overall health leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and health issues.

The less you move, the less energy you have. Besides, our bodies are meant to move, improving your emotional and physical well-being. It’s just that simple. Except that we all know that it’s not that simple to get started if you do not have a movement habit.

Ask yourself:

What will it take to get moving?

What is the one thing you can do that would make your heart sing?

Could it be:

• Riding a bike outside?
• Taking a walk with a friend?
• Playing tennis again?

The list is endless.

Start by finding the one thing that you can do today that will get you moving, make you happy, and can do.

Now is not the time to walk 10 miles a day.

Start small, working your way to your goal by taking it one day at a time.

Keep increasing the intensity or repetitions of the activity. Listen to your body. It will tell you if you are doing too much. You can do this!

What will it take to get you moving again?

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