If you’re living a holistic health lifestyle chances are you care about what you put on and in your body. I believe holistic wellness is not just about nourishing our bodies and minds—it’s about caring for the world around us. Earth Day, celebrated every April 22nd, is a beautiful reminder of the importance of sustainable living, but why limit our efforts to just one day? Let's explore practical ways to make Earth Day every day - incorporating simple strategies to reuse, recycle, and upcycle common products. These are small choices we can make in our homes, habits and hearts.
WHY PLANET CARE IS SELF-CARE
Caring for the Earth is directly connected to caring for ourselves. The food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even the energy we feel—these all come from nature. When we pollute, waste, or ignore the needs of the environment, we harm the very systems that support our health and vitality. But when we act as stewards of the Earth, we cultivate cleaner ecosystems, more nourishing food, and a more harmonious way of living.
That’s why holistic living must include sustainability—because true wellness means living in alignment with the Earth.
REUSE: EXTEND THE LIFE OF EVERYDAY ITEMS
One of the easiest ways to reduce waste is to reuse what you already have. Instead of tossing items out after one use, pause and ask: Can I use this again? Can it serve another purpose?
Here are some simple reuse ideas:
Glass Jars: From pasta sauces, to pickles, or jams, glass jars can be washed and used for pantry storage, smoothies, DIY body scrubs, or even vases.
Tote Bags: A perfect replacement for single-use plastic bags. Keep a few in your car or purse so you’re never without one.
Old T-Shirts: Ideal material for become cleaning rags, reusable makeup wipes, or even tied into tote bags with a few easy snips.
Toilet Paper Rolls: Use them as biodegradable plant pots for seedlings. Once the plants are ready to transplant, simply place the entire roll in the soil—no need to remove the cardboard.
Upcycled Gift Wrapping: Use old newspapers, fabric scraps, or even brown paper bags decorated with stamps or essential oil-infused ink for eco-friendly gift wrapping.
By extending the life of the things we own, we reduce the demand for new materials, lower our carbon footprint, and keep useful items out of landfills.
RECYCLE: DO IT RIGHT
Recycling is a powerful way to conserve resources, but only when done correctly. Contaminated or improperly sorted recyclables often end up in the landfill. So how can you recycle more effectively?
Know Local Rules: Every city or county has different recycling guidelines. Check what materials are accepted curbside and where you can drop off items like batteries, electronics, or plastic bags.
Rinse Containers: Leftover food or grease can ruin an entire bin of recyclables.
Avoid Wishcycling: If you’re not sure an item can be recycled, look it up. Tossing in non-recyclables “just in case” can do more harm than good.
And remember—recycling should be a last resort after reducing and reusing.
UPCYCLE: GET CREATIVE
Upcycling takes something old and transforms it into something new, useful, or beautiful. It’s sustainability meets creativity and a great way to add a personal touch to your home or lifestyle.
Try these upcycling ideas:
Tin Cans into Planters: Paint or decorate tin cans, add herbs or succulents and line your windowsill with green goodness.
Old Jeans: Turn your old jean into a cute bag, apron, or quilt square. Denim is durable and full of character. My hubby made a new cover for a stool his uses in the garage. It looks pretty cool!
Broken Crayons: Create rainbow-colored wax melts or fun new crayon shapes by melting and pouring them into silicone molds. I have a client who has a tattoo of a broken crayon with the saying “Broken crayons still color.” A great reminder both practically (in this case) and emotionally - that people can always find a way to be creative and make a positive impact.
Upcycling is also a fun project to do with kids—it teaches resourcefulness and instills a sense of environmental responsibility from a young age.
GO GREEN IN YOUR WELLNESS ROUTINE
Incorporate sustainability into your self-care with earth-friendly swaps:
- Choose reusable essential oil diffusers instead of aerosol sprays.
- Support companies (like doTERRA) that use sustainable sourcing and eco-conscious packaging.
- Switch to refillable or glass containers for your homemade skincare, cleaners, or remedies.
- Compost food scraps to create nutrient-rich soil for your garden—nature's ultimate recycling!
REUSING ESSENTIALS
If you are a doTERRA customer, there are plenty of creative opportunities to repurpose essential oil bottles and other packaging materials.
DIY Air Fresheners: Mix water with a few drops of your favorite doTERRA essential oils like Lavender or Peppermint in a spray bottle. Use it to freshen up your home or car naturally.
Travel Size Toiletries: Clean and refill small bottles with your favorite doTERRA shampoo, conditioner, or body wash for convenient travel packs.
Seedling Pots: Larger bottles can be cleaned and used as small seedling pots for starting your herb garden indoors.
UPCYCLING with doTERRA PRODUCTS
Upcycling involves transforming waste materials or unwanted products into new materials of better quality or for better environmental value. Here are some creative upcycling ideas tailored for doTERRA enthusiasts:
Diffuser Jewelry: Repurpose small glass bottles into essential oil diffuser jewelry. Fill them with your favorite oils and attach them to bracelets or necklaces for on-the-go aromatherapy.
Aroma Sachets: Fill small fabric pouches with dried flowers, herbs, and a few drops of essential oils like doTERRA's Serenity blend. Use them as natural air fresheners for drawers or closets.
Essential Oil Bottle Chandelier: Collect used doTERRA bottles of various sizes and colors. String them together with fairy lights to create a unique and eco-friendly chandelier for your home.
By integrating these practices into our daily lives, we can contribute to a healthier planet while enhancing our holistic well-being. Afterall, making Earth Day every day doesn’t require perfection - just intention. Every mindful choice adds up. When we align our actions with care for the Earth, we not only protect the planet but also enrich our own lives with simplicity, creativity, and deeper connection.
Let’s move beyond a once-a-year celebration. Let’s live in a way that honors the Earth, cherishes its gifts, and builds a healthier world for generations to come.
xoDanette