It’s the spookiest time of year. In a few short weeks, Halloween will be here! That means haunted houses, trick or treating and tons of haunts and thrills. While Halloween has traditional activities set in stone, there is an opportunity to make this year’s frightening holiday into one of joy. Check out these ways you can take a classic holiday and turn it into an altruistic opportunity.

Donate Candy and Costumes

Millions of children will dress up this year and go door to door trick or treating. Next year, many of those same children won’t be able to fit into their costumes from the previous year. Children grow quickly. Consider donating your gently used costumes to a secondhand store or an organization that will give away the costumes to children in need.

Likewise, it can help the environment to shop secondhand for your own Halloween costumes. Reusing clothes can often help avoid the landfill and slow production of new items.

In addition to costumes, there are some who won’t be able to afford candy for their children or to give to the neighborhood this year. If you’re able, consider donating candy to local organizations or even a neighbor you know who may be in need.

Try Reverse Trick or Treating

Instead of going door to door asking for candy, consider giving back items that are needed at a local organization. Some communities offer the idea of “reverse trick or treating” where you can go from person to person to give them things they are collecting for a local organization or people in need. If this doesn’t yet exist in your community, consider being the first to introduce the idea.

Host a Fundraiser

Charge a fee to get into a costume party and donate the proceeds to charity. Ask the community to donate items for a raffle and sell raffle tickets for charity. There’s always a great idea for a fundraiser just waiting to be discovered. Get with your family and friends to think up something that’s both fun and for a great cause!

A fall festival is a great idea to raise money for an organization of your choice. Get local food vendors involved, come up with games and prizes and involve some fun decorations. You can charge a fee to get into the carnival and donate those proceeds to a local organization or multiple charities.

While Halloween is normally reserved for scary-good fun, that doesn’t mean you can’t get involved to benefit a scary-good cause. Talk with members of your local community to come up with an idea that will best suit your needs. Use this as an opportunity to come up with a new Halloween tradition that you’ll love to add to your list of holiday traditions.

Negativity. It’s all around us, on our social media feeds, on the news, even in our thoughts. Sometimes it seems like there is no way of avoiding it. Negativity can swallow us up, bring us down and ruin our days, weeks, or even months. And once you start feeling negative, it can be very difficult to push those thoughts out and focus on something else.

On the other hand, positivity is often a scarce commodity. In the effort toward living an altruistic lifestyle, positivity helps us stay focused on what is most important—moving forward—rather than being bogged down in negative circumstances.

Living a positive lifestyle has more benefits than just “feeling better.” Focusing on positive thoughts can actually impact your overall health. How, you ask? Today we dive in and see how positive thoughts can make you healthier.

1. Positive thinking decreases stress.

With positivity comes the release of happy hormones such as serotonin and endorphins. These hormones help to decrease our stress levels, making us feel more relaxed and energized. And, with decreased stress levels comes overall better health, including a better cardiovascular condition. When you refocus your mind on thinking more positively, you help to decrease your overall stress and improve health.

2. Positive thinking helps you live longer.

When your stress levels are decreased and your health is improved, you are more likely to live a longer life. One study in Denmark found that hospital patients who had a more positive outlook were 58% more likely to live at least another five years. Other studies have demonstrated that positive thoughts lead to a lower rate of death from illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, hypertension or diabetes. This sounds like a whole lot of benefits for one simple mindset change. So, if you’re hoping to avoid illness and live a long, happy life, start with a positive first step.

3. Positive thinking strengthens your immune system.

One of the reasons you live longer with positive thinking is because it strengthens your immune system. Thinking negatively has been known to cause greater electrical activity in areas of your brain, weakening your immune response and making you more susceptible to conditions such as the common cold or influenza. However, when you focus on positive thinking, this tends to have the opposite effect, and strengthen your immune system to fight off smaller—and sometimes larger—ailments.

4. Positive thinking gives you coping skills.

Finally, positive thinking gives you coping skills when your physical and mental health encounter difficulties in the future. For example, when something goes wrong, such as losing a job, having a strong positive thinking process makes you more likely to respond optimistically, helping you to overcome the challenge faster and bounce back quickly. The more you practice positivity, the more likely it is to have a lasting impact on your life.

If you want to feel better and live a healthier, more altruistic lifestyle, try implementing more positive thoughts into your self-talk. Next time you’re feeling down, turn that around and focus on positive aspects, and increase your overall well being.

The wonderful modern technology and resources that we know and love has also led to harmful impacts on our planet. Diminishing resources, deforestation, air pollution, water crises and global warming are sadly the reality of our world today. Pollution and environmental destruction have been growing for as long as the human race has been around, but it’s only been in recent years that we’ve really started to take a closer look at our global impact.

A list like this can seem daunting, so how can you make a difference in the world? Reducing your carbon footprint can be as easy as making some small changes that add up to big results. Check out these easy ways you can lessen your environmental impact and help save the earth.

1. Use Less Water

When it comes to using water, the little things make a big difference. Pay attention to how and when you’re using water and find new ways to reduce and reuse. Simple steps like turning the water off when brushing your teeth, taking less shower time and using a front-loading washer can go a long way. And those plastic water bottles? Say good riddance! Take advantage of your own personal reusable water bottle for water and plastic conservation.

2. Walk Instead of Drive

According to the EPA, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. If all of us made one small step to take less trips, we would definitely be looking at a healthier planet. If you can, try biking or walking when on your way to work, class or just out and about. Not only do you get some exercise, but you’ll help make the earth a healthier place to live.

3. Use Less Electricity

The burning of substances like coal and natural gas for electrical energy is the most common source of air pollution. You can help change this by reducing dependence on electricity. Take steps like shutting off equipment when not in use, closing air conditioning vents in unused rooms, washing clothes in cold water and turning the lights off whenever you leave a room. Reducing our reliance on electricity also reduces our reliance on unhealthy air pollutants.

4. Buy Local

Buying local goods helps combat air pollution in two ways: you don’t have to travel as far to buy items, and the goods don’t have to travel as far to get to you. Be aware of where to buy products, which helps impact our environmental health. Shop at local farmer’s markets, and buy online from nearby areas, checking to see where products were made. Not only do you help our planet, but you also support the local community!

5. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Making a conscious effort to produce less trash helps lessen the production of unsustainable products that will end up in landfills. Go green by using reusable grocery bags, glass containers instead of plastic, reusable dinnerware, rechargeable batteries and using online and computer resources rather than printing out paper. Most importantly, use a recyclable container at home to recycle paper, plastic, cardboard and glass.

When it comes to saving our planet, small steps make a big impact. Every person can make an effort toward reducing their carbon footprint and living a more altruistic lifestyle for the world. Consider what kind of earth you want to leave behind for generations to come. Make steps today and be a force for change in a healthier, happier, world.

There’s no sugarcoating it—life can’t be easy 100% of the time. Without the hard times, it would be impossible to truly celebrate the good times! One way that we can help people who may be going through a hard time is to express why you’re thankful for their support, their hard work or even the simple act of being a friend. While you could send a typical thank you card in the mail, there are other ways to go above and beyond to express your gratitude.

Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of the bestselling The 5 Love Languages® books. Based on his writing, Dr. Chapman outlined five different ways that people in your life like to receive love from others. While one person may see somebody doing a chore for them as a huge act of kindness, another person may see simply hanging out with them as a way to express their gratitude and love. Take time to learn about each love language and consider how you might be able to show your appreciation for someone in your life based on their preferred love languages!

1. Quality Time

Some value spending quality time with those they love and see it as a form of gratitude and appreciation. If somebody in your life values quality time as their love language, ask them to do one of their favorite activities or even one of yours. All that matters to this person is that you spend time together—it doesn’t matter what you’re doing!

2. Acts of Service

Doing a chore or favor for somebody can be a wonderful form of gratitude. Mow the lawn for your neighbor. Pick up groceries this week instead of your partner. Babysit for a friend in need. Those who prefer acts of service as their love language appreciate when you take the time to do something for them to show your gratitude.

3. Physical Touch

A high-five for a job well done. A hug on an especially hard day. A hand to hold when crossing the street. Some people prefer physical contact as their love language, while others strongly shy away from it. It’s important to know your audience and respect boundaries. However, if your friend loves to receive hugs and you love to give them, meet your friend with a warm hug the next time you see them, and let them know how much you appreciate them!

4. Gifts

When you hear that “gifts” is a love language, you may think you’re about to break your budget. However, somebody who values gifts as their love language doesn’t necessarily mean they are looking for something big and expensive. Instead, gifts could include a handwritten note, a baked treat to brighten their day or a coffee just because. Gifts simply means that you give this person something that says “I was thinking about you, and I appreciate you.”

5. Words of Affirmation

Some people simply need to hear you say it—whatever “it” is. Tell them how much you appreciate them. Say “thank you” out loud. Let me know that you noticed that they did something nice for others. People who value words of affirmation as their love language want you to tell them out loud that you see their efforts, you appreciate them and you simply love them for them!

Take the time to find out how those around you like to receive gratitude, appreciation and love. You’ll find that meeting them with the love language they most appreciate will help strengthen your relationships. Have a conversation with your loved ones, and see what you both value as your love languages!

We all remember the glory days of high school. History, algebra, maybe a P.E. day every now and then and of course…. the dreaded writing class. We know; some days it felt like agony trying to get one single idea out on paper.

However, your scary old English teacher may have actually been on to something. Journaling can not only improve your personal life, but it can also improve your altruistic focus. As it turns out, regular writing in a journal has a lot of surprising mental and emotional health benefits. Check out these six reasons you should consider picking up a pen and writing!

1. Emotional Outlet

Step one: emotional intelligence. Holding in emotions—especially sad, angry, or negative ones—has been shown to have incredibly detrimental effects on a person’s health. Daily journaling allows you to release these emotions in a safe, non-judgemental environment, while increasing your self-awareness and emotional perception. Getting negative stuff out on paper leaves more room for positivity to fill you up, leading to a happier and healthier lifestyle.

2. Stress Reduction

With emotional intelligence also comes less stress. Oftentimes, we feel overwhelmed at situations we perceive as uncontrollable. However, writing about these experiences and actually seeing them on paper gives us something to grasp mentally, helping to reduce our stress levels about the issue. A study by Psychology Today showed journaling not only reduces stress, but also lowers anxiety and induces a deeper sleep.

3. Creativity Boost

This one’s a no-brainer. The more you write, the more practice you have to get those creative juices flowing. You’ve probably heard this saying before:

“The question isn’t whether or not we’re creative, it is how to let the creativity out.” 

Regular writing gives you the opportunity to brainstorm new ideas, thoughts and questions, pushing you out of your comfort zone and into a brand new creative realm.

4. Mental Engagement

Of course, the more creative we feel, the more our brains are challenged, and the more we are mentally engaged, which can literally strengthen our IQ. As journaling is an exploration of language, it causes us to search for new words, challenge ideas and strengthen our vocabulary. So, your English teacher was right—writing does make you smarter.

5. Self-Discipline

Setting aside time each day to journal and then sticking to it creates a more disciplined lifestyle, which is a valuable asset. Self-discipline can then seep into other areas of life, like getting your work assignments done on time, following through on relationship promises or even eating healthier. When it comes to making a positive change, nothing is more important than having a strong self-discipline.

6. Goal Setting

Finally, one of the greatest benefits of all: journaling helps you set and achieve your goals. When we journal, we write about our aspirations, our dreams and our goals. Putting these words to paper and actually writing out what we want to accomplish makes them much more realistic—and realistic equates to achievable. Writing down goals tells your brain “this is important.” Then, your brain is more prepared to mark relevant opportunities and tools to achieve the goal.

While writing might not have been your favorite class in high school, you may feel differently today. Keeping a daily journal has enormous benefits, and encourages us to live a happier, healthier and more altruistic life. Whether you’re sitting at home, relaxing in the park or enjoying your favorite restaurant, crack open your journal and get to writing… you may just be surprised at everything you have to say!

Another month has come and gone, and it’s time to wish you all a happy September! This month is recognized as Self Improvement Month, and today we’re talking about impactful ways you can celebrate. Just as the leaves change, so can our habits and how we feel about ourselves. Use this as a time of renewal to reset for the rest of the year and work on being the best version of yourself. The time to reflect is now, so check out these steps you can take to celebrate Self Improvement Month this September.

Reflect on the Year So Far

Believe it or not, we only have a few months left in 2022. Think back to the sense of renewal you may have experienced in January. Who says you can’t feel that same sense of renewal now? Take time to reflect on what you have accomplished. This could be related to your personal life, your work life, your altruistic life or any other aspect of your life you can think of. Write it down. Be proud of those accomplishments! Seeing how far you have already come will help inspire you to keep pushing forward to achieve even more the remainder of the year.

Consider Your Goals, New and Old

Consider the last time you set goals for yourself. When was it? Did you achieve them? Why do you think you did or didn’t reach those goals? Understanding how you operated in the past can help inform your future. Now that you’ve reflected on your year so far, it’s time to build new goals based on what you learned in the past. Maybe you need to create smaller goals to lead to a bigger goal. Or, maybe you easily completed your former goals and you need to set your sights higher this next go around.

Find Somebody to Look Up To

No matter your age, you can always learn from others around you. A common misconception about mentorship is that it has to be adults mentoring youth. Find somebody in your life that you look up to, and ask to have a cup of coffee with them, or grab a bite to eat. Pick their brain about topics that are important to your self improvement that you admire about your peer. Chances are, they look up to just as many qualities that you possess!

Read a Book

Knowledge is something that nobody in the world can master. That’s because there is always something new to be learned, no matter how much you may already know. There are all types of books you can read to improve, including self-help books, goal-setting books, a book about a hobby you want to learn or virtually anything that strikes your interest. This is your sign to get lost in a book. Then, challenge yourself to discuss it with others around you to help spread what you’ve learned!

Give Back to Others

Self-improvement spans beyond yourself. Being the best version of yourself means you’re also spreading kindness into the world. Use September to think of the ways you want to give back to your community and the world. This could be as simple as performing a random act of kindness each week. You could also sign up to volunteer in your local community. Become a mentor for a child at a local school through their mentorship programs. Think of ways to give back that would be most fulfilling to you, and then find out how you can put them into action.

This September, remember to focus on you and your personal growth. Even small steps can add up to huge results over time. It all starts now! Take the time you need to reflect, define new goals and surround yourself with the people and resources you need to succeed. Most of all, remember that self-improvement spans beyond yourself. Give back what you hope to get out of the world!

When you’re feeling your best, you’re able to put positivity into the world. However, when life gets hard, it can be hard to stay positive. Being positive is just something you either have or you don’t, right? In reality, there are actionable ways you can project more positivity into your life. All it takes is a little practice. Check out these tips to stay positive, and put your best foot forward into the world so that you can be your best self.

Write It Down

Even though life is hard, there is always beauty in the world around you. Consider what you’re thankful for and write it down. It’s easy to focus on the hard or bad things going on in your life and to forget about the good things going on around you. Putting your positive thoughts down on paper can help reaffirm those thoughts for you.

Accept What You Can and Can’t Control

Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows—and that’s okay! Change your way of thinking by identifying the things within your control, as well as the things outside of your control. Making a list of the things outside of your control can help you realize where you can take action.

Talk Kindly to Yourself

Positive affirmations toward yourself can help you truly believe the positivity yourself. Practice telling yourself what you like about yourself out loud in front of the mirror. This may seem silly at first, but in order to put positivity into the world, you have to truly believe it yourself. Repeat your positive affirmations every morning before you start your day.

Meditate

Sometimes negativity can come from all of the factors surrounding us. Things like social media, pop culture or problems that others are having can influence how you’re also feeling without you even realizing it. Take time to meditate to block out the outside world. Use a guided meditation app or look up videos online to get started!

Cut Yourself Some Slack

It’s an easy response when you’re feeling down to try to fix it immediately or think about how you should be doing something to fix it and you aren’t. This leads to a spiral where you are not only having negative thoughts, but you’re prolonging positivity by thinking about how you aren’t being positive. Give yourself some grace. We’re all human, and we all have days where we aren’t productive, or don’t have it in us to do the things on our to do list. That’s okay! Tell yourself that you need the time to rest and recharge, and that you’ll be back better than ever tomorrow.

Find Something to Laugh About

It’s true that laughing authentically isn’t something you can simply do on command. However, there are ways you can try to inject humor into your life. Turn on a show or movie you find to be particularly funny. Spend time with friends or family who make you smile. Attend a comedy show. Think about the things that make you laugh or smile, and make an effort to spend time doing those things. You’ll leave with a smile on your face and a newfound sense of positivity.

Positivity is something you may not always possess, but there are ways to bring it into your life. Surround yourself with positive people, and remind yourself of the positive things in your life and the positive qualities you have. Take the time you need to rest and recharge. In order to do good for the world, you also need to be feeling your best!

The hardest part about starting a new venture is simply that—getting started. You have a passion for doing good in the world and want to give back, but you also want to make sure you connect with the cause. Where to begin!? Use these tips to find a cause you’re passionate about supporting, which will help you build a long-standing relationship.

Consider Your Interests

Sometimes, a passion for a certain cause simply happens upon you because you have a direct connection to the cause. Other times, you need to think more closely about what you’re truly passionate about changing. There are organizations out there that support all types of passions. For example, organizations and those they are helping could include:

• Helping fight homelessness
• Helping support the environment
• Providing educational resources for those in need
• Supporting animal shelters and pets
• Providing food or necessities
• Mentoring or camps for our youth
• Organizations to benefit your specific community

Consider what most strikes a chord with your passions and start there. The more you learn, the more you just might find yourself inspired to make a difference.

Talk to Your Peers

Sometimes the best form of marketing is word of mouth from those you trust most. Have a conversation with your family and friends about which organizations they support and why. If the people most important to you are supporting organizations most important to them, you just might find that you also care about those groups! Sometimes all it takes is starting the dialogue.

Volunteer Far and Wide

Sometimes the best way to find out if you are interested in a cause is to dive right in. Pick three organizations you’d like to learn more about and sign up to volunteer. This will also give you a chance to interact with the staff and other supporters of the organization to learn what you can. Most of all, it’ll give you a front-row seat to the change the organization is making.

Ask a Current Supporter

What makes a current supporter love the organization you’re considering supporting? Ask them! When you volunteer for the first time at an organization, use it as an opportunity to seek out a seasoned supporter and ask them what they love about the nonprofit! If you’d like to get a head start, you can also call up an organization and ask to speak to one of their volunteers to ask any questions you may have.

Do Your Research

There is a ton of information online, including websites, social media and reviews for nonprofit organizations. See what others are saying! Once you’ve found an organization you’re considering, check out their online presence to see what you learn. It’s always important to fact check what you find, but online is a great place to start researching.

Taking the first step to volunteer or get involved with an organization is hard, but these steps can help you dive in! Ask questions to the organization, do your research online, talk to your family and friends and make the decision that ultimately works for you. Remember that the more passionate you are about the organization, the more inspired you’ll be to make a difference in the world!

It’s time to hit the books and pack a backpack, because the end of summer vacation is coming (or already here!) for millions of students. There’s a focus on renewal, new journeys and anticipation of learning to come. That’s why it’s the perfect time to also focus on teaching altruism during this back-to-school time! Check out these six tips to incorporate altruism in your back-to-school activities, no matter what stage of life you’re in!

Organize Classroom Volunteering

If you have a little one going back to the classroom, ask about volunteer initiatives that are planned for the year. If they don’t exist, ask if the teacher would be willing to let you help plan. When we teach our younger students the importance of volunteering and giving back at an early age, it helps instill these values for life. It’s never too early to teach about giving back.

Donate Back-to-School Supplies

Many children will be going back to school but may not have the funds to buy the necessary school supplies. If you can help, buy some extra supplies this year and donate to a classroom. Many fundraisers also exist to help clear teachers’ wish lists! You could even organize a fundraiser in your community or with your friends to help double your efforts.

Become a Mentor

With a new school year comes new students who may be looking for somebody they can look up to and who can guide them as they continue to learn and grow. Look for mentorship organizations or speak directly with the school to see if mentorship programs exist where you could sign up to mentor students. Often, you’ll get just as much out of the mentorship program as the student you’re helping.

Donate Books

All classrooms have one thing in common—they need books! No matter the age, no matter the grade, books are an important part of the classroom experience. Look on local social media groups or speak with schools directly to see what types of books may be needed for the coming year. Organize some friends to go out and buy some new or gently used books to help stock classrooms!

Implement Programs at Nearby Schools

Even if you don’t have school-aged children, you can still help our youth get involved by learning more about local programs available for volunteering at schools. Often, schools will do a school-wide giving initiative or classrooms will have a volunteering day or giving component. If you have an organization you love, consider asking them if they have approached schools with the idea of involving kids for a day of giving.

Set School-Year Goals

Whether you have children going back to school or you’re simply looking for a time of renewal, use this as a reminder to set goals for the coming year. Include altruistic ideas that you hope to achieve in the coming months. Perform a number of random acts of kindness. Raise a certain amount of money for your favorite charity. Focus on your personal health by committing to running a specified distance. Think about personalizing the goals and lining them up with who you want to be and what you want to work toward.

Back-to-school time can be a learning experience for everybody, even if you don’t have school aged children. It’s a time to remember that no matter where you are in life, you can continue to learn! Consider donating supplies, linking up with a local organization or helping to shape the youth who are also our future!

It covers 70% of the Earth, makes up about 60% of the human body and is the foundation of life for almost all living things. What is it? You guessed it: water. Water is vital to our existence and to our wellbeing, but in recent decades pollution and other harmful practices have consistently damaged the water we live by, drink and cook with.

Needless to say, clean water is important. During a month when everyone is out enjoying lakes, rivers, oceans and having tall glasses of ice-cold water, it becomes even more apparent how important quality water is. This August, we celebrate National Water Quality Month. How can you have an impact on water quality? We’ve got some ideas for the role you play in making a difference.

Avoid flushing medications.

Avoid flushing any old or unused medications down your toilet at home or down the sink. Pipes can lead back into a general water source which then gets contaminated with your medication.

Don’t hose off the driveway.

Always sweep your driveway to keep it clean, rather than hosing it off. When washing your car, use a commercial car wash whenever possible rather than doing it yourself at home. When chemicals run down your driveway into the storm drain they flow directly into lakes and streams.

Pick up after your pooch.

Seriously, people. When it rains, that water picks up poop particles from your pooch and can then go into different water systems. We can speak for everybody when we say that nobody wants that!

Watch out for litter.

We all know to avoid littering, but go a step further and keep an eye out for any litter wherever you go. Whenever possible, pick it up and put it in the proper disposable bin.

Stop overusing chemicals.

Pesticides and fertilizers can have a proper use, but avoid overusing them whenever possible. The chemicals can travel through runoff water and soil, thus contaminating groundwater.

Stay phosphate-free.

Help save our lakes and rivers by choosing nontoxic household products, and using phosphate-free items like detergent.

Join a cleanup project.

If you want to go a step beyond preventative care, be proactive by joining a local or national clean up project that works on our beaches, streams or wetlands. Many governmental or nonprofit organizations often have events or projects that focus on enhancing the quality of local water sources. See how you can get involved and give back to make sure that your and everyone’s water is clean.

Educate yourself.

Finally, take some time this month to educate yourself on what’s actually in your water, the quality of your water and how it can further be improved. Knowledge is power, and the more knowledgeable you are, the more you can make a difference.

Water sustains life. Therefore, it’s vitally important to all of us. This August, celebrate National Water Quality Month by being aware of your water habits and taking steps to ensure clean water for everyone. When we have clean water, we can lead satisfying lives.