Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t just about not being tired the next day. Studies have shown links between poor quality sleep and obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and numerous other health problems. Plus, so many functions are affected by our sleep health, including:

• Learning and memory consolidation
• Emotional regulation
• Problem solving
• Judgement and decision making
• Growth, healing and immunity

For all these reasons and more, it’s important to prioritize healthy sleeping. And with May being Better Sleep Month, it’s the perfect time to do just that. You can kill two birds with one stone by following these 3 tips for sleeping better while keeping your Texas electricity rates in check!

Enjoy natural light during the day

Our bodies have an internal 24-hour clock called a circadian rhythm. Light is a stimulus for our bodies that tells us when to do certain things, like sleep or wake up. Exposure to sunlight can help regulate your internal clock and make it stronger. It can also lessen the impact of artificial light on your circadian rhythm.

Internal clocks are most sensitive to light about one hour after waking up in the morning, about two hours before going to bed at night and throughout the night. Getting bright light, especially natural light, in the morning is great for our bodies and can help regulate sleep. It’s also an example of how to use less electricity easily.

Turn off all screens before bed

On the flip side, exposure to lights at night can keep you up when you’d rather be catching some Z’s. And that can throw your body’s internal clock off its natural schedule.

Blue light, which is emitted from modern electronic devices, is the worst offender. Its short-wavelength-enriched nature suppresses the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin more than any other wavelength. Exposure to blue light before bedtime tricks your body into thinking it’s still daytime and increases alertness.

Common blue-light emitting items include:

• Fluorescent lighting
• LED lights
• Smart phones, tablets and computer screens
• E-readers
• Televisions

To sleep better, it’s best to eliminate all sources of blue light in the hours before bedtime. This can also result in saving electricity. If this isn’t possible for your lifestyle, try the following to lessen exposure to blue light:

• Make your bedroom a screen-free zone
• Wear blue light-blocking glasses when you use the electronics listed above
• Dim the brightness on your device or enable “night mode” or “adaptive brightness” in the device’s settings
• Keep lights dimmer before bedtime

Control the temperature in your bedroom

Although everybody is different, experts recommend a temperature between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy sleep. However, older adults may benefit from sleep temperatures between 68-77 degrees.

Either way, the hot Texas summer nights can impact sleep negatively if you don’t have a method to cool down. Given today’s Texas electricity rates, using your air conditioner to get you all the way to your ideal temperature every night can get expensive. Instead, try these tips for saving electricity and cooling down at bedtime:

• Take a hot bath or shower before bedtime
• Use a fan to create a wind-chill affect that makes you feel cooler
• Keep bedroom curtains or blinds closed during the day to prevent heat buildup
• Use breathable bed linens and pajamas made from all-natural or organic materials

Keep Texas electricity rates in check by shopping for electricity

Now that you know how to get a better night’s sleep while also saving electricity, you can compare Texas electricity rates to avoid summertime spikes. Turn to Everything Energy for easy-to-use tools and find the best plan for your lifestyle.

Each year on April 22, people around the world make time to celebrate our planet on Earth Day. It’s a day to contemplate, show gratitude toward, and take action to protect the planet, which needs our collective efforts more than ever.

If you’re wondering how to celebrate Earth Day, you’re in luck! Here are six smart ways you can make a difference.

#1 Clean up your neighborhood

Almost anyone can help pick up trash in their neighborhood or community. All it takes is a trash bag and some gloves to get started. This makes a fantastic activity for the whole family — little ones love this task because they get to be helpful and see the impact they’re making.

Plus, this activity can be made into a more frequent habit — you can adopt plogging, pliking and plalking. (That’s picking up litter during a jog, bike, or walk!)

How it helps: Keeping litter in the trash ensures it reaches the proper waste management facility and doesn’t end up polluting the oceans. It also beautifies the areas around us.

#2 Go meatless for a day

Producing the meat we consume requires a significant amount of water — per pound, it requires much more water than vegetables, grains or legumes. It also contributes to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. In honor of Earth Day, try opting for non-meat options. You may just like it so much you decide to go meatless more often.

How it helps: Reducing meat intake helps conserve water, preserve natural habitats and lower your carbon footprint. Plus, a low-meat Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, memory loss and more.

#3 Compare electricity companies

Where does your electricity come from? If you haven’t deliberately selected a renewable energy plan for your home, there’s a good chance your home is powered by fossil fuels. Earth Day is the perfect time to review your current energy plan. You can compare electricity companies and see what types of clean energy plans are available in your area (and also compare electricity rates while you’re at it).

To verify the percentage of clean energy in a plan, check the Plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL). In the “Disclosure Chart” section of the EFL document, you can find the line item “Renewable Content.”

To easily shop for renewable energy plans and compare pricing, use Everything Energy’s search and filter tools.

How it helps: Green energy has many environmental benefits such as less global warming emissions and improved public health.  

#4 Educate yourself and others

There’s always more being discovered about our environment and the effects humans have on it. Take some time to learn more about an issue that interests you — and what you can do to make a difference. Start with one of the biggest environmental problems of 2024 like food waste, air pollution or fossil fuel emissions, or choose a smaller topic. Then, share what you’ve learned with family or friends. It may inspire them to take action!

How it helps: Knowledge is power! Learning more about the issues affecting the planet can empower us to take action.

#5 Join an organized Earth Day event

If your community or neighborhood has already organized an Earth Day event, grab a family member or friend and join in. It’s a casual way to meet new people, share ideas, and learn about other local events to green up your area all year long.

How it helps: Grassroots efforts at the community level can have a powerful impact on the planet.

#6 Plant a tree

We need trees — they absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and provide oxygen for us to breathe. If you’re able to plant a tree in your yard, you’ll be contributing many positive things to the planet, including cleaner air and water. If you’re not able to plant a tree where you live, no problem! You can also make an online donation to have one or more trees planted by organizations like One Tree Planted, the Arbor Day Foundation, and the U.S. Forest Service.

How it helps: Climate ecologists say planting 1.2 trillion trees would have huge benefits in term of absorbing atmospheric CO₂.

Conclusion

Whether you participate in one of the activities above or find another way to celebrate the day, remember: small actions add up. We can all play a part in preserving our planet for future generations this Earth Day, and all year ‘round.

To compare electricity companies, plans and rates — including renewable energy options — check out Everything Energy.

Many businesses — and many Texas energy companies — celebrate Earth Day each year on April 22. But there’s one energy provider that has a tradition of celebrating the entire Earth Month: Green Mountain Energy.

Green Mountain Energy started in 1997 with the mission to change the way power is made. Throughout the years, the electricity company has inspired hope and motivated action through the use of clean energy. From 100% renewable energy plans to energy efficiency efforts to its sustainable charitable program — Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® — the focus has always been on sustainability.

It’s no wonder then that Earth Month is a pretty big deal for the green energy company. Here are just a few ways the energy provider has celebrated Earth Month, as well as Earth Day, in the past.

2011: Empire State Building display, plus get a free tree

In 2011, Green Mountain Energy partnered with the Empire State Building to launch a renewable energy display in the building’s Fifth Avenue lobby during Earth Month. The four-window display educated visitors about the benefits of using clean energy and the impact of the iconic landmark’s transition to 100% renewable energy.

Green Mountain Energy also announced it would distribute 1,500 red oak tree liners and live oak trees at Earth Day events in Houston, Dallas, and McAllen. The initiative aimed to promote engaging local communities in sustainable practices.

2012: Habitat for Humanity ReStore solar array, plus a solar sweepstakes

Through its Sun Club, Green Mountain Energy donated $30,000 in 2012 to Waco Habitat for Humanity ReStore to fund its transition to solar power. In addition to making the ReStore more sustainable, the project also integrated monitoring and metrics into courses at nearby Baylor University and McLennan Community College to foster engagement in and education about environmental initiatives.

Also that year, the energy provider launched a sweepstakes for residents of Texas and New York. The “Bring Sunshine Home” contest offered the chance to win a $15,000 solar array home installation and promoted the benefits and accessibility of solar power.

2014: Solar farm stand

In 2014, Green Mountain Energy unveiled a solar farm stand at Greensgrow Farms in Pennsylvania. Funded by a $20,000 Sun Club donation, the structure included 16 solar panels and would generate enough solar power to meet approximately 10% of the farm’s onsite energy needs — all while providing a shaded area for customers to pick up fresh produce.

2015: 30-day Sustainability Challenge

In 2015, some employees at Green Mountain Energy took a 30-day Sustainability Challenge for Earth Month. The challenge focused on personal commitments surrounding key environmental issues like energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and adopting greener transportation.

2018: Beautifying Discovery Green

Continuing its tradition of giving back to the planet and the community, Green Mountain Energy celebrated 2018’s Earth Month by painting the recycling container at Houston’s Discovery Green with an earth-themed mural. Check out the photos here.

2022 & 2024: Earth Day festivities at Discovery Green

Discovery Green hosted the Green Mountain Energy Earth Day celebration in 2022, which focused on celebrating birds and highlighting Houston’s significance as a migration hotspot. Coinciding with the 20^th anniversary of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Bird Treaty, the event included bird demonstrations, Native American bird-inspired dances, and activities for children.

This year, the renewable electricity provider is set to continue its Earth Day celebration at Discovery Green. On Saturday, April 20, 2024, from noon to 5 p.m., the free, zero-waste event will feature family-friendly activities, live music, art installations, and more.

Make every month Earth Month with a renewable energy provider

Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint year-round and lessen your impact on the planet? Simply search for a green electricity provider to power your home. Whether it’s Green Mountain Energy or another energy provider offering clean energy plans, Everything Energy helps you make apples-to-apples comparisons of electricity plans and pricing.

Start shopping today with our easy-to-use search tools.