UK prepares for second National Downshifting Week with Beginners' Guide

Next week sees the start of National Downshifting Week, an event designed to inspire individuals, companies, children and schools to live simpler, happier lives whilst being kinder to the environment.

Led by downshifting columnist and broadcaster Tracey Smith, this second UK National Downshifting Week - running from Saturday 22nd to Friday 28th April - pulls together the threads of simpler living, supporting the local community, endorsing charitable behaviour, the organic approach, positive attitudes towards recycling, perspective on the use of time and investment in the family. The net result being benefits to the health and welfare of the nation as well as local and global environments.
By way of an introduction to the principles of Downshifting, Tracey has teamed up with Holistic Local - the UK's fastest-growing holistic search engine - and together they've created 'Slow Down and Green Up - The Beginners' Guide to Downshifting'.

The Guide, available free in e-book format, offers the low-down on Downshifting and contains a top ten of simple suggestions that include growing your own food, cutting up a credit card and giving away surplus stuff to charity as well as taking a day off work to spend exclusively with the one you love.

"In 2002 my family traded a mad-rush lifestyle with limited family time, for a more peaceful, self-sufficient one," says Tracey who describes herself as a "very contented downshifter". "We work harder now than ever before, grow our own organic fruit and vegetables and raise chickens, ducks and guinea fowl for their eggs and the table. We live very simply and buy most things we need from the charity shop, with pride I might add!"

A campigning wife and mum, Tracey is also an ITV Eco-Hero Award Finalist this year for her work promoting sustainable living and is currently working on a series for British television.

Slow Down and Green Up is available as a download in Adobe ‘pdf’ format and has a foreword by Carl Honore, author of the international bestseller ‘In Praise of Slow - How a Worldwide Movement is Challenging the Cult of Speed’ who says: "Putting on the brakes is the best way to reclaim your life and reconnect with the people around you that matter most. Downshifting can help you eat, work, play and live better. Slowing down in bed can even deliver better sex. What's not to like? So go on. Don't be afraid. The time has come to unleash your inner tortoise…"

The Beginners' Guide can be downloaded along with a unique downshifting planner designed in association with Simple Savings, the Australian money-saving site. Plans are also being finalised to take this inspirational campaign to tour America this summer, as they prepare to celebrate their 1st National Downshifting Week between 24th and 30th June.

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For more information about Downshifting, visit: http://www.downshiftingweek.com

Tracey Smith can be contacted at: Tracey@DownshiftingWeek.com



Information for editors (How YOU can share 'Slow Down and Green Up - The Beginners' Guide to Downshifting')

If you would like to download Slow Down and Green Up - The Beginners' Guide to Downshifting for distribution through your publication or website, please go to: http://www.holisticlocal.co.uk/downshifting

*Holistic Local is a search engine directory for holistic, green and conscious businesses which plans to offer social and community networking services for people who want to make new friends and connect with others sharing similar values. It can be used to find businesses, events such as workshops, retreats, lectures, expos and conferences as well as courses, articles and other holistic living information. More at: www.holisticlocal.co.uk