There’s no denying that today’s world is increasingly affected by climate change and other calamities, and adopting more eco-friendly habits can be your best choice to help the environment and also enhance your well-being along the way.
As you find your way to sustainability, you also create a healthier and more balanced life while, at the same time, leaving a lighter footprint on the planet that needs everyone’s help. You may consider these impactful habits quite helpful and friendly to the planet as you integrate them into your routine for a greener and more fulfilling lifestyle.
1. Start Your Day with More Sustainable Choices
How do you begin your mornings? Your “to-dos” may already impact the environment without you knowing. It may even be time to switch to eco-friendly alternatives to help out, like toiletries and beverages that can make a big difference over time, like:
Bamboo Toothbrushes
Some studies say that today, plastic toothbrushes (about 1 billion) are thrown away every year in the U.S., contributing to ocean or environmental pollution. Bamboo toothbrushes are found to be effective alternatives since they’re naturally sourced and biodegradable.
Opt for Organic Coffee
Many research studies have found that conventional coffee farming can lead to extensive deforestation and the overuse of pesticides. So, choosing organic fair-trade coffee can support more sustainable farming practices that benefit your health by reducing chemical exposure and helping maintain a healthier coffee intake every day.
2. Cook Smarter, Waste Less
Food waste is an alarming global issue. According to the USDA, in the U.S. food supply alone, an estimate of about 30-40% is wasted each year. That’s why reducing food waste is seen to save resources and, at the same time, can be an efficient way to enhance your diet and health.
Planning Meals Ahead
Your meal planning prevents overbuying and encourages well-chosen, nutrient-rich, home-cooked meals for you and your family.
Composting Kitchen Scraps
Composting is also one of the excellent ways to recycle food waste, especially turning it into nutrient-rich soil, which is perfect if you have a garden, whether flowers, herbs, or veggies.
Exploring Plant-Based Recipes
Opting for plant-based eating reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with livestock farming while introducing to your home a variety of health benefits, like reduced cholesterol and improved digestion and overall health.
3. Embrace Green Exercise: Your Sustainable Way to Fitness
Harnessing more sustainable fitness habits can nurture both the environment and your physical wellness. When you choose or make more eco-conscious choices, you can align your exercise routine with your environmental values and aspirations, like ditching the car in favor of body-forming walking or biking.
According to studies, walking is one effective way to improve cardiovascular health while cutting on damaging emissions, like one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aside from walking, you may also reconnect with nature and reduce electricity use by exercising outside, like doing some yoga in parks or in your backyard.
Also, if you’re looking for ways to integrate eco-conscious practices and maintain a more balanced lifestyle, connecting with Colorado licensed therapists might just be perfect for finding local experts in the field to help you out. These experienced professionals can even guide you through more eco-friendly habits that can effectively help promote your overall well-being.
4. Adopt a Minimalist Approach to Consumerism
When “elaborate” in clothing and other consumables seem to be trending, minimalism can be the answer, like advocating that consuming less and focusing on what truly matters is best and can be healthier for you physically and mentally. Harnessing this philosophy as your mantra can effectively reduce your stress and help make you an endorser or supporter of sustainability.
Buy Secondhand or Sustainable Fashion
According to reports, like one from the United Nations, the fashion industry is one contributor and responsible for some 10% of global carbon emissions. That’s why thrift shopping or investing in ethical brands can help combat fast fashion’s impact. And, by making these choices, you help the environment and yourself become healthier.
Invest in Reusable Products
By investing in and replacing single-use items like water bottles, straws, and grocery bags and choosing reusable options instead, you help contribute to Mother Nature’s and your wellness.
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posits that by recycling alone, people can already save about 5,774 kWh of energy for every ton of plastic. So, your contribution may not be that huge, but its impact will grow steadily.
Practice the “One In, One Out” Rule
It’s a practice that says, “For every new item you bring into your home, donate or repurpose an old one.” This way, you reduce waste, if not the cost to your health, when everything at home becomes crowded and unhealthy or stressful to maintain and organize.
5. Find Eco-Therapeutic Connections
Combining environmentalism with therapy is an emerging trend that can significantly boost mental health. Green or Eco-therapy involves spending time in nature to enhance and balance your emotional well-being, with confirmed studies showing it can significantly reduce your anxiety, depression, and other ill feelings.
Garden for Mental Health
According to scientific studies, making a daily habit of gardening provides a natural antidepressant effect through your expected exposure to Mycobacterium vaccae in the soil.
Forest Bathing
Originally from Japan, “shinrin-yoku,” or forest bathing, involves basking yourself in a forest environment to reduce stress and improve your focus and mental wellness.
A Win-Win for You and the Planet
Incorporating eco-friendly habits into your life isn’t just about reducing your impact on the world you live in. It’s also about living a more intentional, healthful, and balanced life. These changes may seem minor or awkward at first, but their effects on your well-being and the Earth can become immeasurable over time.
So, why not start today and contribute to a cleaner, greener future while reaping the benefits of improved physical, mental, and emotional health?
