The trend of sustainable living has increased in popularity over the past decade; from practicing minimalism to being more mindful about recycling and not wasting natural resources, being environmentally conscious has quickly picked up momentum as a movement.
In addition to benefiting the Earth, Going Green also can better your overall health!
Have you ever given this any thought?
Let’s dive into 6 ways going green will enhance your quality of life and help you make strides towards living sustainably.
I’m hoping after reading the tips included you’ll want to add a few into your daily life (if you don’t already).
1) A Healthier Diet
Your journey to living sustainably can start right in your own kitchen- or, rather, your very own backyard.
Filling your home with sustainable food options, such as produce sourced from a local farm or your very own garden, will eliminate both food miles and excessive packaging.
Food miles refers to the length your food traveled from its source to your plate, which consequently causes the emission of greenhouse gases into the air.
Opting for grocery items that come wrapped up in plastic, tin, or cardboard packaging only adds to waste in landfills.
Making a conscious effort to eat sustainably will encourage healthier eating habits.
Filling your fridge with greener options will steer you in the right direction when you reach for a snack or begin to plan for your next meal.
Help support your transition into a cleaner diet by planning your shopping around nutrient packed sustainable meals– they can be easily enhanced by organic grass-fed chicken or fish for those who crave a little animal protein in their diet.
2) Breathe Clearer
Our reliance on personal vehicles for transportation is a large factor in the tremendous amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the Earth’s air supply.
Polluted air is linked to increased issues with allergies and asthma, and is additionally associated with the development of lung cancer.
If accessible, try relying on your bike a couple of times a week to get yourself back and forth between work or while running small, local errands.
Taking the bus or carpooling with a neighbor is another way to minimize the number of people on the road with their own, personal cars.
An added bonus to sharing your transportation with others- you’ll be able to chat with a neighbor or friend you’d otherwise not have the opportunity to talk with!
Socialization will improve your mood and overall mental health.
Related: 5 Essentials Oils That Can Help You With Stress
3) More Money In Your Pocket
Nothing boosts your mood and promotes peace of mind like financial stability.
Making eco-friendly upgrades within your home will help you save money in the long run.
If you’re in the market for a significant home renovation, consider contacting a local plumber to help in tackling your plumbing project.
An expert has the experience to assist with improving both water and energy conservation.
Switching your pipe material from plastic to stronger, recyclable materials like iron will aid in better insulation during the colder months, saving energy when heating up your water.
Upgrading your water tank to a more modern, tankless version can additionally save you 40 percent on your overall energy bill!
Tankless water heaters need significantly less energy to deliver hot water, helping decrease your home’s usage.
If you’re not quite ready to make bigger upgrades, go green in smaller ways.
Installing low flow shower heads will minimize water usage, and adding a water filter to your faucet will help supply your household with clean, drinkable water!
Going plastic free in your kitchen and making the switch to glass storage containers will save you in food storage costs over the long run while minimizing the amount of waste you contribute to a local landfill.
4) Clearer Skin
If you love your water filtration systems in your kitchen, consider expanding it to your bathroom as well.
Clean, purified water is ideal for skin care.
Ingesting clean, filtered water is just one way to help your skin purge toxins.
Additionally, the pH level of your water has a tremendous impact on the condition of your skin, hair, and nails.
If your water is considerably “hard,” meaning it is highly saturated with minerals and calcium, then you may notice your skin drying out and becoming more prone to break-outs.
This type of water has a higher pH due to its alkaline state minimizing the acidity present in its composition.
However, your skin is it’s healthiest at a pH level of 4.7, and using “hard” water with this pH will put it at a much higher level.
While some beauty gurus will tell you to simply switch to purified, bottled water for use when showering or washing your face, this isn’t the most eco-friendly option due to the plastic waste that will result.
Opting to install a filtered shower head (like this one) and filtering faucet attachments are low-cost ways to make a long term impact on your skin.
5) A Healthier Mind
Going green can indirectly lead to a healthier state of mental wellbeing.
Living more sustainably can naturally lead to a mood-boosting minimalist lifestyle choice, consumption of more organic products, and an elimination of toxic chemicals in the house.
Existing in a home space that is cleared of clutter and leading a life that isn’t overwhelmed by material things can reduce stress.
Additionally, removing consumerism from your life encourages mindfulness and “living with purpose” helping you focus your energy on fostering relationships with those you love.
This can lead to higher levels of fulfillment and happiness, and lower levels of stress and isolation.
6) A Guilt-Free Conscious
When you go green, enjoy living each day knowing you’re making an impact- no matter how big or small- on the environment.
Practices such as eliminating plastic, reducing landfill waste, eating sustainably, or conserving water will help you significantly minimize your carbon footprint.
Making the switch to an environmentally conscious lifestyle may take patience and practice at first, but ultimately will transform both you and the Earth for the better.
