Photo by Akram Hossain J on Unsplash
Most people think that adopting green habits will add to their stress, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Moving to a greener lifestyle can work wonders for your physical and mental wellbeing. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life – just start with small changes and you will notice the difference within weeks or even days! Here are 7 green habits to improve your mental and physical health:
1. Move your Workout Outdoors
Most of us spend far too much time indoors – we work indoors, relax indoors, and even exercise indoors. Taking your workouts outdoors is a simple way to reduce your energy consumption – whether that’s heating or cooling. Working outdoors is also great for your mental health as it increases your level of vitamin D – low levels of this vitamin have been linked to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Studies show that over 40% of our population has a vitamin D deficiency, so if you spend most of your time indoors, you are probably deficient in vitamin D. You can also take a supplement to increase your levels. Compare the top vitamin D supplements in the market that health experts have reviewed to choose one that suits your needs and your budget.
2. Look for Self-Production Options
Self-production is a simple but effective way to live more sustainably. Everything you buy at a store required energy not just to create it, but also to package and ship it to its final destination. There are plenty of options for self-production, from homemade food to jams and even natural skin care products. Another option is to grow your own fruits and vegetables, as gardening is a good way to improve your physical and mental health. If you don’t have the time or space to create a fruit and vegetable garden, you can grow some of your favorite herbs instead. Researchers found that taking care of indoor plants helps to reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
3. Include more Fruits and Vegetables in your Diet
Meat from industrial farms have a huge impact on the environment – from the methane emissions from livestock to the large quantity of crops and water that are required for the animals. Including more fruits and vegetables in your diet is not just good for the planet, it’s also better for your health. Fruits and vegetables provide your body with essential nutrients, antioxidants and fiber that support digestive health, improve immune function and lower your risk of lifestyle diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Once you are used to the changes in your diet, you can look for similar small lifestyle changes that you can make that will have a big impact on the environment.
4. Swap Soda for Water
We don’t give much thought to the impact that our sodas and bottled beverages have on the environment. It starts from transporting the ingredients to the manufacturing plant and then transporting these drinks to warehouses and from there, to your supermarket. What’s worse is the amount of waste that is created by these bottles and cans, as only a small percentage of these get recycled. Swap out your soda for water, as this will not only be good for the planet but also have a positive impact on your health.
5. Practice Eco-Friendly Mindfulness
Eco-friendly mindfulness combines mindfulness and eco-friendly habits, which will help to reduce consumerism and waste. Being mindful of everything you buy for your home will help you accumulate fewer items and give you more free space, which helps to improve your mood and overall mental health.
6. Buy Local Produce
Food that is grown locally has a much smaller carbon footprint because it uses less packaging and does not have to travel long distances to get to your table! Instead of going to your local supermarket or worse, buying your groceries online, you can make it a habit to walk or bike down to your local market to pick up your groceries. This is just one of many easy eco swaps that you can make to help you cultivate green habits.
7. Spend Wisely
We live in a world where we are constantly told that we need to buy more to feel better. This mindset is why we produce millions of tons of unnecessary garbage each year, whether that’s spoiled food, fast fashion waste or trend-driven items. Being mindful with your spending is a simple green habit that will improve your mental health because you won’t have to deal with the guilt and anxiety of discarding unnecessary purchases.
