Sustainably maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a very achievable goal and one that more and more people are striving towards. As a society, we have become more aware of the impact that our daily decisions have, not only on ourselves but on our planet. It is important to want to work towards living a cleaner life, and here are 6 ways you can start living a healthy lifestyle in an eco-friendly and sustainable way.
Do Outdoor Exercise
Exercising outdoors is a far better alternative than working out inside using electrical equipment. Going for a run or a long walk in the morning can leave you feeling energized all day long. Another great option is to do yoga classes outside and breath in all the goodness of the fresh air. Not only is exercising outdoors more eco-friendly, but it also has great benefits for your mental wellbeing as exercise outside is linked to improving mental health as it can reduce stress and anxiety. So try starting your day outside, doing some exercise and enjoying the sunlight before setting off on a productive day.
Eat Clean
What you eat can have a big impact on how you feel, and too much of any one thing is not good for you. It is important to have a balanced diet, and a classic myth that exists around vegetarianism and veganism is that you are not able to get all the nutrients you need from a plant-based diet. This is so far from the truth, you just have to do a little research to see what nutrients you can get from where.
For example, the idea that you can only get protein from meat is another common myth, as you can get protein from several foods, including nuts, beans, seeds and dairy if you are not vegan. If you are vegan and you are wondering where you can get your source of Omega-3, try using Omvits, which is a vegan supplement you can take to make sure you get your necessary intake of Omega-3. So, as you can see, there is a substitute for everything, so if you are ready to take the plunge and start a plant-based diet, you do not need to worry about hitting your daily macronutrients.
If you need some easy vegan recipes, there are plenty online for you to experiment with.
Walk More
Walking is good for the mind, body and the world we live in. If you are a driver, try and swap out any short drives for walks instead. If you can cycle or walk to work, then do it! Make the switch, and you will see quickly how much better you feel. It is recommended that you walk 10,000 steps a day, so by making this a personal goal, you might find yourself more motivated to get out and about.
Consequently, not only will you be improving your cardiovascular health, but you will also be doing the world a favour by reducing your contributions to global warming. It is a win-win! Do not be fooled into thinking that one person does not make a difference, because if we all think that way then our world will never be able to change. Every little action helps, so bear that in mind next time you are tempted to drive to the shop around the corner instead of walking.
Incorporate Self-Love Into Your Daily Routine
Being kind to yourself and others is very important in living a healthy lifestyle. It is easy for us to neglect our own needs, and typically self-love falls at the end of the priority list, particularly for those with families they need to care for. Self-love can come in many different forms, depending on what works for you.
For example, it can mean drinking enough water each day, taking a short nap, reading a book, painting your nails or even just watching the TV. Whatever activities you enjoy, try making a habit of scheduling some time each week just for you and your chosen activity. Ideally, you want these activities to last between ten to thirty minutes so that it doesn’t eat out too much of your day.
Go Plastic Free
Going plastic-free, or at least reducing the use of plastic should be a priority for everyone. Plastic waste will never go away, it will always be there, harming both the planet and the animals. According to findings published in the Journal Science 2015, between 4.8 million and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic will end up in the ocean instead of in landfills or other waste management systems. One study says that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans!
These statistics are alarming, however, there are a few easy solutions to reducing your plastic usage, for example, bringing your own bags to the supermarket, using bamboo straws and avoiding products that are unnecessarily or excessively wrapped in plastic. Making small changes like this will not make your life any different or any more difficult, so they are worthwhile changes as they make a huge impact on our world.
Go Green At Home
To live a sustainable life at home, you should consider how to make sure your home is as energy-efficient as possible. There are several ways you can do this, for instance, the use of energy-saving light bulbs, smart heating and cooling systems that regulate the temperature more efficiently, and even just the use of double glazed windows can make a difference as it reduces the need for heating to be on. Additionally, if you have the expenses for it, solar panels are another great way to help your home become more eco-friendly. Integrating Dcbel technology into your home energy system can deliver more energy, faster full-range charging and the ability to charge your car with solar panels.
The key to living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle is to not rush it, it is a marathon and not a sprint. Make small changes over longer periods, so that you do not feel overwhelmed all at once which can make you give up. Take your time to implement these small changes into your life and remember to be kind to yourself along the way.
