In this day and age, the fact that our planet, and most importantly its climate, is undergoing rapid changes is evident all around us. We can see it in rising temperatures, in the unprecedented heatwaves, floods, droughts, and natural disasters – even if we’re lucky to live in an unaffected area, we can constantly see such images in the news. It’s not a surprise then that more and more people are turning their attention to a more environmentally-friendly way of living green.
It’s a big step, and, in the beginning, it might seem a bit complicated but there are many undeniable benefits of such a decision apart from being good for the environment.
What does it mean to be living green?
But before we even get into the subject of the benefits of living green, it’s important to explain what exactly hides behind this phrase. Because while it might seem obvious to some people, to others the whole concept seems incredibly limiting and stifling. In reality, the definition of a green lifestyle is quite simple. It’s all about making everyday decisions with their impact on the environment in mind. And, of course, in some aspects, it means resigning from things we’re used to and changing our habits, but what’s important to realise is that living green initiatives are about encouraging environmentally-conscious practices, not about denying yourself the things you care about.
So now, after this short introduction to the subject, we can take a step forward and look at the benefits that going green can bring into your life.
Reduced costs of living
There’s no denying that money plays a big part in the lives of each and every one of us. So it’s impossible to escape talking about it in this aspect as well, and there’s a lot to talk about. Conserving energy lowers your bills. Limiting your shopping list only to the items you actually need reduces your spendings. When you ride a bike or take a walk instead of driving your car, you can reduce commute costs as well. Similarly, when you decide to reuse the things you already own or buy secondhand, it also leads to purchasing less and, in effect, spending less.
Even choosing a rubbish collection company in London or the area you live in can have a huge impact on the environment – always look for companies that will recycle as much of the items you throw out as possible, instead of simply taking them to the nearest landfill. And these are just a few examples of small environmentally-friendly decisions you can make daily to help the planet and your wallet at the same time.
Improved mental and physical health
When you start paying attention to the things you buy, eat, and surround yourself with, you start choosing them based on completely different factors than just a low price. That’s what a sustainable lifestyle is all about – you buy things characterised by higher-quality, durability, and longevity. Even if you need to invest in them a little bit more, you get to enjoy them longer as well instead of constantly buying new things. This eases the burden on your financial situation, but it’s also good for your health.
Switching to eco-friendly food and products means that you’re gradually limiting the use of harmful substances in your life. This, along with a healthier diet and a more active lifestyle, is a great way to improve the general condition of your health. But that’s not all – once you stop pursuing savings, sales, and the newest products, you’ll notice how much stress it used to bring into your life. Living green helps you appreciate small, everyday things, and this can have miraculous effects on your mental health.
Learning more about the world around you
In order to reduce their carbon footprint, more and more people are giving up on long-distance flights and holidays abroad. Of course, this doesn’t mean they simply resign from taking holidays, but they choose to spend them closer to home instead. And this decision can lead to quite unexpected results – it might, for example, turn out that the region you’ve lived in your entire life is full of beautiful and surprising places that you’ve never even heard of before.
Yet appreciating your surroundings is not just about all the beautiful and fascinating places you can visit. It’s also about buying local produce – it’s another great way to reduce your carbon footprint because the food industry as a whole, but especially food transport, emits huge amounts of CO2. Plus, by buying locally, you’re not only supporting the environment but also local businesses!
Going green isn’t an all or nothing type of decision. You can start by making small adjustments in your daily habits, you don’t have to resign from every single activity that might have a negative impact. Take smaller steps, make changes at your own pace, and don’t let yourself be discouraged even if it gets a little difficult sometimes!
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