How Adopting an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Can Change Your Life

Inside:  Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle has benefits for the planet and for your own well-being. Although going green is a lifestyle change, it doesn’t mean you have to flip your world upside down and there are several reasons that it will change your life for the better. Here are some of the major ways going green will benefit your life from this day forward.  *Affiliate links are found within this post.  If you click I might make a small commission at no cost to you.  I only promote products I believe have value to you.

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Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle has benefits for the planet and for your own well-being.  There are many misconceptions about what going green really means for the environment and your lifestyle. Many people think it means too much expense, time and effort in an already busy day. Although going green is a lifestyle change, it doesn’t mean you have to flip your world upside down and there are several reasons that it will change your life for the better. Here are some of the major ways going green will benefit your life from this day forward.

[bctt tweet=” “The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for.” —Ernest Hemingway” username=”TeresaCoppens”]

In simple terms, being eco-friendly means you live your life with intent.  This intent is directed at the environment.  You focus on not creating harm to the environment through your actions.  Ideally, this intent should go beyond the individual to how communities and businesses conduct themselves.  Eco-friendly is not just turning off the lights when you’re not using them.  It is more about changing your thoughts and habits to reflect what is best for our Earth.

Stages in Becoming Eco-friendly

There are three main stages to becoming an eco-friendly citizen:

1. Purchase and consume items that cause the least environmental harm.
2. Determine your carbon footprint and choose actions that reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Support community initiatives and businesses that use eco-friendly practices.

The first stage looks at you as an individual and what you can immediately do to reduce your harm to the environment. Next you look at activities that contribute to your carbon footprint. For example, I recently tried the product, Tru Earth Laundry Strips. These are a really cool product.  Each small strip cleans one load and they are contained in a small cardboard container.  No big plastic bottle which means you are immediately reducing your carbon footprint.  The laundry doesn’t have a overt smell when done but there is a pleasant underlying odor.  Better yet, the laundry is clean!

Some you will not be able to eliminate car use or get access to certain products depending upon where you live, your work needs etc.  However, you can look at where you can lessen your impact in these areas.  Finally, it is important to seek out businesses and community efforts that reduce the impact on the environment.  Again, check out Tru Earth.  For my Canadian friends, they are a Canadian company but better yet their products are truly Eco-friendly.  Supporting these things makes it more likely that more of these initiatives will follow.

Adopting an Eco-friendly lifestyle saves you money

A big misconception about being eco-friendly is that it’s going to cost you more money. Quite the opposite. Although some things may cost a little more up front, making small eco-friendly changes to your daily habits can save you big in the long run. Simple habits such as turning off the lights when you leave the room, taking shorter showers in the morning or not letting the water running while you brush your teeth, will send your electric and water bills on a noticeable plunge. Unplug appliances that aren’t in use. Try rechargeable batteries. Let your clothes dry on the line outside instead of turning on the dryer. By finding ways to be less excessive in those areas, you’ll see big savings in your pocket.  Also, you’ll likely think twice about the products you do purchase.

Eco-friendly means buying for the most part only what you need.  If something is overly packaged or environmentally unfriendly, you’ll likely not make that purchase.  Buy local so you and your purchases don’t need to travel as far.  If you do need a car, you will look to reduce the number of trips into town you make saving gas money and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time.

Eco-friendly is Healthier

Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle means you naturally start becoming more aware of the choices you make, the foods you eat and the toxins that you’ve been allowing into your home. Consuming less and being intentional about the decisions you make can have a big impact on your pocket (see above) as well as your mental and physical health. You start limiting the processed foods that you eat and consuming more fruits and vegetables (and less meat) in your diet.

Many of those who take on an eco-friendly lifestyle start their own garden to eliminate the possibility of pesticides in their food. Plus, gardening is a great way to stay active and get some exercise while growing a nutritional goldmine for yourself.  If you can walk or bike more to acquire what you need, your health gets a big boost.  Buying in bulk and reducing car trips is a great way to reduce the stress of navigating busy roads.  Not only are these new lifestyle choices great for your physical health, but your mental health thrives as well. You get a confidence boost knowing you are doing your part to make a better, safer home for your family and your environment as well.

 

Strong Environmental Practices mean Less Clutter

You’ll notice a decrease in the clutter around you when you adopt an eco-mentality. Going paperless is probably one of the best things you can do for your own sanity and it benefits the planet while you’re at it. Win-win. I get overwhelmed when I have too much mail to sort through.  Subscribing to online statement delivery has really reduced my stress load.

When you don’t have to spend time sifting through a mountain of bills, statements and junk mail, you can use that time to do something more enjoyable. Try opting out of junk mail lists and pay your bills online. This will eliminate a ton of the paper that comes in your door.

You can also reduce the amount of clutter in your home by becoming aware of what you truly need. Knowing the difference between a need and a want is huge. Purchasing a ton of unnecessary items will only bring more clutter, stress and overwhelm to your life. An eco-friendly mentality shines a light on the necessities and really creates intentionality about the things you buy, thus reducing the clutter in your life.

These are just a few ways that an eco-friendly lifestyle can impact you in a huge way. Not only will you have a positive impact on the planet, but it will do wonders for your health and your bank account.

Create an Eco-Friendly Vision Board to get started on your Journey

The best to way to get yourself organized to begin an eco-friendly lifestyle is to create a Vision Board.  Cut out pictures from magazines, add your favorite inspirational quotes, and include your own artistic flair.  Create your Eco-friendly vision on Kraft paper or  bristol board.   Don’t worry about having all the answers.  Look around for inspiration.  Read all you can.  And remember, this initial vision will change.  Create a vision board each year.  You’ll get a clear picture over time in how you’ve changed and become more eco-friendly. (The links here are Amazon links.  If you click I might make a small commission at no cost to you).

For similar content read:  Corporate Social Responsibility and the Dairy Distillery  and  How to Increase Biodiversity At Home by Careful Landscaping