While most countries have resumed ordinary practice after the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact left behind is undeniable. Global lockdowns might have taken their toll on our physical and mental health, but they also reminded us how vital our wellbeing is in the process.
In today’s blog, we’re encouraging you to be kinder yourself as we enter the new normal, as well as being kinder to the planet. Keep reading to find out how to boost your health and wellbeing while helping the environment!
What Is Wellbeing?
Before we dive into some essential tips, let’s take a look at what the concept of wellbeing actually means.
Dictionary.com defines wellbeing as:
... a good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterized by health, happiness, and prosperity. Put more simply, wellbeing is all about living well, feeling good and having a positive outlook on life.
Many factors contribute to a feeling of wellbeing, so let’s take a look at some activities that can boost yours while helping the environment.
How to Boost Your Health and Wellbeing While Helping the Environment
Litter Picking for Mindfulness
Picking up other people’s trash might not be on the top of your list of ways to spend your weekends, but hear us out. When your brain feels a little muddled, and you’re struggling to find clarity, sometimes cleaning up your surroundings can work wonders. Why not do it on a larger scale and help your community and planet in the process?
Join a litter picking initiative in your local area or go out into the wild with a friend at your side. While you chat, you can collect stray pieces of plastic that could harm animals and do some essential recycling to avoid overwhelming landfills.
Here’s a handy guide for solo litter picking should you decide to go it alone!
Start Gardening
According to a 2021 study, people who garden every day have wellbeing scores 6.6% higher and stress levels 4.2% lower than those who do not garden at all. With this in mind, kickstarting your gardening hobby could be the ideal solution if you’re feeling down in the dumps.
One of the best ways to help the environment in the process is to plant more flowers, shrubs and trees. Carbon dioxide-loving plants help to reduce pollution in the air and release more oxygen into the atmosphere. Plus, the more foliage you have in your garden, the more you can contribute to the growth of natural wildlife too.
If you’re short on outdoor space, why not start an indoor garden instead? It will give you the same joy as a regular garden, and you’ll be able to watch your progress from the comfort of the sofa. Recycle your food scraps with a FoodCycler, and you’ll have a perfect soil amendment available to keep your plants bright and healthy.
Go Meat-Free
If you want to boost your health and wellbeing, transitioning to a plant-based diet is a great place to start. By cutting meat and dairy from your regular plates, you could potentially improve your heart health and minimize the risk of diabetes. You’ll also find it much easier to maintain a healthy weight and a more eco-conscious mindset.
If you’re struggling to make the change, why not try a one-month challenge instead? Initiatives like Veganuary can be replicated throughout the year, and they’re a great way to break down old habits over a short period of time.
Choose Daylight Over Technology
We’re all guilty of choosing to sit in front of the TV on occasion. If you’re looking for ways to help the environment while levelling up your health and wellbeing, it’s time to switch off the tech and go outdoors.
Residential electricity consumption contributes massively to the climate crisis, with many houses still relying on fossil fuels for their supply. The more time you spend walking, running, reading or exploring, the less electricity you use up indoors.
Walk or Cycle to Work
Commuting into the office can often feel like a chore, especially if you’ve spent some time over the last few years working from your PJs. Walking or cycling may seem like a lot more effort, but it’s a great way to boost your health and wellbeing while helping the environment.
Fuel-based cars (especially older models) pump tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is the key greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. By reassessing your impact and choosing a greener option, you can level up your health and minimize your carbon footprint.
Turn Your Climate Anxiety Into Action
The final tip on our list is to turn your climate anxiety into action. With the surge of research and media attention in recent years, it’s normal to worry about the climate crisis. Global warming poses a real threat to our present and for future generations to come. While governments worldwide must do their part, we can all make our own unique impact.
Here are some additional ways you can take action for the planet:
- Join an activist group, sign petitions and vote for greener policies
- Shop sustainably and with purpose to avoid unnecessary waste
- Be mindful of how products you invest in are made and disposed of
- Start composting or recycling your food waste at home
If you’re looking for more tips on making your health and wellbeing a priority while helping the environment, head to the FoodCycler blog for inspiration.
A Note on Terminology
The FoodCycler® is a countertop electric food waste recycler that breaks down food scraps through a mechanical process into a dry, lightweight by-product that can be used in gardening applications as a fertilizer. The FoodCycler® and other electric food waste recyclers are not composters, nor do they produce compost or soil as they do not require additional microbes to break down food waste with bacteria. However, the term "electric composter" has been used to describe electric food waste recyclers.