It is important to take care of your body. This is a great thing for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Sometimes, however, what is good for your body may not be so great for our planet’s health.
When it comes to health, we tend to depend heavily on non-renewable natural resources such as gas and nuclear energy. For those who want to be more environmentally conscious, the good news is that there are some simple tweaks you can make. You can make your wellness routine more sustainable by making small changes.
Even small changes in habits can have a positive impact on future generations, even though it might not seem so. You might consider switching to an eco-friendly protein powder like Natreve’s MOOLESS animal-free Whey or working out at home to save the cost of a gym membership. These are just a few of many ideas.
Here are five easy ways to reduce carbon emissions and produce less waste while still meeting your health goals:
1. Ditch Your Gym Membership
Most gyms have air conditioning systems, 24/7 lighting, and cotton towels. They also have saunas and steam rooms. It’s not unusual for gyms to swap out still-working ellipticals and treadmills for more flashy models. This is the exact opposite of sustainability.
You’re less likely to contribute to the problem if you exercise at home, whether it is regularly or exclusively. It is recommended to join a virtual community for home exercise (think obe Fitness, or Apple Fitness+) that offers thousands of classes online. Go outside to do carbon-neutral exercises like running, biking, hiking, jogging, and walking. Bodyweight Tabata is another option. It involves 20 seconds of “work”, followed by 10 seconds of rest, for eight repetitions. You can choose from a variety of movements, including air squats and push-ups as well as planks and burpees. Cycle through two rounds to get a full-body workout.
Also, do consider yoga. It is a great way to relax and rejuvenate and you hardly need any equipment to practice it.
2. Use An Eco-Friendly Protein Powder
Protein powders might be a good option if you work out before you meet friends or go to work. However, protein powders can be a bit of a hassle, especially if they are made from whey (which is derived from cows’ milk). Industrialized meat and dairy are among the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions because of their large use of fossil fuels, water and grain feed.
However, there are a few companies that have found innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of animal-derived foodstuff production. These companies make environment-friendly protein powders with the help of plants.
3. Include More Plants
Step one is to change the way you approach other foods and snacks. A recent study found that the lowest levels of greenhouse gas emissions were associated with diets that contained fewer animal-derived products.
If you aren’t ready to give up meat or dairy, you can make your meals more sustainable by allowing plants and meat to be the “main events” and making meat a “supporting actor”. For example, you might make a quinoa-vegetable entree with half of a turkey burger and serve it with a side dish of quinoa or veggies. Similar ideas can be used for snack time. You can have a piece of fruit or nut instead of something processed and animal-derived (think yogurt or string cheese).
4. Plan Ahead
One wise man once said that “if you fail to plan, you will fail.” This is especially true for sustainability and health. Even small things such as making coffee at home or packing lunch can have a positive impact on the environment and your wellbeing. Research shows that people consume fewer calories if they prepare their own food. This is because it saves gas and doesn’t use disposable items such as to-go containers and cups.
You can also help Mother Earth by using reusable shopping bags or water bottles every day instead of single-use options. Bring a water bottle to avoid single-use cups at concerts and events or whenever you step out. Avoid plastic cutleries or food wrapped in plastics.
5. Shop For (And Discard) Responsibility
The 11.3 Million tons of textile waste generated each year in the U.S. is a large part of the donated clothing. You can sell your old leggings and gym tees by using an app like Poshmark, or give them to a local textile recycling company. The American Textile Recycling Service provides bins all over the country.
If you are looking for new equipment or clothing for your fitness, buy used ones. Many people buy flashy new outfits and machines only to resell them after they’ve been used a few times. This means that there are many great items available! Not only will this approach save you money, but recycling cuts down on manufacturing, transportation-related emissions, and energy usage, so it’s a win-win!
Follow this principle, “Buy the things you need. Not the things you want. ” This way you will not end up with things which are useless for you and you don’t use them. Also, give the clothes you don’t wear anymore to someone who needs it.
Conclusion
Many sustainable wellness options are simple. There are many easy ways to make your wellness program more sustainable, such as changing your protein source or skipping the gym to do a home workout. Grab your reusable water bottle now and make some changes to your routine in order to make it more eco-friendly. It does far more good than you realize!
Pooja Chandak is an avid reader and an experienced content writer. Apart from blogs, she writes quotes and poems. She started writing when she was in school. Pooja currently works as a Content Development Executive for a Mumbai-based company.