What Is Environmental Wellness & How Can You Enhance It?
Being mindful of our environmental impact is beneficial for the health of the planet and ourselves. So, how can we improve it?
Do you remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room? How about recycling waste or purchasing used items? Although considered small, these everyday actions contribute to the health of the earth by conserving resources and reducing waste. And, if actions like these are part of your lifestyle you’re well on your way to attaining optimal environmental wellness. Environmental wellness involves building a healthy relationship with the planet and mother Earth. The idea is to live in harmony with our natural environment and not take more than we need.
People often forget that we are part of the environment, not separate from it. If we pollute or damage the environment, we harm ourselves as well. To be environmentally healthy, we must be mindful of our impact on the Earth. Contributing to environmental wellness is not only helpful for the planet but also healthy for your own health and well-being.
In this article, we will explore environmental wellness, why it is so important and how to improve it.
What Is Environmental Wellness?
At its core, environmental wellness is about creating a state of harmony between you and your surroundings. Fostering a healthy and sustainable relationship with the natural world, using resources wisely and making choices that protect the environment. For some, it may be about conserving energy or recycling cardboard and plastic.
Others may establish harmony with nature through connection. That can involve spending time in the forest or eating organic foods. Our physical and emotional health depends on a sense of equilibrium and connection to our surroundings. People may prefer to live in rural areas where they can be surrounded by forests, rivers and wildlife. Others might live in more populated areas and try to connect with nature through green spaces and home gardens.
Being environmentally well is a lifestyle that includes being conscious of our impact on the planet and taking steps to protect it. It’s also about connecting with nature, respecting the Earth and creating a sustainable world for future generations.
Why Is Environmental Wellness Important?
To live in harmony with nature, we must take care of the environment. However, is this the only reason we should take steps to improve environmental wellness? Environmental wellness serves many purposes. Among some of the most important are:
It Helps Protect the Planet
First, environmental wellness is vital for taking care of mother Earth. Our planet is the only one we have, so we should protect it. We must be aware of our impact on the Earth and make choices to help preserve it for future generations.
As we mentioned before, humans are a part of the environment, not separate from it. We harm ourselves by polluting or damaging the environment. Making sustainable, environmentally friendly choices can help protect the planet and ensure a bright future for all.
It Conserves Natural Resources
In addition to protecting the planet, environmental wellness is also about conserving natural resources. We need to be mindful of how we use and consume these resources. This means using them wisely and not taking more than we need.
For example, water is a natural resource that is essential for life. It’s important to be mindful of our water usage and not waste this precious resource. Another resource we should conserve is energy. Using energy-efficient appliances and making small changes like turning off the lights when we leave a room can help save energy and the emissions from its production.
It Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
Being environmentally conscious means reducing your carbon footprint as well. Your carbon footprint is the number of greenhouse gases you emit through your lifestyle and activities.
Once you’re aware of your carbon footprint, you can begin to reduce it. Let’s say, for example, that most of your emissions come from transportation. Instead of driving, you might carpool, take public transit or ride a bike. Conserving energy in your home and using sustainable materials can help you further reduce your carbon footprint.
For an estimate of your carbon footprint, use tools like this Footprint Calculator. You can also calculate your Ecological Footprint, which combines your carbon footprint with factors such as water use and land use to provide a more accurate picture of your environmental impact.
It’s Beneficial for Your Body and Mind
Living in harmony with nature has been shown to positively impact physical health. One study found that people living in green spaces have lower cardiovascular disease and mortality rates. Another concluded that time spent in nature can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.
In addition to physical health, environmental wellness also contributes to mental well-being. Researchers say that exposure to nature can help improve attention span and memory. Another study showed that increased time spent in nature is linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.
Being in nature can enhance our well-being and help us feel more connected, grounded and centered. It can also allow us to appreciate the simple things in life and find a sense of peace and calm.
How to Enhance Environmental Wellness
We can easily see how beneficial it is to have a harmonious relationship with our environment. If you are reading Humanely, you likely already care about the environment. However, there is always more that can be done to support the environment and make our efforts more successful.
Here are a few suggestions for how to enhance your environmental wellness:
Be Mindful of Your Environmental Impact
Being mindful of your environmental impact can help reduce your carbon footprint and conserve natural resources. One step to achieving this is to choose sustainable materials and environmentally-friendly products. It could be anything from purchasing energy-saving light bulbs to using recycled paper.
Using less energy also reduces your impact. Simple but effective changes include turning off the lights when you leave a room or switching to LED bulbs, which are 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. You might also consider adjusting your thermostat to use less energy, or upgrading your unit if it has an outdated SEER rating. Bonus — new systems use more ozone-friendly refrigerants.
Choosing environmentally-friendly transportation options is another excellent way to reduce your footprint. This may mean carpooling, taking public transportation, or riding a bike instead of driving. Whatever your choice, reducing your use of fossil fuels is a positive step for the environment.
Make Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
Consuming less is one of the best things you can do to help the environment. You can make many lifestyle changes that are sustainable and promote environmental wellness. An excellent place to start is wasting less food.
In the United States, a staggering 30-40% of all food is wasted. You can help reduce food waste by shopping and using your groceries wisely. For items you can’t use, try donating them to a community fridge or recycling them as compost or animal feed.
Other simple ways to be eco-friendly and promote sustainability at home include switching to green cleaning products and adjusting your thermostat. Consider installing low-flow showerheads in your home to save water or installing solar panels for a cleaner, more sustainable energy source if you’re looking to make bigger changes.
Spending more time in nature is another easy and long-term lifestyle change. Try to spend at least a few minutes outside every day, even if it is just for a few minutes. Try going for a walk, a hike, or just sitting in your backyard watching the birds.
Making time for nature and disconnecting from technology and the daily grind is essential. Not only does this help you connect with Mother Earth, but it is also beneficial for your physical and mental health.
Get Your Community Involved
Another way to promote environmental wellness is to educate yourself and others about the importance of protecting the environment. Learning about the problems our planet is facing can help to motivate you to make changes in your life. Sharing this knowledge with others can also help to create positive change.
You can get your community involved by hosting an event or starting a campaign. Perhaps you can organize a beach clean-up, create a community group to plant trees or raise awareness through social media posts (consider sharing this blog post). These efforts will raise awareness and get people interested in taking action.
Also, you can show your support for environmentally friendly programs by volunteering with or donating to sustainably-focused charities. Remember that everything you do counts and that you have the power to make a difference.
Love Our Earth By Practicing Environmental Wellness
Environmental wellness is an invaluable part of a healthy lifestyle. When we are environmentally well, we respect our environment. We actively participate in the community, working together to protect our environment and take good care of ourselves. Taking care of ourselves contributes to a happier, healthier life and the future health of our communities and the planet.
