Sustainable Wellness: For You and the Planet

“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles” -Mary Davis

A walk in the park, the sound of chirping birds, the crisp mountain breeze, I am sure most of us have experienced the calming effect nature has on us. It makes us feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

On the other hand, a visit to a littered beach, a polluted riverside or a smog-ridden city has the opposite effect on our mind and health. It can make us feel distressed and fatigued.

We are living in an interconnected world and recognizing the relation between one’s own health and the planet’s health is crucial.

What is Sustainable Wellness?

Sustainable wellness is an integrated approach to wellbeing, and combines environmental responsibility with individual health. It’s about choosing options that create an optimal environment of well-being for the entire globe as well as the health of the individual. Sustainability entails incorporating eco-friendly habits into everyday routines and amongst all facets of life.

The core principle of sustainable wellness is acknowledging the effect of our actions on the environment’s health and vice versa. The other fundamental tenets include mindful consumption, considering long term practices for sustainability and integration of these exercises in our daily actions.

Putting Sustainable Wellness into Practice

Some of my reminiscences from childhood include my grandfather carrying a stainless container to collect milk from the nearby dairy and my grandmother carrying a home-made cloth bag to buy vegetables from the market. In those days, we did not have many disposable items and sustainable practices were naturally a part of our lives. However, things changed as we grew up and in the present day, we need to incorporate changes in our lifestyle to include more sustainable choices for our wellness.

So, where do we begin? I feel the first step is to become aware of the impact of our actions on our environment and health. The next step would be to educate ourselves on eco-friendly practices and action would inevitably follow.

For instance, once we understand the detrimental effect of single-use plastic bottles on the environment, a simple switch to carry a stainless-steel bottle instead would have a considerable health and ecological impact.

Similarly, mindful consumption and minimizing waste are practices that contribute to sustainable wellness. We often pick up items that are not really required. It may give us momentary pleasure but have we understood the environmental impact of our actions? It may lead to depletion of resources, pollution and waste generation. So, the next time you have the impulse to buy something, pause and ask yourself whether you really need it.

Likewise conscious gifting is an art that can be mastered for sustainable wellness. Gifting is the love language for many of us. However, choosing wisely is the key. Opting for long-lasting, eco-friendly gifts with minimal environmental impact contributes to long term well-being.

Instead of giving tangible gifts, explore gifting experiences like tickets to a concert, workshops, or contributions to environmental causes. Thus, adding to a healthier planet and in turn healthier individuals.

Incorporating Eco-friendly Practices

Embracing eco-friendly beauty and household products are another way to contribute positively to the planet’s health. Switching to green travels, plant-based diets, energy-efficient equipment are all ways to adopt sustainable wellbeing.

As the climate activist Greta Thunberg says, “Hope doesn’t come from words. Hope only comes from actions.”

We can move towards our goal of sustainable wellness if each of us accepts accountability for our deeds and makes deliberate choices to preserve our ecology.