Green living isn’t only beneficial for the environment. By practicing certain habits, you can also greatly improve your “sustainability score.”

Improving your health via green habits

While it’s true that practices such as not buying products in plastic packaging, recycling, and taking shorter showers are part of a sustainable lifestyle, there are other ways to live a “green” life.

It’s important to understand that sustainability has other aspects, and the three tips below can help you change your habits so you can live healthier while also helping the planet:

1. Avoid single-use items – A great way to eliminate waste is by boycotting various disposable items. Buy reusable straws and bring your own tumbler the next time you’re buying coffee before heading to work. You can even start bringing your own lunch in a reusable container, and this is a great way to monitor your calorie intake since you won’t be tempted to buy unhealthy fast food. If more people stopped patronizing single-use convenience items, we could help reduce plastic waste that’s produced around the globe. (Related: 10 reasons recycling will save humanity.)
2. Donate items you no longer use and go paperless – Going paperless is another effective way of eliminating waste because it helps minimize paper waste. Starting today, make all of your bank statements and household bills electronic. Instead of buying papers or magazines, read them in electronic form or PDF. If you do end up with newspapers or pamphlets in your home, recycle them as gift wrappers or use them to clean glass. If you’ve had items lying around the house that you haven’t been using, donate them. Check your closets and cabinets and gather any clothes, electronics, furniture, or other items and give them away to those in need. By giving new life to old things, you can help halt the production of disposable and single-use products.
3. Unplug any appliance that you’re not using – Even if you’re not using the TV, leaving it plugged in is consuming energy. By simply unplugging it, you can help conserve energy. Monitor the household energy your family uses, and try to come up with ways to lower it. For example, you can buy energy-efficient light bulbs for every room in your house, and you can lower the thermostat and wear warmer clothing. Turn off the lights in empty rooms, and doing all of this regularly can even significantly lower your electricity bill.

By working together, we can all make a difference. These green living tips can help you live a healthier and more sustainable life.

Other easy habits for a greener lifestyle

Here are other habits that you can practice for a greener lifestyle:

• Conserve water – Water is a precious natural valuable resource, and you can help by conserving water. Check your plumbing regularly and fix any leaks immediately.
• Plant a tree – Aside from providing us with beautiful scenery, trees are crucial to the ecological cycle. Trees are natural air cleaners, and they help absorb air pollution. Trees also prevent soil erosion and recycle water by absorbing it and reusing it.
• Use natural cosmetic and personal care products – Most cosmetics and skincare products contain harmful ingredients like dyes, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and synthetic fragrances. These toxic chemicals cause various health problems like cancer while some can act as hormone disruptors. Use alternatives like witch hazel, which can work as a natural deodorant. Essential oils can also replace perfumes.

Read more articles on other green living tips that can improve your health and minimize the waste you produce at GreenLivingNews.com.

Sources include:

MindBodyGreen.com

Organic4GreenLivings.com