Many people believe that making the switch to green living involves giving something up. However, that is not the case. Living an eco-friendly lifestyle benefits you and your family tremendously. Making the change is easy, the lifestyle can be quite fun, and ultimately, you’ll be healthier and happier as a result of your choice. The following green living options are great ways to help the environment and yourself, all at the same time.
Clean Green
Purchase green cleaning supplies at the store, or better yet, make your own. These products cut back on both indoor and outdoor pollution, which is good for the Earth. They are also a smart choice for your family; green cleaners cut back on your exposure to allergy and asthma triggers. If you are purchasing the cleaners in the store, make sure to look over the ingredient list carefully to ensure the product is composed of plant-based materials.
Use Eco-Friendly Transportation
Walk and bike to your destination, wherever you can, whenever you can. Obviously, both are green methods of transportation. However, they are also good for your health. Research indicates that walking and biking can help you live longer and also perform better on tests. Depending on where you live, however, it might be a challenge to find ways to incorporate these activities into your daily life.
Take Your Shoes Off
Before you go into your home or enter someone else’s property, remove your shoes. It only takes a second, and it makes a big different. By taking off your shoes, you avoid bringing outdoor chemicals, pesticides and other “junk” into your house.
Focus on Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are obviously important to incorporate into your diet. In fact, many people start plant-based diets because they want to improve their health. It is also important to note that fruits and vegetables take less water, land and energy to grow than either dairy or meat livestock production.
Go Fragrance Free
The next time you are at the store, make an effort to purchase fragrance-free products. Fragrances often have chemicals in them, which are just not good for your body. In addition, if these chemicals are dumped down the drain, they can harm the ecosystem. A good alternative is to look for products made with essential oils instead.
Insulate
In order to avoid wasting energy, and to save on monthly power bills, make sure your home is well insulated. Not only will your wallet thank you, but you and your family will be happier as well. A drafty home is miserable in the winter, and similarly, a home that lets in too much heat in the summer can also be unbearable. Your pest control technician will thank you as well; it is more difficult for bugs to penetrate a well-insulated home.
There are a lot of misconceptions about green living. The truth is, embracing an Eco-friendly lifestyle can do as much for you and your family as it does for the Earth and for future generations. In addition, it does not take much to get started on the path toward greener living. Consider the options above and move forward with your eco-friendly ideals as soon as possible!
