There is so much that we receive from Mother Earth every day, and she never seems to be asking for anything in return. But instead of showing gratitude and respect, we have managed to find new and innovative ways to destroy our natural habitats, endanger forests and animals, and even create environmental crises that are affecting our wellbeing.

In 2020, we are well on the way of needing a serious intervention – a wake-up call. Yet, no matter what form these wake-up calls come in, we seem to look past them and focus on the next thing to own, the next shortcut to take, the next resource to exploit.

But if you’ve recognized the need to be kind and mindful, and if you’re aware of the fact that your environment has a direct influence on your physical, mental, and spiritual health, then it’s important that you start taking actionable steps right now. They don’t have to be big, nor do they have to be drastic changes from what you’re used to. Every little thing counts. And you’ll find that eco-consciousness isn’t only doable, but that it’s a practice that will help you reconnect with nature, your community, and yourself.

The following are small and easy things you can do to be kind to the world around you.

1.   Go vegan

One of the biggest things you can do for the environment (as well as for yourself) is to go vegan. Cutting out animal products from your diet isn’t only scientifically proven to be better for you, but it can also have a huge impact on your carbon footprint. It reduces carbon emissions, protects the soil, and helps conserve water. Your impact will be even more positive if you decide to purchase locally grown, organic produce, which doesn’t have to be transported from halfway across the world and supports farmers in your local community.

The plant world is filled with infection, virus, and cancer-fighting superfoods, and you can easily take full advantage of them. With millions of tasty vegan recipes to be found online, you’ll always have delicious options for what to cook up, and you’ll enjoy a healthy and resilient body.

2.   Conserve water

If you live in certain parts of the world, you probably already know about the importance of conserving water. But not everyone understands that our supply of clean drinking water is becoming limited by the day. Unfortunately, households across the world waste this precious resource without being aware of it. Using plastic, purchasing fast fashion, and driving, all have a serious impact on how much drinking water there’s left in the world.

Try to take small steps to conserve water: take shorter showers, turn the tap off while you brush your teeth, collect rainwater in barrels, and minimize the amount of stuff you buy. These are all easy habits to acquire, and they can have a hugely beneficial impact in the long run.

3.   Drive less

While you may not be able to walk absolutely everywhere, you can do your best to minimize the time you spend in your car. Especially on your daily commute. Instead of driving, why not take public transport, share a ride with colleagues, or, better yet, ride an eco-friendly bike? Nowadays, you can easily find an e-bike made for snowy conditions, so you can ride it all year round, without having to worry about safety or efficiency.

4.   Ditch harsh chemicals

Most of us have been taught that only those environments which have been sterilized with harsh chemicals are safe to spend time in. In reality, that’s as far from the truth as possible. There’s absolutely no need to use bleach around your house, and even less need to reach for conventional cleaning supplies. These can wreak havoc on our ecosystem, and furthermore, can cause serious health problems when inhaled.

Luckily, this doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to a sparkling clean home. All you need is a bit of vinegar, baking soda, and perhaps a few drops of essential oils. These will be just as effective at killing bacteria as that store-bought cleaning product, without causing damage to your health, or having a negative impact on your environment.

5.   Go back to nature & spirituality

In our digital lives, we’ve completely lost touch with the very place we came from. Realizing this and working to remedy it can have a hugely positive impact on your overall wellbeing, and it can teach you new ways of being more in sync with Mother Earth.

Spend time outside as much as you can. Hike, work in your garden, or just take a barefoot walk on the beach. Spend time meditating, or even just being in the sun. Even better, start your day with yoga practice. You’ll quickly see that just allowing yourself to be outside can have a healing effect – both for your body and for your soul.

Don’t stop at these

If you’re looking for ways to heal the planet, these tips are a great place to start. But they’re not the only things you can do. To contribute in a bigger way, you can make other lifestyle changes as well. Try to lead a zero-waste lifestyle, talk to your friends and family about the importance of eco-consciousness, reuse and repair what you already have, and make sure that all your future purchases are natural and sustainable.

In the end, one person can’t do all the work that’s needed to save the planet. But if everyone makes a small contribution, we can go a long way, and without feeling like we’re missing out.

Author Bio:

Sarah Kaminski is a life enjoyer, positivity seeker, and a curiosity enthusiast. She’s been a freelance writer for over a decade and loves researching health and wellness topics.

This article was submitted exclusively to CrystalWind.ca by Sarah Kaminski

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