Did you know that the conventional beauty and wellbeing industries have a significant environmental impact? From countless plastic bottles, processed products, and chemical “tonics,” these industries wreak havoc on the earth and aren’t always as good for our bodies as we are led to believe.
The good news is that self-care doesn’t have to sabotage Mother Earth. With sustainable beauty, stress-relief, and wellbeing practices, you can nurture yourself and the planet.
7 Ways to Make Your Self-Care More Sustainable
Let’s breathe new life into our self-care routines by focusing on sustainability – even small changes can have big impacts on our wellbeing and the environment.
1. Cook for Yourself
Cooking meals at home is a delicious way to take care of both yourself and the Earth. When you cook for yourself, you’re likely to use less processed foods, which means fewer preservatives and additives in your diet. Plus, homemade meals reduce the need for single-use packaging, cutting down on waste. Shopping for local and organic ingredients can further decrease your carbon footprint and local farmers.
Cooking at home is an essential way to put your health first. When you cook at home, you have complete control over the quality and diversity of the foods you eat. You can even include health-promoting Chinese herbal medicine through our soup and broth kits. Not to mention, washing, chopping, and preparing your recipes isn’t a chore! With a shift in mindset, it becomes a relaxing meditative practice to relieve stress.
2. Switch from Coffee to Herbal Teas
If you love your morning coffee or afternoon pick-me-up latte, consider this: herbal teas not only provide a diverse palette of refreshing flavors and health benefits but also boast a lower environmental impact than coffee. Cultivating herbs typically requires less water and energy compared to coffee plants. Skipping the coffee shop also saves on single-use cup waste (and saves money in your pocket).
3. Embrace Eco-Friendly Personal Care Products
Opting for natural personal care products such as shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes, and aluminum-free deodorants helps reduce plastic waste and chemical runoff into our water systems. These products are not only better for the Earth but also keep potential toxins away from your skin and body as they are made with more gentle, natural ingredients.
4. Experiment with Minimalism
Incorporating minimalist principles into your self-care routine can profoundly affect your mental and environmental health. Simplifying your routine to include multifunctional products and reducing clutter not only clears your space but also your mind.
Did you know Chinese medicine can be considered a “minimalist” healing system? Whereas other systems may recommend dozens of different medicines or remedies to combat each symptom separately, Chinese herbalism takes a different approach. Here, we focus on identifying the underlying root disharmony contributing to all your symptoms, then restoring balance with one guiding formula.
5. Immerse Yourself in Nature
Whether it’s a peaceful walk in the park, a hike, or gardening, connecting with nature is a key aspect of eco-friendly self-care. These activities do not require power or resources other than your own energy, making them perfect for reducing your carbon footprint while boosting your mood and physical health.
6. Go Eco with Your Exercise
Opt for outdoor exercises like running, cycling, or yoga in the park instead of hitting the gym. This not only saves on energy used by gym equipment and air conditioning but also increases your vitamin D intake and connection to your environment. For indoor days, consider creating a low-impact home gym using everyday items.
7. Do a Digital Detox
Reducing screen time is a powerful way to decrease your energy use and your stress levels. By substituting screen time with reading, crafting, or spending time in nature, you engage in activities that benefit your mental health and reduce your eco footprint. Not sure how you would fill your screen-free time? Check out these ideas!
Healthy Bodies, Happy Earth&
Taking good care of yourself is the key to truly living well. And it’s even more powerful when your self-care strategies also align with taking care of our planet.
At Root + Spring, we’ve curated a collection of earth-friendly, herb-based wellness products and packaging whenever possible to help you feel good about your self-care routines. Shop now to discover your new self-care strategy!
