“Environment friendly”, “Eco-friendly” and “Go green”… these words are so commonly used in today’s world. Do you know what does it mean by being “Eco-friendly”? In simple words, it means practices that conserve the natural resources of Mother Earth. This word has been the most frequently used jingle and buzzes in almost all news channels, discussion forums, and conferences and so on. Why is this so important? It is a matter of concern because the way our natural resources are decaying day by day… it is becoming a potential threat to our health, life and habitat as a whole.

What is eco-friendly lifestyle?

Using of products that do not pose harm to the environment, taking care of our natural resources, etc. These aspects epitomize an eco-friendly lifestyle. If I will ask how many of you use plastic bags, plastic products (jars, toys, sheets, covers etc.), canned food, synthetic products and chemicals, heavy metals, etc.? Many of you reading this blog will answer it with a “yes”. Sometimes we are aware but not careful enough to stay away from such products and sometimes these dangerous substances influence our health and mind unknowingly thought the air, food and so on.

Living life mindfully and in a way that does not pose a threat to the environment you live in encompasses an eco-friendly lifestyle.

How do environmental pollutants influence our mental health?

Non-biodegradable substances or substances that cannot be recycled or decomposed through the natural processes are the main culprits that harm your mental health. The sight of their filth, the harmful gases that are released in the environment, the foul smell, the chemicals that you eat… all these release harmful chemicals in your brain leading to:

  • Psychosomatic illnesses
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Neuro-chemical imbalance in the brain
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Palpitations, tremors
  • Developmental delays, neurological disorders in children
  • + many other severe mental health disorders

Some worst environmental tragedies in the world:

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, 1984 in India; 1948 Donora Fog, US; the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Alaska, 1989; the Pacific Gyre Garbage Patch… all these are some striking examples of the disasters that man has made in the environment. These disasters and many others have done irreparable damage to life and property. Millions of lives have been lost, have been negatively influenced, and have been under threat even today. Not only human, but also innocent animal kingdom has also fallen prey to it.

Next time you pop in a canned food in your tummy or use a vehicle, when you leave lights turned on or when you tend to forget closing a running tap… just remember that you are building up a platform of severe mental health crisis for yourself, for your loved ones and everyone around you.

How to save your mental health by being eco-friendly

With the help of simple yet mindful ways you can live an eco-friendly lifestyle and save your brain and body from getting ill:

  • Use eco-friendly products that are organic, biodegradable and are non-toxic. Ensure that you are using them on a daily basis
  • Turn off lights, close running taps etc. when not in use
  • Turn off all electric appliances when not in use. This will keep you safe form the hazards of the electro magnetic field (EMF) and the eco-threat as well
  • If you need to go somewhere that is close by then please try to walk to that place instead of using your vehicle every time. Studies show that the CFCs emitted by vehicles are the most dangerous threat to the environment, body and brain.
  • If possible you can car-pool with others while going to the office or dropping and picking up your children from school on a regular basis.
  • Try to decrease your meat consumption. The more you eat green veggies, the more you will promote space for the habitat of other species, the more you will stay healthy and fit
  • Use paper bags instead of plastic bags
  • Have two dustbins at your home: One for the ones that can easily degrade and the other that is non-biodegradable. When you will need to throw them, try to dispose them separately. This will help the corporations to recycle the necessary stuff and dump the rest of the stuff easily.
  • Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) rather than the incandescent bulbs. These are more eco-friendly, emit no harmful radiation and are more cost-effective

With simple and smart living you can live life the eco-friendly way, and you can also protect your mental health from getting destroyed. Your sincere effort can beautify your life, save the life of others and make the world a beautiful n healthy place to live in!

Best wishes,

Sareeta