Taking care of oneself is a basic need. When we talk about self-care, we often think of things that are bad for us, hálló fogginess we want to avoid and things that feel good, like the warm bath awaiting my return from travel. Whether you know it or not, your skin holds a special place in all this handcrafted artifice and daily magic you deserve to understand why.
Peaceful, sustainable self-care holds the answer to helping us live in balance—first with our personal lives and then with the natural world. And it starts with being mindful of your everyday habits.
Is your self-care ecologically friendly? Consider the peace you might feel if you coupled this space with organic, whole foods. This is next-level nourishment for both body and mind. Besides boosting physical health, serving only ramps up our mental health game since “what we put in is what we get.” But considering the “what” (the kinds of things allowed into our lives) and the “where” (from which these things come) can lead to a healthier planet as well.—Robin Martinez
For a healthier lifestyle, switch to using organic and natural personal-care products. These are not only free of harmful synthetic chemicals but also many times closer to the natural environment from which they originate, whether wetlands, forests, or deserts. In fact, skin care that uses essential oils and plant extracts in their formulation has improved my skin’s health while also minimizing my personal ecological footprint. And at no extra cost!
Reducing wastewater from personal hygiene by using natural, soap-free shampoos and conditioners is another great way to fight water waste. Some manufacturers have even begun making “shampoo sticks,” which are essentially bars of shampoo hardened into a stick shape that can be applied directly to the scalp in what amounts to about 3 percent of regular-sized bottles. Because these elements dissolve rather than being absorbed like plastics by landfills, they don’t generate the same kind of whose-turn-is-it-to-go-next problem as those landfilled bottles might.
Opting for products in cardboard tubes instead of plastic applies precisely the same sort of sustainable, waste-reducing logic: Particularly when combined with not overusing these tubular products to their maximum capacities or throwing them away whole after one use (which I think is how most people are now using them), this system heralds an era when less often means better.
Sustainable global development can only be achieved if it is in harmony with all other developmental priorities; above all, it must accord with the basic rights and needs of people. When we measure the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources, we have to look at quite a few variables. Society as a whole has an interest in seeing that these are managed in an optimal way; that they operate within safe limits so society gets the necessary services enough water to go around, enough clean air to breathe, sufficient surface area for solar panels for as long as society exists.
Moving to low-energy beauty routines can significantly cut down on environmental impact. And I’m not talking about some bizarre, high-tech gadgets that consume even more energy in the production of their alternate realities. Instead, it’s really very simple: If you want to save energy and resources (not to mention your carbon emissions), use less water and fewer products, get more sleep, drink plenty of water, don’t overexert yourself seamlessly (yes, that is a word), take only the occasional warm shower (62°F/16.7°C or thereabouts is optimal), and exfoliate with a homemade lumpy sugar scrub when you need to after using an automatic body brush that provides enough moisture for my ridiculously dry skin to function without breaking out in immediate eczema.
Following the same line of thought, cold showers have several benefits. They increase circulation. That is a fact. And they give you a nice glow, thanks to all the closed-down pores that might just make you look like you’ve recently returned from a winter adventure and are hence healthy and able to endure any kind of weather. Cold showers also tighten your skin, which, in my experience, is particularly noticeable if you have some kind of skin condition or am. At least that was my experience when I started washing my face with cold water (as opposed to lukewarm or hot water). The scientific basis for this often finds its root in improved circulation because cold water constricts blood vessels by contracting the tiny muscles in the vessel walls; as those vessels return to normal function after an episode of being constricted and receive another round of ‘beats’ they reopen and replenish the area just below them with oxygenated blood.
Normally, plant-based diets require fewer resources to produce. However, my diet requires even fewer resources than those plans because I try to incorporate more foods considered to be even more sustainable like hummus and almond butter (which are surprisingly full of energy) and fresh fruits. Venture beyond common snacking options like these, and you’ll find plenty of other whole plant foods that are easy to consume on the go. At this point, it’s hard to argue that your local cafe or restaurant can’t accommodate your desire for a whole food, plant-based meal; indeed, many establishments highlight such options on their menus now. And yes I’m being Bachelor a carbon footprint study published in the journal Science found that animal agriculture noisily balloons the emission of greenhouse gases (in this case, methane and N2O).
It is very important to reduce food waste in order not only to live healthily but also to be environmentally friendly. One never knows when a food bank might come in handy. Unfortunately, this country of plenty sends nearly 31 percent of its food supply to the dump every year. Food sent to landfills carries on an environmental life that ranges from 90 days at best (in enclosed places with no decomposition inhibitors) to several years (if it gets wet). Proper storage can double or even triple this time frame for reductions and additions that occur during a meal, making sense since refrigerators are our primary tools for extending their useful life beyond what would otherwise be the case.
How we shop, plan, and organize our meals virtually guarantees that there will be much less food going into landfills.
One of the easiest ways to be more sustainable is to use parts of food that are usually discarded, a broccoli stem in a soup, carrot tops for pesto. This simple step allows me (and those I serve) to experience an array of new flavors and textures while adhering to aspects of waste reduction. When I do cook from scratch, my way seems more meaningful because I can tell the story connected to every bite.
In all areas of life, we can give some thought to how we might live more sustainably and reduce our impact on the environment. For me, that starts with my “self” – by taking care of my physical, mental, and emotional well-being in ways that are also good for the planet.
I’ve mentioned earlier that one way I do this is by using eco-friendly beauty products. I love saying no to product testing. That’s not all I say yes to either; here are a few things that are yes-worthy when it comes to sustainable self-care practices:
Using energy-efficient light bulbs
I do not stock up on incandescent light bulbs. My tubes aren’t sexily compacted within an energized Diehard box (that’s an R-rated joke). Yet! They’re incoming; LED towers over incandescents in the soonish future.
There goes my skyrocketing carbon footprint!
Also, Environmental Lying: Changes We Can Make and Why We Should. Because following a set of sustainable self-care practices isn’t just about keeping faucets turned off while waiting for car rides, even though doing so sounds like something a semi-public figure should be endorsing.