Five ways to prioritise sustainability in your life this year

For those of you who haven’t yet chosen your 2018 new year’s resolutions, prioritising sustainability just might be the lifestyle change you’ve been seeking. 2017 brought with it the shocking news of the United States’ plans to leave the Paris climate agreement. The decision caused an uproar and jumpstarted conversations about climate change all over the world. Though the climate agreement concerns the actions of entire countries, many people are using this disappointing shift as a catalyst for focusing on how they can make a change on their own. While we previously covered household-related tips for going green, another part of boosting sustainability in your life is improving the ways you take care of your mind and body. Read on for five tips on how to do just that.

Use eco-friendly beauty products

Cleansing and caring for your body shouldn’t come at the cost of dirtying the environment. Look out for products that are made of natural ingredients, such as waxes, clays, salts, and sugars. By leaving chemicals and synthetic ingredients behind, your skin and body care solutions will be as good for the planet as they are for you.

Form helpful habits with an app

An important way to prioritise mindful sustainability is to make environmental protection an integral part of your daily routine. Forming habits is difficult to do alone, but luckily there’s an app to help you. JouleBug turns green living into a game by allowing you to take on your friends via Facebook and Twitter in everyday challenges like shorter showers and avoiding wasteful take-out coffee cups. It’s free and even allows you to see how much your actions are lowering the cost of your energy bills. By merging your competitive and frugal impulses with a sustainable one, this app will train your mind in no time.

Make your clothing as green as it is fashionable

Paying attention to what your clothes are made of is just as crucial as buying sustainable beauty products. Peter Hahn is a Germany-based fashion company that prioritises making their clothing with natural materials, including Supima cotton, high-quality cashmere, and natural linen. They count sustainability as one of their highest priorities, and do their part with clothing initiatives such as their Green Cotton Collection. What’s not to love?

Stay informed about environmental news

Honing your mind for the good of the earth also includes keeping up to date with environmental happenings. One of the best ways to do this is to regularly read online eco-magazines, to learn about how the environment is implicated in everything from politics to food justice to the tech world. On top of that, reading an environmental blog will allow you to gather tips and insights into other ways to incorporate sustainability into your life. Together, these two types of outlets will give you a paperless way to stay up to date and improve your eco warrior skills.

Put your ideals where your mouth is

Caring for your body in a sustainable way means watching what you eat, but it also means making sure you eat everything you buy. Fortunately, there’s a web-based app called Food Rescue that allows you to type in the food you have left in your fridge and cupboard and immediately be served recipes for dishes you could make with it. Nourishing your body while combating food waste is a win-win situation, so start cooking.

The editorial unit