5 Simple Green Upgrades That Will Make You Happier

It's no small secret that a little greenery can improve your mood. An eco-friendly life style can be good for both the body and the mind in a variety of ways. Whether you're looking for peace of mind or just want to feel happier about yourself, a few easy green upgrades are exactly what you need.

This is a guest post by Tim Sparke, an active advocate of organic farming and sustainability. We hope that you find it enjoyable and informative.

Ditch The Car

The modern car is useful for many things but there are plenty of times when you simply don't need to drive. If you're within walking distance, why not simply take a walk? This in itself is a simple green act, by avoiding emission heavy vehicles, but there are plenty of benefits.

Walking is good exercise and it lets you feel good about yourself. It's also a good way to relax and think about things, as well as explore parts of your home and see it up close. Need to go a little further? Why not take a bicycle rather than a car? I've found bicycles are much better for my health, easy to look after, and lets me explore the local area.

Adding Greenery

You don't need to live in the countryside to enjoy nature. In fact, you don't even need a garden. You can easily introduce the various benefits the natural world has to offer with a few plants. As long as you have a window or a flower hanger, you can readily keep plants watered and healthy.

Plants have long been proven to have a positive effect, whether it's their bright colors, pleasing fragrances or their ability to liven up your living space. This can add a strong, yet subtle, improvement to your state of mind, all thanks to a few simple flowers and plants.

Local Produce

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, nothing beats locally grown crops. By buying from local markets, you support the local community and ensure your veggies haven't been flown in from another state or country. From personal experience, I know this can be a small change with some big benefits, so try and find your nearest market.

Of course, if you want to be truly local, why not grow something yourself? This takes time but it is very rewarding. Not least of all, you end up with free food that you know is free of pesticides and other dangerous chemicals!

Making The Most Of Nature's Resources

Being green is all about making the most of what nature has to offer, rather than man-made alternatives. There are many ways to do this in your home, such as solar power, but there are also a few cheap and easy ways too.

Harvesting rainwater, through various containers and drain pipe systems can be valuable for a variety of uses. This can be as simple as watering plants or using it to flush the toilet. This isn't just eco-friendly but, by using free water, you can drastically cut down on your water bill, too.

Recycling and Freecycling

Everyone knows the basics of recycling and most people already keep a bin or two for biodegradable matter, metal tins, glass bottles and the like. Yet have you considered what to do with the stuff you can't recycle conventionally? This often involves larger items such as televisions and furniture.

As a greener alternative, “freecycling” refers to giving such items away for free. Sure, you could sell them for money, but this way you're ensuring your discarded items are used again, rather than filling up a rubbish tip or landfill. Similarly, you can find fellow freecyclers and get items yourself. These will be cheaper, more environmentally friendly and allow you to feel better as a result.

These are just a few simple ideas, but it should demonstrate just how powerful a few simple changes can be. What else would you do to improve your lifestyle to feel greener? How much time and effort are you willing to invest in a greener lifestyle? Let us know and share your thoughts.

Image Credit: Flickr Creative Commons

About the Author:

Tim Sparke is the CEO at 4 Pumps and for several years, he has been an active advocate of organic farming and sustainability. He also has a passion for writing and he writes the blog at 4 Pumps.

At Beyond Vitality, we are here to educate, guide, motivate and inspire you into a new and exciting journey to vibrant health. Our programs focus on small and gradual changes towards long-term and sustainable health. See our range of consultations and programs.