“Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature.” 

A quote from Albert Einstein made me realize that both self-love and Earth care are intrinsically connected.

In what way, you may wonder?

Come to think of it…When you commit to self-love, it has a positive impact on those around us. In addition, when you start taking care of yourself holistically, there is a relevant contribution to the environment as well.

Read along if you want to know more about how you can practice self-love and earth care in several, sustainable ways.

The Connection Between Self-Love and Earth Care

It’s a no-brainer that taking better care of ourselves allows us to take better care of other things. Both self-love and Earth care are important concepts in our world today and they arise from a sense of personal and societal responsibility.

We can actually show up for others in a more caring, intentional, and effective way when we start with ourselves. Yes, this includes the Earth too! You can create an impact on our planet when you integrate environmentally friendly steps into your self-care routine.

You can be a good steward of the earth and its natural resources if you learn to wholeheartedly love yourself. Cultivate a strong connection to the environment and adopt a more sustainable lifestyle in order to truly make a difference in the world!

Ways to Show Yourself the Love You Deserve

Self-love is such a buzzword these days, and it takes on different forms for different people.

Stress and anxiety can definately harm our physical health in the long run! It's vital to step away from your regular routine and take a moment for yourself.

Of course, each of us has our own way of loving ourselves. But if you're not sure where to begin with self love, here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

Start eating a well-balanced diet.

When you commit to eating a well-balanced diet, you are supporting both your physical and mental health as well as the health of the planet. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables lowers your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer while also lowering your carbon footprint. Choosing local and organic foods also helps farmers who grow their crops in environmentally friendly ways.

Get regular exercise outdoors

Exercising not only improves your health but also lowers your carbon footprint. How? Well, when you walk or bike instead of driving, you automatically reduce your car's emissions. 

Exercising outside also helps to reduce our reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning systems, which we frequently use when working out indoors. Finally, regular exercise can help you manage stress in a healthy way, lowering your overall environmental impact by reducing negative emotions like anger and frustration, which can lead to excessive consumption.

Getting a restful night's sleep

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every three adults doesn’t get enough sleep on a regular basis, which can lead to poor concentration, irritability, and even obesity.

A good night's sleep is important not only for our physical and mental health but also for the planet.

How? While we sleep, our bodies repair and restore themselves, resulting in improved health and productivity while conserving the Earth's resources.

 

Try journaling, meditation, or mindfulness 

Self-love is enhanced via journaling, meditation, and mindfulness. Reflecting on your thoughts and feelings in a reflective manner can help you achieve better self-awareness and enhance your capacity to deal with challenges in your life.

 

Take pleasure in the company of your loved ones

Self-love and happiness can also be fostered by spending time with others you care about. Spending time with loved ones has been found to improve mood and minimize negative emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, and sadness by making you feel more connected.

If you do decide to indulge in some self-love, make sure it's for something that truly makes you happy and feels wonderful.

Simply choose what brings you joy. We’re all unique individuals, so figure out what works best for you!

Ways to Show Our Planet Some Love

Mother Earth has had a rough time of things lately: her oceans are awash in single-use plastics, wildlife populations are plummeting at an unprecedented rate, and we have less than ten years to avoid irreversible climate change catastrophe.

That's a lot to take in right now, I understand. But that’s reality and it’s happening now!

My devotion to shifting my focus to this greater goal of loving our planet brings me satisfaction because it has a positive domino effect. Some of the worst effects of climate change may still be avoided!

After all, I believe the little things we do each day add up to something bigger for ourselves, our planet, and the next generation. 

There are numerous sustainable ways to practice earth care and here are a few easy steps to follow:

Reduce your consumption of single-use plastics

Did you know that only about 9% of plastics are actually recycled?  Most end up in the landfill or in our oceans.  The best way you can help is to reduce the amount of plastic that you consume.  

You can also avoid buying items in plastic packaging, bring your own eco-friendly bags, a reusable bottle, etc.  For more plastic free swap ideas, check out this blog post.

Recycle and compost

Recycling is important!  You can recycle the basics, like paper, plastic, and glass.  If you’re not lucky enough to already have separately colored bins for recycling, look into your local recycling program and find out if there are options that you can sign up for.   

Another method is to do composting! Rather than letting all those food scraps, napkins, and extra coffee grounds go to waste, start a compost center at home and use the materials as fertilizer to keep your yard looking lovely!

 

Support sustainable fashion brands

Supporting sustainable fashion brands can help effectively reduce the fashion industry's environmental risks. You can help sustainable fashion brands all over the world by either purchasing directly from them or spreading the word to your family and friends.

VALANI is a sustainable fashion brand that creates beautiful and colorful garments from environmentally friendly materials. VALANI's designs incorporate banana fabric, hemp, Tencel, and other environmentally friendly fabrics.

Grow your own food

Growing your own food is another simple but effective way to reduce your environmental footprint if you have the space. It's a brilliant idea because your food will come from a reputable source (you) and well…produce tastes better when it comes from your own garden.  Right?

Reduce your energy consumption

When you leave a room, turn off the lights, unplug electronic devices that aren't in use, and use energy-efficient equipment to save energy. You can also consider walking or bicycling instead of driving to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gasses.

Spend your time in nature

There have been numerous studies demonstrating the health advantages of spending time in nature. Aside from those, there are also tangible impacts to consider when it comes to climate change and our environment. 

For example, spending time outside can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing natural resources like sunlight, rainwater, and wind power. By making a conscious effort to spend time in nature, we can all play a role in reducing our impact on the earth and promoting a more sustainable future. 

This is why spending time in nature is an excellent method of practicing self-love and environmental stewardship. You'll not only feel better, but you'll also be contributing to the preservation of our shared home.

 

A Call to Action for Mother Earth

We must act immediately and make sustainable living a priority. It is up to each of us to do our part to minimize our carbon footprint. Whether big or small, each of our efforts adds up together to create real change.

We can help ensure that we, our communities, and the earth have a healthy and happy future by practicing the methods above. We are the only ones who can help the Earth heal so let us work together to show everyone how critical it is to protect the environment.

I hope you're inspired to practice self-love while also being environmentally conscious. Since that’s a win-win situation, I challenge you today to LOVE YOURSELF and LOVE YOUR PLANET.

Want to be a more eco-conscious consumer?  Start with your closet. 

Here at VALANI, we only use plant-based fabrics with non-toxic, low impact dyes. We even upcycle our fabric scraps and make cute scrunchies.  You can check out our products here.

 

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