Eco Wellness

Climate solutions are closer to home than we may think. Over 60 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from individual, household, and societal behavioral patterns. We have the power to change this and, in turn, reap the benefits for our physical and mental health.

The mind-body-planet connection

The symbiotic relationship between the Earth and humans has traditional roots. 

Nicole Redvers, DPhil, ND, MPH, associate professor and director of Indigenous Planetary Health at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University, says that one of the most unifying fronts among Indigenous Peoples is the tendency not to see divisions between the planet and ourselves. 

“That has strong implications for how we think about taking care of ourselves and the land,” says Redvers. “When we take care of ourselves, we take care of the land, and when we take care of the land, we take care of ourselves.”

Practical eco-wellness practices

Recent research reveals how transformative eco-wellness practices can be. 

One study out of the University of Wisconsin—Madison involved a two-month “Mindful Eco-Wellness” program. The course combined health and sustainability education with mindfulness practices. For instance, the “Air” class led participants in guided breath meditations while they learned about the benefits of clean air. 

The participants saw improvements in anxiety, depression, and fatigue levels, along with gains in physical health in a statistically significant way. Along the way, they also learned how to reduce their carbon footprint. 

The strong scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of spending time in nature for well-being—including decreased stress and cortisol and increased immune function—is behind this recent traction, explains Redvers. In Indigenous communities, you’ll hear people refer to it as land-based time or land-based healing, she says. 

According to Redvers, it’s also about being mindful of nature itself. 

“Oftentimes our Elders say the health of the environment is suffering because we’re not paying enough attention to the things around us, whether it’s the trees or the plants or the waters,” Redvers says. “Paying attention to what’s going on in nature spaces is just as important as spending time within them.”

Lifestyle integration

Eco wellness is something that can be seamlessly folded into our daily lives. 

For example, start your day by bringing a reusable mug with you for your hot drinks. Single-use cups often end up in the landfill for various reasons, including lack of recycling technologies. 

Green your commute to work: Take your bike, electric vehicle, or a public-transit or car-sharing service. Working from home some of the time can also reduce your carbon footprint. 

Plan meals to minimize food waste—and teach yourself new ways to utilize your food scraps.

At some point during your day, spend a moment with nature in your own backyard or nearby green space. 

Follow organizations such as Earth Day Network on Instagram (@earthdaynetwork) for more bite-sized changes you can make toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle! 

This article originally appeared on alive.com as “Eco Wellness.”