The benefits of going green go beyond preserving the environment. Going green can also preserve and improve your health. Discover how and tips for going green.
The “Green Economy” is the term for a system that reduces environmental risks and helps prevent ecological scarcities while contributing to economic interests.
This buzzword gets thrown around a lot in today’s media as pundits discuss new economic policies that will affect the environment.
While some of these people think there is little money to be made in transforming existing structures into eco-friendly ones, the benefits of going green go way beyond financial.
Read on to learn all the ways going green can improve your life.
Your Furniture Will Last Longer
While you may be tempted to spring for the cheapest furniture you can find that will meet your needs, most inexpensive furniture is low-quality and full of synthetic fabrics.
These toxic substances will eventually end up in a landfill when you have to replace your upholstered couch after five to 10 years.
But if you choose a high-quality leather couch instead — and take good care of it — it will last you a lifetime.
If you’re on a budget, consider buying used furniture that’s made well instead of new synthetic furniture that will eventually fall apart.
Painting Won’t be as Much of a Pain
If you think back to just a few years ago, after painting a room you had to sleep down the hall to avoid the smell of the fumes. The overwhelming smell comes from VOCs (volatile organic compounds). As the paint dried, the VOCs got into the air.
Today, many paint makers tout their low VOC content as a badge of honor. The days of overwhelming paint fumes are mostly behind us thanks to the eco-revolution.
Natural Light Brings Better Health
One eco-friendly trend in home and office design right now is large walls of windows that let in copious amounts of natural light. This design allows you to reduce your power bill for heating and lighting since it creates a greenhouse effect.
Natural light isn’t only better for your eyes and heating purposes. It also can affect your mood. While artificial lighting can create cozy warm spaces, hanging out in a dark room all winter can lead to depression.
Your Air Will be Cleaner
Industrial companies use baghouses – pollution control devices that can remove the particulates from combustion to clean the air as it leaves their factory. If you’re unaware of how this works, you can find more info here.
But you don’t have to be industrial to benefit from the power of a good air filter. For a greener take on the process, consider filling your home with refreshing plants that can filter the air as they respirate.
Indoor trees can remove harmful toxins from the air and increase the amount of oxygen in your home. This is particularly nice in the winter time when your windows are closed up tight.
Believe in the Benefits of Biophilic Features
Biophilic features are purposeful choices to bring nature into a building. Some examples are filling a room with plants, having greenery on the walls, and increasing the amount of natural daylight that gets in.
Even exposed woods are considered biophilic features and are one of the hottest trends in home design. With so many people spending the majority of their time indoors, it’s important to add touches of nature around your home or business.
Psychologists believe that integrating these elements into a design can reduce stress and improve productivity and creativity.
You Will Get in Better Shape
Green buildings don’t just focus on the environment’s health. They often play a major role in shaping your health as well. Green buildings are laid out to increase physical activity and give you more opportunities to exercise.
If you want to take your routine a step further, consider riding your bike to work and showering in your company’s locker room before you head into the office. Not only will your legs look phenomenal, but you’ll also be helping the environment.
Going Green Forces You to Get Creative
When you recycle things in your home or office, you don’t have to put them straight in the bin. Instead, you can use them for projects and arts and crafts.
People have even made sculptures out of old tin cans and bicycle wheels. The only limit is your imagination!
You Meet New People
One of the best ways to go green is to stop using your car to drive to work every day and take advantage of one of the public transportation options your city offers. While these rides might be slightly more time consuming, you’re cutting your carbon footprint and have the added benefit of meeting new people.
Not only can you meet people on public transportation, but the green community is rather large itself. Once you start to make greener choices, you’ll begin to notice all the people making green choices around you. Strike up a conversation with them and ask them about their choice.
You could make a new friend and learn something at the same time.
You Contribute to Your Local Economy
When you eat green, you typically choose organic, local or seasonal products from your area. This is a great way to cut down on the number of pesticides that enter your body and the number of antibiotics that make it into your meat.
But there are other benefits to sustainable eating as well. Your dollars will be going to support members of your local community. When you eat green, you’re voting with your paycheck for continued eco-friendly options and helping your neighbors keep their doors open.
Discovering the Benefits of Going Green
The benefits of going green are plentiful. It’s a long-term way to put more money in your pocket, improve your health, and contribute to the health of the planet.
Your green choices will cause a ripple effect allowing you to meet new people who share your passion and support members of your local community.
For more lifestyle tips, check out my blog today.
