“Healthy habits are learned in the same way as unhealthy ones – through practice.”
– Wayne Dyer.
Winter is finally here, and with it comes the holidays, full of flashy things, traditional meals with family and friends, and this year, the still-present global pandemic. It could be extremely easy for us to fall into unhealthy and unsustainable practices that will end up burdening the planet. Rather, we must focus our attention on the problems surrounding us and our planet to create a healthy and sustainable holiday for all. Let’s look at some ways we can enjoy the holidays without damaging our eco-system and our health.
What would Christmas be without meals? The truth is that despite how joyful it is to share these experiences with our family and friends, during these graceful times, we trash and employ contaminant agents twice as much as we would typically do on a different day. Thankfully, there are sustainable alternatives that will allow you to readjust your Christmas habits. One is to avoid single-use bottles and disposable dishes, and silverware by using reusable dishes. Now, in the case that you cannot wash the dishes, use paper goods instead of plastics or foams.
Another point to take into consideration is COVID-19. As much as it is traditional for some people to gather in large crowds to celebrate, it is essential to remember that you would be exposing yourself and close ones to harm. By no means am I suggesting you should not go out, but if you do so, do it with your “bubble” masked and respecting the safety guidelines.
Second, let’s consider your physical and mental health. This year, most of us have been living a more sedentary life where leaving the confines of our home has been restricted. Considering that, we generally tend to eat and have a more sedentary lifestyle. Exercising could be even more critical during these holidays. It is vital to move our body purposefully since intention affects how well we receive its benefits. A side note is that exercising helps your body, improves your mood, your sleep, and is critical when balancing your mental health.
Now, it would be safe to wonder how someone can exercise and respect social distancing. Well, the good news, you can get your daily dose of exercise without leaving the comforts of your home and without heavy equipment. First, keep in mind that one can see the benefits even with five-ten minutes of physical activity, so you do not have to run a marathon or bike The Tour de France to reap the benefits. It is also imperative that you begin slowly because it is not safe or healthy to change from a total couch potato to a fitness icon. Additionally, if you own a smartphone, you can have a personal virtual trainer anytime you need, for free. A personal trainer will help you incorporate a variety of exercises for a sustainable and effective routine. These apps precisely help you know which exercises are suitable for a different part of your body, and it calculates how much you should do and for how long. In that way, someone who has never exercised before could make the transition into a more active lifestyle easy. These few minutes of activity is known to sharpen your memory, make you feel more energetic, reduce ADHD symptoms, and build your resilience.
Please consider the elements of this publication so you may improve your impact on the environment and develop a lifestyle that will be sustainable for you. As contradictive as it may seem, moving will give you extra energy for other aspects of your life, which will help you be a better, happier you. On behalf of the Sustainable Age Student Journal, I wish you happy holidays and a wonderful new year.
Sources
Fleischer, C. (2020, December 07). Green Christmas: Tips for keeping it a sustainable and safe holiday during COVID. Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/causes/2020/12/07/tips-keeping-sustainable-and-safe-holiday-during-covid/3828854001/
Robinson, L. (2020, October). The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise. Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm