Sustainability and health: allies to improve well-being
Sustainability and health are key allies. Find out how sustainable practices improve your daily well-being.
How does sustainability influence health?
Sustainability means maintaining a balance between natural resources, the environment and people's needs in the medium and long term. For this reason, sustainability is crucial for our health, as it has an effect on:
- Quality of the air we breathe. Environmental pollution has a direct impact on people's respiratory health.
- Quality of the water we consume. Consumption of contaminated water is associated with gastrointestinal diseases and infections.
- Food security and nutritional quality of food. Pesticides and fertilizers can contaminate food and soil. In addition, deforestation and biodiversity loss can affect the nutritional properties of food.
- Mental health. A natural, clean and healthy environment has a positive effect on people's mental health and well-being. Contact with nature reduces stress, anxiety and depression.
Benefits of living a sustainable lifestyle for health
A sustainable lifestyle seeks to reduce environmental impact and preserve natural resources for future generations. It is also a healthier and more conscious way of life that affords us the possibility to live in harmony with our environment.
- It encourages us to be more active, exercise, and eat healthy foods.
- It improves our emotional well-being because it connects us with nature and that helps generate happiness hormones, such as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin.
- It benefits the family economy because it involves a change in consumption habits, such as consciously buying only what is needed and controlling the consumption of energy and natural resources.
10 Sustainable Habits That Improve Health
- Reuse
- Recycle.
- Responsible consumption of natural resources and energy: turn off the tap, turn off the light and use LED bulbs, etc.
- Reduce plastic consumption.
- Consume seasonal and local fruits and vegetables because they have a lower carbon footprint. And adjust portions to avoid food waste.
- Sustainable travel: on foot, by bicycle, scooter, by public transport or carsharing
- Sustainable design. Commitment to eco-design and the production of items with recycled material.
- Caring for animals.
- Participate in environmental cleanup activities.
- Environmental education. Share with your family and friends the importance of sustainability.
The role of sustainable food in health
The quality and quantity of food consumed are two of the main factors that determine our state of health. A sustainable diet protects and respects biodiversity and ecosystems, is accessible, fair and affordable.
To do this, it is important to update our eating habits when choosing our food, to reduce food waste and contamination and also the excessive consumption of proteins, processed meats, saturated fats, sugars and refined grains, and eat more fruit, vegetables, cereals and unsaturated fatty acids.
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