So we know you’re short on time and often down on energy. But the good news is making healthier choices for you and for the environment doesn’t mean overhauling your life! A big part of choosing a better future is adding small stuff you can fit in daily – have a think about what some of them could be for you, because the payoff for you, your family, your relationships, wellbeing and the environment can actually be really big!
- Get into the garden
Growing your own fruit and veges might seem hard compared to a quick trip to the shops, but it means you know what’s gone into the growing process – and that means better nutrition for you, your flatties, the kids, whoever’s at your place. It’s great to know that you don’t need a big outdoor space – you can start growing produce in a little apartment in the city where there might only be a balcony or a few containers on the kitchen bench or window sill. Plus if you grow organic fruit and veg, you’re avoiding chemical sprays and fertilisers so you’re helping create healthier soil and waterways when there is runoff.
Gardening can also be give us a lift because by spending time outdoors in nature we can boost our mental clarity and memory and lower our stress levels. It also means we’re getting a bit of exercise into our day and getting that much needed vitamin C, which helps keep bones and teeth strong and might even help strengthen our immune system.
Plus the environment gets a boost: planting takes CO2 out of the atmosphere so makes our carbon footprint that much smaller.
- Add a compost
There’s nothing quite like putting those food scraps to use and getting some top notch fertiliser for your garden. A compost is really easy to set up inside or out, and you can chuck everything in there from produce scraps to coffee grounds, bread crusts and leaves shed by house plants. That equals less waste in our landfills.
- Boost your nutrition and cut food waste
By the time you’ve sliced and diced your fruit and veg for a salad or a stir fry, stuff like stalks, stems, peels and seeds are often left on the chopping board. But these be be the best for us. Try putting vege cuttings in a soup or stock and freezing for a rainy day. Saving leftovers is also a healthier choice and might just stop you ordering an unhealthy takeaway on an evening when you’d rather stay home than go out. Another option for cutting food waste is to plan ahead – try making a list of all the foods to cover at least weekday lunches and dinners.
- Try self-care
With busy schedules it’s often hard to take care of our own wellbeing, but making yourself a priority is really important. Otherwise we might be left feeling tired and unfocused and unable to switch off racing thoughts. Consider scheduling dedicated times for doing the things you really enjoy and spending time with those close to you. Part of self care is being present in each moment rather than multi-tasking, learning when to say no and to accept help when it’s needed. It could be as simple as calling a friend for a five minute chat, making time for a walk around the block during your work day, or planning a relaxing activity to look forward to.
- Exercise
By exercise, we don’t mean an intense class at the gym (of course, it’s fine if this is your thing), But small actions can be built into your daily routine for a bit of extra wellness. There’s often the chance for a walk where we might otherwise choose to hop in the car. If there’s a green space near you, visit it as often as possible. Take the stairs instead of the lift, or take a comfortable walk. And if you want to start an exercise routine, it doesn’t have to be too time consuming. Many workouts can take as little as five or 10 minutes and can make use of things around the home.
Tips for action:
- Be proactive about healthy living through diet and exercise
- Do your homework about where your food comes from so you know it’s healthier and ethically sourced, or think about growing your own
- Use technology like smartwatches to tell you more about your health and how you could improve it
- Make small changes to your daily routine to get a bit more exercise and boost your nutrition.
Further resources
Visit the ecostore blog for more inspiration and ideas:
Try these short fitness options
When our work routine gets busy, exercise and fitness are often pushed to the very back of our minds, with a million and one tasks taking over our lives. So how do we get on the right fitness track?
Fitting self care into a busy schedule
Self-care includes any means of looking after your physical, mental and emotional health. It’s the continual repetition of many little habits that help to provide balance in an increasingly over-stimulating world.
Running in nature for wellness
Taking time to get out in nature can be such a great thing for our wellbeing – it helps us manage the stress that inevitably comes with busy work and home lives, it means we’re prioritising time for ourselves, and it can be really restorative.
Five ways to cut food waste
There are lots of things food producers and businesses can do to reduce what gets wasted, but kiwi householders can also play a big part.
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Great article, a little bit at a time , big sweeping changes seldom last. With growing your own, a small plot or raised bed for a few veggies is always more rewarding, than a big rip and bust and have the wheels fall off, I know , I’ve been there.. so once again this has been a good encouraging keep up the good work.
Like they say , “If you don’t want people to know you have green fingers wear gloves.”
Great ideas thanks. I think in the “get in the garden” tip, you might mean getting vitamin D not vitamin C….
Thanks Alicia!
Awesome article.