Environmental Wellness
Of the 8 dimensions of wellness one of them is environmental; the other being physical, social, financial, career, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.
Everyone in some way is doing their bit for the cause of climate change. The Ministry of Environment and Forests of India has introduced a toolkit, which guides on how low carbon emission lifestyle initiatives can improve the world around us. For example, it says that if we do yoga instead of running on the treadmill and take the stairs in place of elevators, we can help to bring about a lot of change by saving electricity that requires natural resources to be produced and in the process generates air pollutants and heat as well leading to poor air quality and global warming.
The emphasis now is that lifestyles should be such that they are not only healthy but also eco-friendly.
Following are some of the ways, environmental wellness can be achieved:
Cycling to work or Carpooling:
One could cycle to work and save not only on the limited natural resources but also contribute to improving your health as well as air quality. Else one could carpool or share a cab and contribute to an incremental improvement in air quality. By this you would be saving the resources for our future generations as well handing them over a good earth.
Kid’s outdoor activities:
If kids were to play outdoors rather than playing indoor games and watching TV, not only would it be good for their growth and health, it would also mean a saving of Rs. 159 to 643 per year along with reduction in annual CO2 emissions in the range of 22-89 kg.
Taking the stairs:
Taking the stairs instead of elevator could save up to Rs. 13,317 annually in addition to 1221 kg of CO2 emissions. Stair walking also has tremendous health benefits.
Yoga at home or outdoors:
The benefits of yoga are now well known. It is not only good for mind and body, it also is a great resource to improve fitness levels and stamina. If you were to do yoga rather than walk/run on the treadmill you could contribute to saving around Rs. 3238 per year and not to forget a reduction of 46 kg of CO2 emission. And yoga is more beneficial if done outdoors, rather than doing it within in closed rooms under artificial lights.
Eating together:
Eating together also saves electricity as the food needs to be heated once as also in using lights and fans. If LPG gas is used to heat food multiple times, it is a unnecessary waste of limited natural resources. Eating together also helps in bonding the family. Saving on electricity bills could be around Rs. 217 and CO2 emissions reduce by 30 kg.
Recycling paper:
Recycling paper instead of throwing in the garbage and passing on the books to juniors could also lead to reduction of around 14,000 kg of CO2 emissions.
These few steps could make the earth greener, fresher and healthier thus impacting our own health and also of our future generations. It makes every sense to follow these simple steps if you care for your own health and of your grandchildren.
