Chances are there have been more than a few moments this year when you’ve been inspired to revamp your wellness routine. The need to focus on our personal health and well-being has perhaps never been greater. In addition, it has become all too clear how connected we all are and how the health of the one impacts the health of the all. 

With that lesson in mind, it’s a great time to think about how we can not only take up new and better habits for our health, but how we can ensure those habits are as healthy for us as they are for the planet. If you, like us, want to cultivate a more eco-friendly wellness routine, start with one of these easy upgrades!

Take a moment to meditate every morning

Making the intentional, often inconvenient decision to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle isn’t easy, especially in a world that prioritizes comfort and convenience over care for the earth. In order to prevent our inner auto-pilot from making decisions that can damage the environment, we must work on staying present and in the moment. A daily meditation practice is the best way to cultivate that sense of presence. At the very least, when pressed for time, try spending some time journaling about the things you’re grateful for. Practicing gratitude - in addition to a number of other benefits - keeps us in a mindset of abundance. This can arm us against impulse purchases and shopping habits that may result in short-term satisfaction but that will leave a long-term impact on the environment. 

Support small, local farms

Another great way to care for the planet is by taking care of those who cultivate it with such care - in other words, by supporting farmers from small, local farms. This can look like everything, from buying small-batch and locally-grown wines, to shopping for groceries at your local farmer’s market. Your meals will taste so much sweeter knowing the food is fresh and grown in an environmentally responsible way.

Embrace a vegan diet, at least some of the time

The positive environmental impact of a vegan diet cannot be overstated. According to a recent study, avoiding meat and dairy could reduce your food-related carbon footprint by nearly three-quarters. Even if you cannot commit to a 100% vegan diet, simply focusing on a daily breakfast and lunch free of meat and dairy will still contribute in making a positive impact on the planet, as well as to your own health. Also, this means that you will have to take two less decisions in your daily routine, and will, therefore, have more brain power to devote to other tasks (hint: world leaders also swear by the same rule).

Start showering sans plastic

Green up your grooming routine and start swapping out products in favour of plastic-free alternatives for your go-to shower essentials. There are so many great, bottle-free options for shampoo, conditioner and shower gel these days! Our favourite brand is Viori, but other great brands are: Aspen Kay, Lush Cosmetics and Ethique. These are so easy to use, easy to travel with, AND they last way longer than many bottled products. Need a shave? Opt for a reusable razor over single-use plastic alternatives. We love the sleek and customisable Leaf Razor - unlike its plastic counterpart, when it gets a bit gunky, you can easily flip up the blades to quickly rinse everything out.

Try a more sustainable brand of athleisure

Eco-conscious athleisure isn’t just for tree-hugging yogis anymore. Knowing what we know today about the damaging impacts of cheap, fast fashion, it’s officially time to upgrade to sustainably-made and ethical workout gear. Shop our selections of sustainable and organic Soulwear.

BY BONNIE CULBERTSON, FREELANCE WRITER, SUSTAINABILITY & LUXURY TRAVEL