People often ask what is the benefit to them of being sustainable? The answer is that there are many profound benefits, although they don’t seem to be obvious. There seems to be an attitude that being sustainable is just another burden in an over-burdened life. However, sustainability is not a burden; on the contrary, it is a way to reduce the burden of an over-consumption lifestyle and lift your spirits through improved health, reduced stress, increased security and a better work/life balance.
The following is a list of beneficial behaviours that will improve your well-being whilst reducing the harm you do to nature:
Through social consumption you can share your resource use with others and therefore reduce your average footprint. The benefits of socialising and maintaining positive relationships are enormous – including lengthening your life.
Using mental energy in socialising, personal development, education, creative activities and hobbies uses very little, if any, fossil fuel energy, but can provide enormous well-being. As John Ruskin said: “the best things in life are not things.”
Helping each other be more self-sufficient with mutual aid builds social relationships, cohesion and trust. It is better all around when we share anything, but especially when we share our time and knowledge. Read about mutual self-sufficiency »
There are many benefits of getting a good sleep for well-being, whereas sleep deprivation can put your health and safety at risk, which is why it is important that you prioritise good sleep on a daily basis. Sleep also happens to be also the lowest energy activity that we can do!
Getting out into nature – or just into the fresh air and sunlight (read about the LAW of good health) – can improve your mood without consuming any goods or services.
Walking or riding a bike aids our fitness and physical health whilst reducing carbon footprint and our climate change impact. Read about sustainable transport »
Simple living is the most potent way to reduce your footprint. Some might think this is about austerity, but this simply isn’t the case. Simple living isn’t about having too little, it is about not having too much (read about Just Right: the Goldilocks Principle). Whilst you are decreasing ecological footprint you can increase your discretionary time and get a better work-life balance. Read more about simple living »
Win-win for people and planet
Shopping less, and buying second-hand when you do shop, will save you money, and also by saving a lot of resources, you will reduce your ecological footprint.
Often cultural activities are social too and they support the well-being of artists, performers and other creative people. Like social activities, cultural activities can have low carbon footprints, especially if you can walk, take public transport or share a ride with others, to get to them. Read more about cultural consumption »
Being more self-sufficient reduces your footprint and gives you more autonomy and peace of mind. Self-sufficiency is not an all or nothing thing. Any DIY will save money, reduce your net footprint, and provide self-esteem and confidence. Read more about self-sufficiency »
Likewise, volunteering and community involvement benefit the people you are helping, as well as benefitting yourself. It is proven that generally people get satisfaction from giving, it is a powerful way to connect with and support others and to get satisfaction from doing so.