When terms like "go green" and "green living" came into vogue my initial reaction was to balk at the idea. I dislike most trends, especially trends that are being mass media-marketed at every street corner and on every TV and radio station. But in my mild rebellion against giving into trend, I was actually being kind of an idiot. One day, in the midst of cleaning my house, I realized I'd been practicing green living for fifteen years prior to media and environmentalists bringing the concept to the forefront of the people's conscience.
Flashback to the early 90s, when as a previously healthy young adult, I'd begun to suffer from repeated respiratory illnesses. You name it, I got it: colds, bronchitis, repeated sinus infections and respiratory flu. Even on good days, I was sneezing, my head felt like a giant balloon and normal activities were wearing me out. I was young, active and physically fit with no explanation for the sudden and constant bouts of illness. A trip to the doctor, then a referral to an allergist revealed that I had developed asthma and allergies. When I asked the doctor how this happened; how a perfectly normal person who never suffered from these conditions before suddenly develops them, her reply astounded me:
"Nowadays, people are exposed to more allergens and toxins in the air and in their home environments than ever before. The rate at which nornally healthy people are developing allergies and asthma all of a sudden is growing rather quickly. Studies have been done and there's still more to learn but it's hard to refute the connection between exposure to chemical toxins and the development of respiratory illness and conditions."
Armed with information and suggestions from a doctor who clearly was a proponent of green living, I slowly began to change the way I lived. Over the years, I've enjoyed learning hundreds of green living tips that are unique, fun, money-saving and, most of all, reduce chemical exposure. The biggest proof that green living has worked for me is the fact that I no longer regularly use medicine for my asthma...maybe once or twice a year...and I can control allergy symtpoms with over-the-counter medicine, as needed. I am rarely sick and can participate in physical activities without paying for it the rest of the day.
Whatever your considerations, here are a few to ponder regarding the benefits of green living:
- Green living saves money on cleaning products, insect repellents, skin, hair and body care, and pet care to name just a few.
- Involving the family, including the kids, in green living can translate to family bonding time and time spent on enjoyable and beneficial family activities. Children enjoy a great sense of pride and accomplishment when they do things to help others and themselves. Green living is a great way to teach responsibility, care and respect and enjoy family time without having to spend loads of (if any) money on family activities.
- Positively impact your health. According to a study done by the Journal of the American Medical Association, green living reduces your risk of lung cancer. The health benefits of green living are numerous.
- Contribute toward a better environment in your home, backyard, community, country and world by reducing the carbon footprint you leave behind.
- If you want to give back but don't feel you have the time, money or means to do so, practicing one or two green living tips regularly provides a ripple effect that gives back more than you realize.
Like right one the money, why pollute our environment as if we can just simply pack up
ReplyDeleteand move to another planet. That is what big
corporations act like, not thinking of the future. A little change and adjustment will go a long way, if everybody contributes, we can make a big difference in our environment.Everyone should be careful on what they eat, where the eat and even when the eat. Our body and mind need to be detoxified every so often. It is the temple our spirits live in and many of us, seem to forget we have a major influence on the outcome of our own health. It is only because of the lack of knowledge and taking forgranted our temple and how we mind or minds. Simple easy but true we are the keepers of the gates to our own future well being. Great Article!