Do you suffer from stress and anxiety when it comes to trying to live sustainably?
You're not alone: a recent survey from the University of Bath found that of the 10,000 young people surveyed, 45% said climate anxiety is affecting their daily lives and ability to function.
Stress and Sustainability: What's the Link?
It can be difficult to stay positive and motivated when we know what's happening to the environment, and it's easy to feel both helpless and hopeless embarking on our eco-journeys. In fact, eco-anxiety and feelings of imperfection/inadequacy were the driving force behind me creating All Things Green, as I desperately searched for others who feel the same way.
With April being Stress Awareness Month, and after personally overcoming burnout earlier this year (which inevitably led to me taking a much-needed break from posting on Instagram), I've decided to prioritise self-care and share some tips on how to practice self-care sustainably as an eco-influencer.
Self-care is so important, especially for us eco-activists, and it's so easy to feel like we're coming up short when it comes to making a positive difference to the state of our planet. That's why, for each week of April, I'll be sharing a new blog post with a different sustainable self-care idea for you to try!
Keep on reading to discover my first Sustainable Self-Care tip to help boost your mood, lessen your stress, and improve your mental health this Stress Awareness Month:
Sustainable Self-Care Tip Number 1: Get Outside!
Now that the weather is getting nicer, I'm trying to get outside 5/7 days a week to get some fresh air and release endorphins. Not only does spending time in nature in nature help reduce stress and inspire creativity, but getting outside has also been scientifically proven to boost your mood! So take 5 minutes today to get outside and breathe in some fresh air for a free and easy way to recharge and refresh your mind.
Plus, what better way to show some appreciation for our planet than by soaking up some vitamin D and beautiful scenery? ☀️
If the idea of committing yourself to 5 days a week only adds to your stress, why not start off easy with just 3 days or every other day? Spending even 10 minutes outside each day is better than nothing, and your mind (and body) will thank you for it!
Stay tuned for next week's blog post where we'll be sharing Part 2 of our Sustainable Self-Care series - in the meantime, feel free to connect with me over on the @AllThingsGreenn Instagram for more posts, reminders, and positivity to keep you motivated!
Because looking after yourself and prioritising self-care ultimately helps you to be the best eco-warrior you can be! 💚
Extra Resources & Help
If you're struggling to manage your stress and need additional help, check out the National Institutes of Health website for additional resources including helpful practices to manage stress and anxiety.
You can also visit the Mind website for more information, support and treatment on stress and other mental health issues.
At All Things Green, we share simple, eco-friendly tips to help you lead an imperfect sustainable lifestyle.
We believe that ‘small steps are still steps’, and that we can all have a positive impact on the planet - no matter how small.
Join the ATG community today and take that first step towards an imperfect sustainable future by following us on Instagram!
Want to read more? Check out our previous blog posts, bag some fantastic discounts on eco-friendly products, and find out more about our story here on the All Things Green website.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you next week for Sustainable Self-Care Part Two!
Naomi 💚