Skincare, hair care, and wellness checks are essential elements to add to your wellness routine, and focusing on them can keep stress at bay, provide structure to your everyday life, and even boost your mental health. 

While we may engage in wellness activities here and there, we rarely consider the impact these products have on our environment. The substantial increase in plastic packaging in the US by over 120 times since 1960, coupled with a recycling rate of only 35%, poses negative repercussions for our environment. The use of toxic synthetics and preservatives further exacerbates this risk. In order to counter that, it is crucial to understand the importance of being eco-friendly and the different products you can use instead. Let us show you.

The Importance of Being Eco-Friendly 

Industrialization and population growth have increased the number of greenhouse gasses in our environment, leading to an increase in the average surface temperature and global warming. ‘The Global Risks Report 2021‘ by the world economic forum identifies the threats we face in the coming years, such as biodiversity loss, climate action failure, human environmental damage, extreme weather, and more. In the face of this, we need to be environmentally conscious. 

To be eco-friendly means to prevent further harm to the environment through your actions, and eco-friendly products promote green living or sustainable living by reducing your ecological footprint. It conserves and preserves natural resources and habitats as it counters over-exploitation, destruction, and pollution. 

Green Living and You

Eco-friendly living improves your health as you switch to toxin-free products. Many mass-produced personal care products contain chemicals like mercury, and exposure to these can lead to cancer, asthma, and obesity. Similarly, phthalates, used to make plastic more durable, are found in many personal care products, and prenatal exposure can lead to learning, attention, and behavioral problems in kids. 

Green living allows you to live free of toxins and reduce your carbon footprint. As you reuse your packaging, recycle your products, or make compost, you can substantially reduce the waste produced and even the cash needed to replace old products. This further preserves the environment and biodiversity as you reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills. But most importantly, you need to buy consciously and buy less.

Being eco-friendly begins by consuming items that create less environmental harm, supporting others that work to produce eco-friendly/sustainable communities, and learning the extent of your carbon footprint and how you can reduce it. It’s also essential to connect with other eco-conscious people and communities and network and support them so they can create a more sustainable life. 

Eco-Friendly Products to Use 

Here are different eco-friendly products you can consider using for your general well-being.  

1. Vegan-Based Mushroom Capsules

In today’s lifestyles full of hurried fast-food lunches, supplements have become essential. Among these are mushroom capsules.Many individuals who use mushroom capsules want to improve their energy levels, seasonal allergies, sleep, and overall well-being. These tablets support your immune system and help against occupational stress and fatigue. 

Mushroom supplements are very safe, unlike other prescription pills. Mushroom extracts also have anti-cancer mechanisms, as they inhibit cancer cell growth. They also have anti-aging effects on the skin. You can also use them as psychedelics to treat mental health disorders like depression or migraines. Examples of common mushroom extract supplements which may have varying benefits include:

• Turkey tail
• Lion’s mane
• Polyporus umbellatus
• Reishi
• Shiitake

If you’re in the market for mushroom supplements, make sure to opt for vegan mushroom capsules instead animal-based ones, as they are better for the planet. Go for recyclable glass bottles and ensure that your capsules are certified by USDA Organic and NSF and registered with the FDA to ensure they are safe for your consumption.

2. Organic Herbal Tea  

There are hundreds of teas you can utilize and even grow in your garden as a part of an environmentally conscious routine. Some common ones around the world include:

• Black tea has a bold flavor and energizing properties. You can also substitute it for coffee.
• Green tea is considered one of the healthiest beverages in the world and is often used to ease tension and stress.
• Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea created through oxidation by leaving it in the sun to wilt and slightly bruise. It has L-theanine, an amino acid that helps with relaxation and cognitive performance. 
• White tea is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant and is the least processed out of the other three teas, so it retains many antioxidants.

Flower teas, like rose and jasmine, and common herbal teas, like yarrow, have incredible benefits, and you can grow them in your own backyard. Generally, drinking teas reduces inflammation, helps with nausea, and relieves stress and anxiety,

Organic teas are eco-friendly because they are grown without pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. They often use regenerative agricultural practices that nurture the soil, such as rotational grazing.  

If you’re buying your teas, make sure you opt for loose tea leaves instead of tea bags to reduce waste. Make sure that the brand you choose puts their products in eco-friendly herb pouches. Buying in bulk is also cheaper. You can use your steeped tea as compost or mix them with your soil to recycle them, as they are rich in nutrients.  

3. Cruelty-Free Personal Care Products

Personal care products protect your body from germs and bacteria while helping keep them healthy. It’s often not possible to completely stay ‘organic’ in your personal care routine. Mass-produced goods like your local mall stocks are not only wasteful, but they also contain preservatives that are linked to diseases like cancer. Irritant fragrances, and heavy metals are also common, and practices like animal testing are rampant. 

It’s essential to identify smaller companies that are transparent in their manufacturing practices and ingredients. For products, you can opt for switches like shampoo bars and conditioners instead of liquids in plastic, silk tooth floss, plant-based toothpaste, alum-free deodorant sticks, and refillable liquid products. 

Beware of brands that demonize ‘chemicals,’ as everything in its essence is a chemical. Opt for companies that take a science, nature, and ethics-based sustainable approach towards manufacturing.

Endnote 

As inhabitants of this planet, the responsibility falls on us to keep our earth safe and clean. Our actions have consequences, and it’s time we become mindful and bring practical changes to our lifestyle to lead the world to a better place, so whether it’s for your skin care products, capsules, or cosmetics, go eco-friendly.