7 tips to create a sustainable lifestyle

Creating a sustainable lifestyle is a lifelong commitment. Such a choice will affect all spheres of your life but that's not all. The way we live now will influence the generations to come. We might not be aware of it, but our decisions can impact many people all over the world. If you want to make our planet a better place, we have some tips for you to create a sustainable lifestyle.

Tip no. 1 - Reduce water consumption in your home

This is one of the most important tips to create a sustainable lifestyle for yourself and those who will live after us. Saving water is actually a very simple thing to do and it easily becomes a habit if you practice it. It is one of the ways to make your house eco-friendly. Here is what you can do inside your home:

• start by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth - yes, many people keep their water running throughout the entire process which is rather unnecessary;
• install dual-flush toilets so that you can choose whether to use a full flush or just a half-flush;
• abandon your traditional showerheads in favor of water-saving models;
• add aerators to sink faucets;
• make a clever choice of a washing machine - look for energy and water-saving features; for instance, some models can recognize the minimal amount of water necessary for good performance - investing in such an appliance is one of the tips to create a sustainable lifestyle;

Tip no. 2 - Conserve water outdoors

When you are planning the landscape of your lawn, make sure that you make choices that are sustainable. That means that you should consider planting only the plant species that naturally grow in your living area. Or, you can opt for some drought-tolerant plants that can survive harsher weather conditions. If your lawn still needs sprinklers, be careful to distribute them evenly and don't let them water your sidewalk or driveway instead of your lawn. 

Use sprinklers only when absolutely necessary

Do not even think about owning a pool in your backyard if you want to create a sustainable lifestyle. 

Tip no. 3 - Reduce your energy consumption

This is also something easily doable. Here is how you can consume less energy:

• turn off all of the appliances that you are not using at the moment (yes, your mobile charger too); the same goes for the light in any of the rooms nobody's using;
• avoid airconditioning whenever that's possible and install a thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home the way you set it - avoid overheating, it is neither eco-friendly nor healthy;
• choose energy-efficient appliances when buying the new ones;
• stop using incandescent lightbulbs and switch to LED lighting;

Switch to LED lighting instead of incandescent light

Tip no. 4 - Walk more, drive less

Fossil fuels most of our vehicles use are not renewable sources of energy, and as such, they are not a good choice for a sustainable lifestyle. It is not a secret that the countries in which many people drive are the ones with the largest greenhouse gas emissions. Public transport is a far better option. In case you cannot get where you need to be by bus or a train, you can at least try carpooling with your colleagues and friends. Electric cars represent a good way to go, but most of them are still rather expensive.

Are you trying to live more healthily too? Try walking or cycling the shorter distances that you usually use your car for. That will make you spend more time outdoors which is also great. 

Tip no. 5 - Make better eating choices

It is great that nowadays you can find all sorts of fruits and vegetables in your local grocery store. But, have you thought about where they are coming from. How much fossil fuel is used for them to be transported to where you live? If you do not like the answers, you should try eating locally-produced food.

There was research that showed that fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts that naturally grow in your living area are actually the ones that your body needs. Nature has it all thought out, it is us who are confused by the abundance that a modern lifestyle offers. 

Tip no. 6 - Donate and recycle

One man's trash is another man's treasure - what you don't need anymore can be very useful for somebody else. Many of us have far more clothes than we need or wear. Don't throw them away, give them to charities or other organization that fights for a similar cause. Speaking of clothes, many companies are producing clothes that are made from renewable sources - support that!

Recycle to create a sustainable lifestyle

Look for a recycling sign on any item that you plan to throw away. Many countries have a good recycling program and if yours is not one of them, you can do your best to spread the word and do something about it. That is the way to create a sustainable lifestyle too. For instance, if you are starting over abroad in a country where such programs are still not developed, talk to your neighbors and colleagues about the importance of eco-friendly living and don't forget to practice what you preach!

Tip no. 7 - Avoid using plastic containers

Plastic and sustainability do not walk hand in hand. Well, at least not if we are talking about disposable packaging. If your goal is to create a sustainable lifestyle, avoid using disposable food containers. Invest in some eco-friendly, reusable food boxes, bowls, and other containers. Unlike the disposable ones, those will last you for years.

You should do the same with water bottles. In most areas, tap water is just as healthy as bottled, if not even healthier since it is always fresh. Disposing of several water bottles a day is neither environmentally-friendly nor is it sustainable. 

Reusable water bottles are better for nature

Once you adopt this habit, you will start thinking of the best eco-friendly packaging that you can use in other situations in your life. For instance, you will look for reusable boxes when you are packing for moving. Or, you will choose recyclable paper when wrapping presents.

Conclusion

Those were just some of the tips you can follow to create a sustainable lifestyle. If all of us take only what we really need from nature and make as little trash as possible, we can hope that our children will live in a world that is healthier than the one we are experiencing.