How Making Green Choices Can Impact Your Mental Health

Going green isn’t just good for the planet. It’s good for your mental health, too.

Studies have found that investing in the environment can provide mood boosts and a sense of purpose. So, why not give it a try? Here’s how else going green can fortify your mental health

1. It encourages mindfulness 

Mindfulness—the act of being acutely present in the moment—is known to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. Making green choices encourages mindfulness because it prompts you to directly examine your actions and impact on the planet. That helps sharpen your focus and bring your priorities into light. This also contributes to a heightened sense of purpose, which is super important for mental health!

2. It can soothe stress and anxiety

Going green can reduce stress and anxiety in two ways. For one, you’re less likely to feel anxious in general when you’re in a clean, sustainable environment at home. And on a molecular level, going green means you’re not exposed to chemicals that can physically cause anxiety and other mental disorders.

3. It encourages physical well-being, which ties directly to good mental health

Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle includes a lot of walking and biking around. Exercising is known to promote mental health. So is eating lots of organic fruits and veggies—which is also high on the list of eco-friendly actions.

4. Going green encourages you to embrace minimalism

Living in a minimalist space can boost mental well-being, too. Reducing physical clutter reduces mental clutter as well!