Nowadays, more and more people are beginning to care about the environment, as the consequences of global warming are becoming more evident every year. If you’ve been thinking about this topic, too, incorporating eco-friendly practices into your daily routine is one of the best ways to do your part in the preservation of our planet. So, if you happen to enjoy working out frequently – or if you’ve been planning on starting a new exercise routine – going green can benefit both you and the environment. With that in mind, here are a few healthy and green workout ideas that you might like.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is one of the most important parts of working out and staying fit. Now, you might be wondering how you can make that more eco-friendly, but the key is in your water bottle. Plastic bottles are not always safe, and plastic, in general, is one of the biggest environmental issues. So, make sure your plastic bottle is reusable, and consider switching to stainless steel bottles, as they are much greener and more durable as well.
Exercise outside
Working out outside automatically means that you wouldn’t need any costly equipment – other than quality sneakers, perhaps. Plus, exercising outside would give you an opportunity to appreciate nature, which might inspire you to do even more in order to protect it. Plus, you can exercise whenever you want, and you’d get a chance to meet more like-minded people who appreciate nature as much as you do every day. Additionally, exercising outside can also mean that you’d be saving energy at home, by turning off all the electronics before leaving, so there are more than a few indirect ways for this idea to make your lifestyle more eco-friendly.
Wear eco-friendly gym clothes
Speaking of equipment, one eco-friendly thing you can do is buy quality workout clothes made of sustainable materials that are easily recycled. For example, if you do a lot of running, and your feet get sweaty fast, you should get quality breathable socks. The same goes for your T-shirts, as you need them to be breathable – and comfortable. For example, you can never go wrong with cotton, but there are more than a few great options. So, do your research, and pay attention to the brands too. There are many eco-friendly brands that donate a portion of their earnings to various causes that help preserve our environment, so keep that in mind when shopping, as well.
Use the right supplements
If you want to reach your results faster, or if you’re generally very committed to your exercise, you’re probably already aware of the importance of supplements. They can help you enhance your performance, they are healthy, and, in many cases, they are also cruelty-free. Of course, before you start using them, you should consult your physician, so you know what kind of supplements you should focus on. For example, depending on your diet and physique, you might not even need too many supplements to reach your goal, and choosing quality pre-workout supplement options can be more than enough for you.
Improve your diet
You can’t talk about a healthy lifestyle without mentioning a healthy diet. Even though buying food at the supermarket is easy, it’s not really that healthy. Many products are mass-produced for such markets, and for that reason, are not as high quality as they could be. So, if you have a chance to shop locally, from local farmers, neighbors, and smaller shops that put emphasis on sustainable food choices, do so. Also, when talking about sustainability, it’s important not to waste your food; if you have a habit of preparing larger meals than necessary, you can always freeze them for later or donate them to local soup kitchens.
Opt for eco-friendly cosmetic products
You probably carry deodorant in your gym bag at all times since it’s simply one of those things you shouldn’t even dare break a sweat without, and if you’re a woman, you might even have some makeup to fix your looks after working out. If you do, then you have another opportunity for going green – by choosing eco-friendly cosmetic products. To do so, you should get familiar with cruelty-free brands that use only organic ingredients, and focus on buying your products from them. This way, you will not only look great, but you will also feel great knowing that you’re not harming the environment by simply fixing your appearance after your gym session.
Living a healthy lifestyle is not always easy, but managing to do so can be extremely rewarding. Therefore, if you’re thinking about adding exercise to your weekly routine, or if you want to improve your existing workout routine, consider the listed ideas, as they are great not just for you but for our planet too.