Why To Live Sustainably? The 7 Most Important Benefits Of A Sustainable Lifestyle

Why should you live sustainably? This is a question that all of us should really be asking ourselves. As I type these lines into my keyboard, I'm even a little surprised that I'm writing them at all. After all, what does it say about our society when you have to convince other people to stand up for other living beings and for a healthy planet on which we ourselves live?

At the very least, this does not exactly underline the future-oriented actions of a company. But that is exactly what sustainability means. Fortunately, there are countless convincing arguments and motives for a conscious, sustainable lifestyle.

In this article, I would therefore like to explain briefly and concisely why sustainability is so important - and why we should all learn to live sustainably. Let's go!

You can find a brief overview here in advance:

1. Solving environmental problems
2. Healthier and lighter living
3. Save cash
4. Have more time for the important things
5. Improving social coexistence
6. Feel better and be happier
7. Being a role model for future generations

Why should you live and act sustainably? 7 reasons and advantages

Sustainability is actually a simple, forestry principle: No more wood may be felled than can grow back. Nevertheless, the Earth overload day steadily towards the beginning of the year. We are literally sawing away at the branch we are sitting on every day - and living on credit. At the expense of the environment, animals and other people. We waste Natural resourceswhich should actually last all year round.

"The greatest danger to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." 

Robert Swan (more at Sustainability Quotes)

So maybe I even need to clarify the initial question a bit more: Why MUST we live and act sustainably? After all, we simply have no other choice. Either we live sustainably now - or at some point we won't at all. There is no alternative to sustainability.

I would now like to give you my personal reasons why a sustainable lifestyle is so important for you and for all of us.

1. because we have to solve environmental problems

We humans are faced with a mammoth task: We have to save our planet - from ourselves. The following, largest Environmental problems of our time are a significant part of this challenge:

• climate change
• Plastic waste in the environment
• Deforestation of the rainforests
• Water shortage
• species extinction
• …

These and other ecological problems are all attributable to the behavior of humans on Earth. More precisely, to each and every one of us. We created the problems ourselves. And that is why we are the only living beings on this planet who can solve them. We only have this one planet. If we destroy it, everything we do, everything we own and everything we dream of will be worth nothing.

Why live sustainably? Because the challenges get bigger every day that we don't do it. Our resource-intensive way of life in industrialized countries like Germany ultimately endangers all life on this earth. Even our own.

2. because you live healthier and lighter

Nobody can stay healthy in a sick environment! A sustainable lifestyle promotes both environmental protection and your own health. Through the beconscious consumption of plant-based regional organic foods. and the Reduce your meat consumption For example, you strengthen your immune system and reduce the environmental impact of pesticides and other pollutants. These are pretty convincing reasons for a sustainable lifestyle, don't you think?

Further information and tips You can find out more about this in the following blog posts:

• Buying organic food at a low price - how it works
• Why go vegan? The biggest advantages
• The best tips for a healthy lifestyle
• Shopping regionally - the most important tips

Why live sustainably? Because you increase your chances of staying fit and healthy and feeling good in the long term.

3. because you can save money

You can Save money through sustainability! Energy-efficient household appliances, the Switch to reusable, reusable products, the Use of public transportation or the sale and purchase of second-hand goods, are just a few examples of the financial benefits that can be gained by reduce our ecological footprint.

Why live sustainably? Because in the end you'll have a lot more money left over for the things that really excite you.

4. because you have more time for the important things

Sustainability also means living more mindfully and being more aware of how you spend your time. This creates new space for the important things in life, such as Family, friends and enriching hobbiesthat you can pursue with full passion.

Also the narrow-toothed minimalist lifestyle and the conscious decision for quality instead of quantity in your own consumer behavior, offer you the opportunity to get rid of superfluous ballast.

Why live sustainably? Because you can concentrate better on the essentials and gain more time for family, friends and hobbies.

5. because it enriches our life (together)

Beyond the health and environmental benefits, the sustainable lifestyle of each individual has a wonderful effect on the coexistence of our global society. Your conscious decisions strengthen the sense of community in our society.

Why? Here is an overview of some logical consequences and positive effects:

• Better relationships: Sustainable action relies on helpfulness and communication and connects people with each other.
• More time with family and friends: As already mentioned, a more conscious lifestyle inevitably leads to a more conscious use of your time.
• Sufficient availability of natural resources: The scarcer the resources, the more selfish and ruthless we humans often become. Sustainable action ensures greater availability and can even prevent wars.
• Higher satisfactionThose who act according to their own values are more satisfied with themselves and appear to be cognitive dissonance against. People who are happier are in turn happier and therefore friendlier in their dealings with other people.

When we live sustainably, we are much more the people we actually are. We would never normally saw to the branch we are sitting on. Nevertheless, traditions and habits lead us to pay money for products that do just that.

A sustainable, future-oriented lifestyle stands for the preservation of human values. Helpfulness, compassion, kindness and Openness to change. Is it human to destroy the planet and all life on it? If this is really the case, then we probably deserve it. 😉

Why live sustainably? Because sustainable action connects us humans and can be the basis for peaceful interaction with one another.

6. because you feel better and are happier

I would like to take a closer look at the benefit of well-being here. A responsible attitude towards our fellow human beings and the environment leads directly to a increased self-esteem and a greater zest for life.

A mindful lifestyle reduces the damage caused by our everyday behavior. Simply because you take responsibility for the consequences of your own actions. For this reason, the benefits of a sustainable lifestyle are not only ecological, but also psychological and emotional.

Why live sustainably? Because it makes you happier, more self-confident and more satisfied if you take a clear and unambiguous stand for environmental protection every day.

7. because you are a role model for future generations

It is convenient and easy to shift responsibility to others (e.g. politics and business) so that you don't have to change yourself. But with this attitude, nothing changes in this world. You yourself are a role model - either in a negative or positive sense.

Also, in the fight against injustice, environmental problems, or other types of overall social problems (such as the World hunger), we need people who lead the way. People, like Greta Thunberg, who make climate change more tangible. Or simply People like you and mewho set an example in everyday life or on the Internet, or who themselves learn from others how an environmentally conscious lifestyle can work.

Always knowing why you are living sustainably provides the necessary motivation and perseverance.

Why live sustainably? Because you are a role model for others - not least for your children and grandchildren, who will live on this planet for a very long time to come.

Why live sustainably? Because we need to protect ourselves from ourselves

You need to live sustainably to save the planet, stay healthy, save money, have more time, feel better, be a role model and improve social interaction in the world.

In the meantime, we simply have no other choice eitherthan to drastically adjust our way of life. The sustainable way of life is fortunately quite easy to implement and nobody has to do everything perfectly. Whether you eat a vegan diet, cycle more often or only sip cocktails from reusable straws - every step (no matter how small) is a step in the right direction!

"What we do today will determine what the world looks like tomorrow."

Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (more at Sayings about good deeds)

You should now be aware of the importance of sustainable action. In conclusion, I would now like to offer you Book Sustainable living for beginners (is available here*) some further articles from the Sustainability Blog with whom you can take the next steps:

• Live more climate friendly
• Save water in the home
• Protecting rainforests
• Conserving resources in everyday life
• End world hunger
• Stop species extinction
• Avoiding waste in everyday life

Do you have any questions, suggestions or even more motivating arguments and advantages of sustainable living? Then just write me a comment.

Stay sustainable,

PS: Avoiding waste plays a key role in environmentally conscious behavior. Everything you need to know about Zero Waste Lifestyle you will find out next in the linked blog post.