In this fast paced modern life, living green is about finding balance between the demands of daily life and consciousness about the health of the planet.
It is easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of having to do more, learn more, or add one more thing to the growing list. But, eco-friendly living does not have to be a chore. When we tap into our belief system and discover what is truly important to us, green living becomes a way of life.

Step One: Awareness

Becoming conscious of our daily decisions is the first step towards living a greener life. Just like beginning a meditation practice starts with becoming aware of your thoughts, living greener starts by becoming aware of our actions and how our actions affect the greater community. It may not seem like a big deal to get a few extra pieces of junk mail each day, but imagine how many people are in you neighborhood, in your city, or country and how a few extra pieces of paper can really add up to an enormous pile of waste each day.
If extra trash and deforestation doesn’t get you motivated, start focusing on your personal health. Common household cleaners pose a great health risk to the environment and your health. Not only toxic to the environment, toxic household cleaners have been linked to allergies, asthma, and infertility. Becoming aware of the cleaners you are using and the risks they pose is a significant step towards leading a greener life.
Read and learn about healthy living, both for your personal health and for the health of the planet. Discover which topics hit your hot button and become conscious of your daily choices and their health impacts.

Step Two: The alternatives

There are easy, cost effective ways to make your environment safer. Vinegar is a universal cleaner and disinfectant. Energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs use ¼ the energy of traditional bulbs. Eating local foods not only tastes better, but significantly decreases transportation cost and petroleum use. The list of eco-friendly tips could go on forever, but the point is after becoming aware of your actions, learning and implementing greener alternatives is the next step. The Environmental Working Group, GreenPeace, and Friends of the Earth are a few organizations dedicated to preserving natural resources and offering environmental education. Find ways to incorporate green living into your daily life. Experiment with energy saving techniques and health promoting alternatives to see what practices fit into your lifestyle.

Step Three: Preach what you practice

As you learn more energy saving, health promoting ways of life, begin sharing them with others. Your commitment to sustainability will be contagious. The majority of people love to save money, contribute to a greater cause, and take care of their health.
Be an inspiration to others by preaching the sustainable, eco-friendly ideas you practice. The more you share, the more others will open up and global consciousness will emerge, providing our future generations with the resources and diversity they deserve.