We’re living in extraordinary times; 2020 was a rollercoaster ride like no other. Life as we know it has been disrupted, disorganized and dismantled. The political, scientific and spiritual landscapes have shifted, creating great discord in our ecosystems. They are strained, and our resources have become depleted.
The winds of change are blowing, and there’s one thing we all have in common: the planet. Our mothership. Our belief in nature. The concepts of sustainability, regeneration and green consciousness have been with us since the earth days of our youth, slowly growing in momentum, and you—and your spa—can do your part to help.
In his book The Dao of Leadership, John Heider writes about the ripple effect:
“Do you want to be a positive influence in the world? First, get your own life in order. Ground yourself in the single principle so that your behavior is wholesome and effective. If you do that, you will earn respect and be a powerful influence. Your behavior influences others through a ripple effect. A ripple effect works because everyone influences everyone else. Powerful people are powerful influences. If your life works, you influence your family. If your family works, your family influences the community. If your community works, your community influences the world. If your world works, the ripple effect spreads throughout the cosmos. Remember that your influence begins with you and ripples outward. So be sure that your influence is both potent and wholesome. How do I know that this works? All growth spreads outward from a fertile and potent nucleus. You are a nucleus.”
With that in mind, these six tips will help you begin your journey toward living green.
1. Choose Organics
Whether it’s food, supplements or skin and body products, ingredients and soil matter. If you’re eating a plant or using a product that has been grown in soil treated with harmful fertilizers or chemicals, your body can absorb them. Know your supply chain and be sure that what you consume, sell and provide to your customers is made of pure, organic materials and ingredients. This is an area where you can vote with your dollars and your preferences: Consume less meat, eat as locally as possible and educate yourself about all related issues.
2. Build Immunity
This is something on everyone’s mind these days, and it’s such a critical part of self-care. There are many holistic and natural ways to boost immunity, like consuming elderberry, vitamins C and D and zinc to stay healthy and resilient. You should also consider sleep, exercise and nature bathing to keep all systems tuned and balanced.
Did you know that spending 20 minutes in the forest or on the beach reduces stress and anxiety, and improves mood and immunity? In his book Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness, Japanese medical doctor and researcher Qing Li presents some sobering statistics: By 2050, according to the United Nations Population Division, three quarters of the world’s people will live in cities. Even now, the average American spends 93% of their time indoors, and some 10 hours a day on social media—more than they spend asleep.
Continue Reading the other 4 steps to lowering your carbon footprint in our Digital Magazine...
Joanna Roche is the executive director of GSN Planet, a nonprofit trade association serving the spa, wellness and hospitality communities in support of a sustainable future. Her mission is to inspire wellness, activism and sustainability as both a personal and business practice. Roche is a certified vibrational sound therapist, is trained in mind mapping and emotional intelligence (EQ), and teaches at The Graceline Institute in Nantucket, Massachusetts. A renowned wellness expert, Roche frequently speaks at conferences, writes for various publications and hosts a radio show highlighting the people and practices making the world a better place.
