Living ethically is obviously better for the planet and the animals. But is it better for the consumer? Does making better choices positively impact your mental health? Well, the answer is yes! So let’s go over why being kinder to the earth is a great way to be kinder to yourself. 

Being an Ethical Consumer 

The mental process (or journey) involved in repurchasing ethical commodities is important. Purchases based on self-actualization instead of guilt make ethical consumers happier when it comes to buying fair trade products. According to a 2016 study, when you follow the path of “narcissism to self-actualization, self-actualization to happiness, and self-actualization to repurchase intentions” you end up feeling more content with your choices and, therefore, happier in general. 

So what does it mean to be self-actualized? Well, when you realize the impact you can have on your surroundings, you feel more empowered as an individual who can vote with their dollar, and then you appreciate that you need to make the right choices. Self-actualization encourages an “I matter and I can make a difference!” attitude whenever you purchase the more ethical coffee, chocolate, and clothing.  

Eating Ethically 

We associate serotonin with exercise, but did you know a plant-based diet can also help raise your serotonin levels? Higher carb meals increase serotonin levels in the brain and help “tryptophan… cross the blood-brain barrier.” Tryptophan produces serotonin, which in turn, makes you feel happier. On the flip side, a diet high in protein and animal products limits serotonin production in the brain. Of course, you could eat a higher-carb diet and not be plant-based, but animal products simply don’t encourage the high levels of serotonin that plant carbohydrates do. 

Some awesome vegan sources of tryptophan include leafy greens, sunflower seeds, watercress, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, broccoli, and peas, so get munching! 

A Healthy World Makes Us Happy 

Ethical living encourages a healthier world, which scientifically makes us even happier! This should come as no surprise, especially since the rates of climate anxiety and climate grief are higher than ever before. 

Biophilia 

Humans and all other living things are interconnected, therefore, “nature has a direct, positive impact on happiness shaped by our evolutionary origins”. Picture yourself in a lush forest or on top of a rolling hill in the middle of spring, good emotions stir up, right? To deny that humans are connected to nature and other wildlife is to deny that we too are just animals – regardless of how incredibly smart we are as a species! Green nature makes us happier, less stressed, more optimistic, and self-regulated, while air and noise Pollution are stressors and interrupt this natural connection. 

Encourages Happy Behaviors 

Big natural spaces open to the public encourage physical exercise and social interaction. This improves people’s mental and physical health, which ultimately makes people happier! It’s a simple but important idea, and we can’t have those beautifully clean and green spaces if we don’t live in a manner that respects our environment and everything that lives in it! A sunny day makes people want to run or hang out with friends in the park. Both of those things make people happy, and the thriving natural space deserves all the credit. 

Live Happy, Stay Happy

There are plenty of ways to live more ethically. You can purchase more fair trade products, limit the amount of mass-produced clothing you buy, and remove animal products from your diet. These are just a few ways to be kinder to the earth and all of the people that work incredibly hard to give us the commodities we often take for granted. 

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Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast Fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!