While most of us recognize the importance of mental healthcare and sustainability, we are used to seeing them as completely separate issues. In truth, they are closely connected as your lifestyle and environment has a direct influence on your mental health and emotional wellbeing. When you make changes to your lifestyle that benefit the environment and future generations, you feel a profound sense of accomplishment and purpose. The inner peace and personal growth that you can find through sustainable living helps build mental resilience so that you are better able to meet and overcome the challenges of everyday life.

Keep in mind that sustainable habits, while good for your mental health are not a substitute for professional therapy. Make it a point to talk to a mental health professional regularly whether or not you have a mental illness or want to take preventive action. Psychological approaches such as somatic therapy and behavioral therapy don’t just give you coping skills, but can also make it easier for you to transform your lifestyle and cultivate healthier habits that are compatible with sustainability.
Sustainable Habits for Better Mental Health and Planetary Health
1. Spend more time in nature
Spending more time outdoors in a natural environment offers proven mental health benefits as research clearly shows that people who have greater access to green spaces tend to have a lower risk of mental health disorders and higher levels of satisfaction with life. At the same time, spending time in natural parks and forests strengthens your connection with the natural world, giving you a chance to appreciate the biodiversity and interconnectedness of all life on earth.
2. Reduce Your Waste
Taking action to reduce waste and conserve resources such as water and energy will help to reduce your carbon footprint, support sustainability, and give you a greater sense of purpose. You can take small steps such as segregating recyclables, composting kitchen scraps, and upcycling items instead of discarding them. For example, you could reuse old jars as planters or lamps, save water by fixing leaks or collecting rainwater for plants, and so on. These small actions add up to be both environmentally impactful and emotionally satisfying.
3. Grow your own plants
While planting trees and plants will not solve the climate change problem, it makes a difference to sustainability and your mental health. Cultivating a home garden with fruits, vegetables, herbs, or flowering plants supports sustainability by reducing dependence on store-bought produce, cutting down on transportation emissions, and minimizing packaging waste. Flowering or fragrant plants like jasmine and lilies can also boost your mood, giving you a sense of peace and tranquility.
4. Adopt a minimalistic lifestyle
A minimalistic lifestyle doesn’t mean that you have to live a life of self-deprivation. It’s simply about mindful living so that your lifestyle is sustainable and not driven by consumerism. The change that it promotes in your mindset and behavior offers immense benefits not just for sustainability, but also for mental health as studies show that experiences rather than material possessions have a stronger impact on our happiness and quality of life.
5. Reduce your use of social media & AI
While social media and AI do offer plenty of opportunities for our betterment, their impact on the environment is often overlooked. Social media and AI depend on large data centers that consume vast amounts of energy, while their use is also associated with worsening mental health. Limiting your use of social media and AI to instead form real-world connections can promote sustainability, while also improving your mental wellbeing. If you aren’t sure how to make this transition, start by joining local clubs or social causes where you can meet like-minded people.
6. Volunteer for Environmental Causes
Volunteering for environmental causes supports sustainability by directly addressing problems that are degrading the environment. At the same time, such activities foster a stronger sense of community and purpose. This can include participating in tree-planting drives, beach cleanups, or wildlife conservation efforts. These activities can reduce feelings of helplessness and futility, instead nurturing a sense of optimism and positivity.
7. Eat sustainably
Of all the habits aimed at promoting sustainability, this is perhaps the hardest one to adopt. Nevertheless, it makes a huge difference to the environment and you can make small changes one at a time to achieve this goal. Start by choosing locally sourced, seasonal, and plant-based foods to minimize the environmental impact of production and transport. This can help reduce emissions and waste while supporting local farmers. At the same time, sustainable eating also promotes better nutrition, which directly affects your mood and energy levels.
While there’s a lot more that you can do to live sustainably, these are just a few suggestions to help you get started. You can find more information on sustainability and the power of individuals to effect change from the Center for Biological Diversity.