We get so many inputs from health experts, fitness buffs, and lifestyle gurus about the hobbies we need to build, the food we need to eat, and the things we need to cut off to live truly healthy lives. This is all good advice, of course. We must have smart, mindful daily practices to keep ourselves on the right track to stay fit and healthy even as we grow older.
But one aspect that is often overlooked about overall well-being is the great benefits that switching to renewable energy offers in the journey to good mental and physical health. Renewable energy is not only a cost-effective switch. It is also a healthy switch that can significantly improve your life.
As you look for solar panel installation companies or wind turbine hauling services, familiarize yourself with the advantages that renewable energy has to offer outside of reduced electricity bills.
Major Health Benefits of Renewable Energy
Many people have qualms about renewable energy because it involves substantial upfront expenses. This is a valid concern to raise, but it also pays to know when the benefits far outweigh the costs.
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You breathe cleaner air
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the burning of fossil fuels produces nitrogen oxides that are released into the air. These then support the production of smog and acid rain, which is harmful to humans.
When you reassess your lifestyle and make the switch to renewable energy, you help reduce the harmful effects caused by the various air pollutants that make their way into the environment due to fossil fuel consumption. Clean air reduces your risk for allergies and other respiratory illnesses that could lead to serious consequences.
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You produce less water waste and use cleaner water
Traditional sources use a lot of water to generate electricity. On the other hand, renewable sources such as solar power and wind turbines require no water to provide a household’s daily electricity needs.
In everyday practice, it can seem unnecessary to have to conserve water. However, the reality that many of us do not realize is that water is a limited resource that we are responsible for maintaining. There should not have to be a shortage of clean water for us to realize that we need to only use what we need.
Water grows the crops that feed us, sustains wildlife, keeps various species of plants and animals alive, and allows humans to follow our hygiene routines daily. By shifting to renewable energy, we reduce water wastage and keep water pollutants from destroying our natural bodies of water.
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It can encourage better fitness
The shift to renewable energy often comes with increased mindfulness of how you consume electricity. This encourages you to build better habits, from turning off lights, unplugging devices when not in use, and even investing in energy-efficient home appliances.
The more conscious you are about the environmental consequences of your actions, the more encouraged you are to pursue healthier life practices daily. For instance, reducing your carbon footprint can involve switching to an alternative mode of transportation.
By walking or riding your bike to bring yourself from place to place instead of riding a car, you help cut down on air pollution. You also accomplish cardio workouts that keep your heart healthy and strong.
Challenge yourself to bike or walk on your commutes. Ease into it by first traveling short distances, then gradually increasing your distance as you get used to it.
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It slows down the effects of climate change
The traditional means of generating electricity is by consuming fossil fuels. This process emits greenhouse gases or gases that trap heat within the Earth’s atmosphere, thus making the Earth hotter.
It is important to understand that human activities have already caused irreversible effects of climate change. This does not mean, though, that you do not have the power to mitigate its harmful effects and work towards a future that remains livable for future generations.
The more seriously people take global warming today, the more capable we are of acting against it. By fighting against the possible further extreme weather changes on Earth, we can avoid heat-related illnesses that put people at risk for hospitalization and even death.
Care for the Planet Is Self-Care
Shifting to renewable energy is a major move to take care of the planet. It is also important to know that sustainable energy sources and environmental consciousness both help us stay healthy as we live. It also keeps the Earth a safe place for the generations that will come after us.
