Sustainability

Sustainability

Sustainability efforts certainly help the earth… the place where everyone lives. That’s good enough really. But what can this do for your own wellbeing?

Engaging with others to promote best environmental practices is a great way to meet people. Social interaction is a clear benefit to your mental health. Additionally, picking up litter or tending a garden are great opportunities for exercise. Your body will appreciate whatever level of engagement feels comfortable.

Stress takes a toll on both mental health and physical health. Finances are often at the root of stress. Can sustainability help with your financial stress? You bet. Reusing items means you are not buying new things. Up-cycling promotes not only sustainability but is easier on the wallet than always buying new. Plus up-cycling can be a great creative outlet. You can do well and do good… one of our favorite sayings at HealthCare Too!

But wait! There’s more. Most religions and belief systems emphasize the need for stewardship. Find a spiritual connection through sustainability. You are part of something larger. Enjoy it.

Think About Sustainability More Broadly

Sustainability

It's The Little Things

Sustainability encompasses everything we do to help our planet. This is not just large projects like alternative energy or massive cleanup efforts. We make a contribution with everyday activities like reusing items instead of throwing them away or buying items that have been sustainably created.

Sustainability

We Can Save Money & Save The World?

One of our founding principles is that the US has a "sick care" system. This promotes poor health and is more costly. Like a proper healthcare system, sustainability offers not only a better earth but huge savings (i.e., $26 billion by 2030).

Sustainability

Zero Waste

How much waste is in your Life? Not just the items that recyclable. How much of your time, resources, and emotions? You are part of the world. Let Zero Waste be a principle not just for items but for your overall health and wellbeing!

Sustainability Thought For Your Wellbeing

95% of plastic packaging material value— US$120 billion annually—is lost after first use.

-The New Climate Economy, 2018 Report

There is much waste. Such waste hurts not only the environment but needlessly squanders resources. Your own wellbeing rests on the interplay of Body, Mind, and Spirit. Similarly, our environment is a complex system of interdependencies. What we waste in plastics are missed opportunities for reusable products, new industries, entrepreneurs and more.

HealthCare Too Articles on Sustainability

There are so many benefits from sustainability efforts. HealthCare Too has put together articles to help you explore the benefits and ways to achieve them. Enjoy these articles with our blessing!

food waste

A Recycled Recipe For Food Waste

Food Waste Food Waste – A Modern Problem Throughout most of Human history and still in many areas (including in the US) there was never ...
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Financial Wellness: Aviva Romm, M.D. – mindbodygreen

Overcoming Financial Fear Overcoming financial fear is not just a topic at the Holidays… or when the bills come due after the Holidays. For many, ...
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hospitals to pay for housing

HHS Wants More Medicare Advantage Services

HHS Wants More Medicare Advantage Services Secretary Azar seems to be pushing for more prevention and better health as HHS wants more Medicare Advantage services. ...
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hospitals to pay for housing

CMS may allow hospitals to pay for housing through Medicaid – Modern Healthcare

Hospitals To Pay For Housing This may well mark a turning point in the current US sick care system where the Federal Government could pursue ...
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confounding social determinants

Social Determinants Of Health: Holy Grail Or Dead-End Road?

Confounding Social Determinants There is poverty in America. There always has been. There probably always will be. It is unfortunate and we must always strive ...
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Consciousness Meets DNA

Epigenetics: Where Consciousness Meets DNA » Brain World

Consciousness Meets DNA It’s like an off-beat Science Fiction show… Consciousness Meets DNA. One might expect a rogue scientist to buddy up with an ancient ...
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Setting Goals For Sustainability

Sustainability requires behavioral changes. Think about using goals in your life to make those changes.

A common framework for goal setting is the SMART goal. Each letter in the acronym represents a component of a good goal.

Specific: A goal should help you focus on something specific. Instead of setting a goal for “fully sustainable” you can break it down into components. This is an opportunity to focus on more than using the recycling bin. Look at your total wellbeing and pick something specific that would make you happy. Perhaps a goal to eat locally sourced ingredients. There could be many side benefits from this directly to you like nutrition, better physical health, and maybe even some local relationships with small business owners.

Measurable: Once you have a specific goal you can establish a way to measure it. The measure should be easy to use; otherwise, you won’t use it. Following the earlier goal to eat locally-sourced food, you might commit to one meal per week. You can always grow from there.

Achievable: New Year’s Resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep. One of the top reasons is that they are so distant that we give up. Make your goals achievable so that they stretch you but not break you. If you are just starting your venture into sustainability, don’t try “convert to all alternative fuels” as your initial goal. Work up to it and enjoy the journey.

Relevant: Your sustainability goals should be relevant to everything else in your wellbeing. It makes no sense to sacrifice your overall wellbeing for a single goal. You are a total person and your goals should support you… Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Timely: Put a time frame around your goals to which you can commit daily. A goal that is months or years into the future is more like a wish. Set your sustainability goals for something you will do daily or at least weekly. 

Additional Resources

Sustainability

In addition to our articles you may find these resources useful: