Happiness in ten sustainable steps

Making planet friendly choices can make us feel happier and more fulfilled, writes Sophie Butler. Cue smug face.

We know sustainability is fundamental to the happiness of the planet, but there is increasing awareness thats it's also key to our own well-being and happiness.

Matt Mellen (inspirational environmentalist, founder of ecohustler.co.uk , director of ecologicalminds.com and good friend of Start) gives us the 10 ways to become green and happy.

1. Become a time lord.

Manage your time by shifting your behaviour to local. By staying closer to home you'll save on transport costs and pollution, but also free extra time in a busy day to play with. You could try a new hobby, bake cakes or star gaze.

2.  Come together.

Showing your face in the community by shopping and socialising locally increases your positive connections with people, and allows you to build more human relationships. Try initiating a bit of community spirit by organising a street party.

3. Two birds, one stone.

Harness your human energy: combine your travel with your workout, hop on a bike, take a walk or for the more adventurous attempt roller skating or scooting. It'll improve your health and revitalise you.

4. Into the wild.

Research reveals we have an innate connection with the natural world - let the thrill of it enrich and inspire us. Try nurturing a tomato in your kitchen and smelling lavender by the pavement.

5. A, B or C?

Too much choice is time consuming, and can cripple us with insecurities. Limit to a couple of options - as in smaller shops, seasonal produce and independent cafes and we feel less anxious we've made a blunder.

6. De-clutter.

Save on resources by relying on fewer material things. Spend money instead on exciting activities and positive experiences, and on good food and drink.

7. Right here, right now.

Enjoy life as you're living it - do work and play you enjoy, not to chase other people's goals or external rewards. So don't worry - be happy.

8. Think outside the box.

As people meet their basic needs (food and shelter), they seek to satisfy successively higher, psychological  ones, such as closeness to others and creativity. If you are engaged and active around environmental issues you are more likely to be fullfilling higher needs, as you'll be considering others and the needs of the planet. So your life will be more purposeful and more fulfilled.

9. Pass the squeeze.

Happiness is infectious, whether spreading giggles through a silent room, or passing a smile to a stranger on the bus. Happy people breed a happy community and society. Green advocates tend to work in groups which allows happiness to free-flow.

10. Connect with everything.

Take a moment to think about our interconnectedness - how we are all linked with each other and with every thing on our planet.  Spend time appreciating your place as an integral part of the natural world and experience feelings of belonging, oneness and peace. Because no man is an Island!

http://positivenews.org.uk/2011/wellbeing/lifestyle/4244/ten-reasons-green-people-are-happier/