In honor of Blog Action Day: Seven tips for how simultaneously to boost your happiness and safeguard the environment (in your own small way).

Today is Blog Action Day, and bloggers across blogland are posting about the environment.

So, in honor of Blog Action Day, here are seven tips on how simultaneously to boost your happiness and safeguard the environment (in your own small way).

1. Walk a mile instead of driving. Walking means you’re not adding gas fumes and rubber particles to the air, and at the same time, studies show, even a ten-minute walk lifts your mood and gives you a burst of energy.

2. Skip the bottled water. Fact is, there is no evidence that you need to drink eight glasses of water a day—this is a myth, folks! And you CERTAINLY don’t need a fresh plastic bottle each time you want some water!

3. Pause before you buy anything. Do you really need that gadget or gizmo? One study suggests that the average household could cut back on 40% of housework by cutting back on clutter, which almost certainly would boost your happiness considerably. And by not buying, you save resources that would be spend in production, transportation, and disposal.

4. Buy a gas-efficient car. Because of the hedonic treadmill, you quickly adapt to changed circumstances. Although you may fall in love with a gas-hog in the showroom, once you’ve had the car for a while, you’ll take it for granted—but stopping for gas is annoying every time.

5. Carpool. Unfortunately, a bad commute is something to which people never adjust; it’s a pain every single day. Studies show that we enjoy activities more when we do them with other people, so carpooling is better for your happiness as well as for the environment.

6. Pick up other people’s litter. Do good, feel good is a happiness truism that really is true. Act like a considerate citizen of the world, and you’ll boost your self-esteem.

7. Work in your garden. Research suggests that working with soil may boost mood by strengthening your immune system and flooding your brain with serotonin.

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Sarah Lindner, of the Austin American-Statesman, wrote a very nice article -- Want to Be Happier? Read This -- about the Happiness Project. It's a great piece; also, it showed me that I need to make a new resolution: to stop saying "sort of" and "kind of" so often!

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If you're starting your own happiness project, please join the Happiness Project Group on Facebook to swap ideas. It's easy; it's free.

Comments

[Dave Lucas]

I skipped bottled water long ago... I ride my bike, but I'd rather take a city bus than carpool any day! Please check out my Blog Action Day post

http://dave-lucas.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-action-day-2007-salute-to-al-gore.html

[Gretchen Rubin]

Buses and subways are GREAT if you can use them -- I especially love the subway. Carpooling isn't as good for the environment, but is nice from a happiness perspective because you have a close relationship with the people you carpool with. Alas, for many people -- as in Kansas City where I grew up -- public transportation isn't a realistic option. I have a friend who bikes around NYC, which is great -- but I just don't have the courage for that!

[Beany]

Picking up trash did help me feel nice about myself. Picking up bottles, styrofoam containers and cans is one thing. Chicken bones and dog poop may not really boost anything but my gross out factor :)

[gmpicket]

I don't have a car. I ride the train, take the city bus, or walk. Typically going to and from work, I walk the first/last mile, thus getting on the train a mile from home instead of near home. I don't think this saves the earth since the train still runs that mile, but it does keep my derriere in shape.

I have found over the past year of ditching soft drinks and other sugary drinks for 2 to 2.5 liters of water per day has saved me a fortune on lotion. I'm not convinced that any liquid is as good or better than drinking water. I drink tap water at home, but there is no water fountain in the building at work and I'm suspicious of the bathroom sink water (it smells awful).

[Jennifer James]

So glad to hear that I don't need to drink eight glasses of water each day. It's nearly impossible unless you want to be in the bathroom ALL DAY LONG!

[Mrs. Micah]

The pause is especially important in online buying, where you don't have to stand in a checkout with the item, etc. I find it helpful to think about whether I'll be feeling buyer's remorse in a mere 30 seconds.

Lots of good tips here, thanks. :-)

[Kristin]

Plenty of people refill water bottles -- something that can be unhealthy after a day or two, btw. Cups are better! No one refills soda bottles, though, and I know people who drink five or six in a day. Everyone picks on bottled water, but soda and beer bottles and cans are just as bad.

[Kristina Richardson]

Everyone can make a difference! If you are passionate about stopping global warming and the environment you should check out this website www.nvisioncfl.com/ .Change to CFLs a great way for individual people to really make a difference! You should also check out this site www.youtube.com/user/helpourworld for more ideas on how to help our world!

[Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk]

One of the most effective ways to help the environment is to fly as little as possible. For some people that will be difficult, but a lot of the other things are small potatoes in comparison.

[Holly]

Gretchen Rubin! Speaking of happy, that's what I was when I saw my Sunday edition of the Austin American-Statesman.

You see, I read your Churchill book years ago following your appearance on Booknotes. It was gem. I loved your fresh approach, and it led me onto deeper reading on his life.

For the longest I had a photo of Churchill's desktop at Chartwell as my desktop screen.

No doubt I will enjoy reading your blog posts and exploring The Happiness Project archives.

[Gretchen Rubin]

This happens to me from time to time -- I can see that people have commented, but I can only read the very first one. So if there's something that I'm not responding to, that's why.

Eventually, it starts working again...

[elizabeth]

I work for Cox Enterprises and saw that you participated in Blog Action Day. I thought you might be interested in visiting www.CoxConserves.com. The site details Cox’s commitment to the environment and offers tips on how anyone can become eco-friendly.

Best,
Elizabeth

[Gretchen Rubin]

Ah, now I can read the comments.

Holly, you made me so happy with your kind words about FORTY WAYS TO LOOK AT WINSTON CHURCHILL. What a joy that was to write! Churchill is the most astoundingly fascinating character. I'm very pleased that I helped get you hook.

Lots of great green suggestions here...