Why caring for the environment is good for your health

 

Always bloated? Skip the plastic straw.

It’s a no-brainer. When you drink through a straw, you do not only sip your favorite juice drink but also the trapped air inside it.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, swallowed air contributes to bloating, where the abdomen feels full and tight because of too much gas. Skipping the straw not only reduces your chances of having abdominal plain, you’ll also save the life of many marine animals who suffer when they accidentally ingest those little plastic that’s good for one-time use. You might consider never using plastic at all when you see this:
 

Forget crossfit, yoga, and your juicing diet. Here’s a new way to get sexy: Be a clean air warrior.

Just when you thought you’ve inhaled the worst, Metro Manila’s air pollution just got worse this year. And the culprit: cars.

Climate scientists also believe that greenhouse emissions from the transport sector is one of the major causes of global warming that wreaks havoc by driving extreme weather events to happen more frequently.

Every once in awhile, give the planet a chance to breathe easy by taking a leisurely walk or using a bike for short distances instead of taking gasoline-powered vehicles.  You can opt for the stairs too instead of taking the elevator to save energy.

A recent report by UK-based Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support entitled Walking Works lists down health benefits of walking. According to the report, 150 minutes of walking every week could save 37,000 lives each year. Being active slashes the risk of getting heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease by 20-50%.

And here’s a bonus, if you’re faithful to that 150 minutes of walking or biking, a study published in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity promises that you’ll sleep better at night too. After attaching a device that monitors physical activity to 3,000 adults, the study concluded that those who were more active fell asleep quicker.

There’s a scientific reason why broken hearts go to Sagada. It turns out, the great outdoors can heal you.

Ever wondered why you can trek faster in a scenic mountain than in your air-conditioned office stairs where every step feels like a drag?

A review published in the journal Extreme Physiology and Medicine suggest that we perceive exercise to be less demanding when performed in the natural environment. All types of green exercise improve self-esteem and alleviate tension, anger, and depression.

So the next time you feel down, hike a mountain or hit the beach. Hire guides and buy products that can encourage locals to protect their environment. Don’t forget these guidelines to have an eco-friendly trip.
 

Eating healthy is actually eating green

A Philippine study in 2010 found that based on hospital surveys, the number of pesticide-related cases and deaths have been increasing. Studies from 2006 to 2010 showed that human health especially those of the farmers is at risk due to pesticide exposure. Illnesses and symptoms such as headache, skin abnormalities, fatigue, fever, and weaknesses were the common health complaints experienced by farmers.

Consider growing your own herb and vegetable garden. This saves you from eating produce with pesticide residue (yes, they have it, whether you like it or not) which can be harmful when ingested in large amounts.

Buying fruits and veggies in season also allow you get the freshest and most nutrient-packed produce available, and at the same time avoid the pollution and greenhouse gas emitted when transporting food from across the country or overseas. Buying organic, or produce that were not grown or processed using synthetic pesticide and chemical fertilizers, can be an option too because they have less pesticide residues than conventional food. ---BMS, GMA Public Affairs