By: Lisa Paris

You’re busy.... real busy. You’re checking emails, while navigating the grocery store, while putting on mascara busy. You’re booking air travel, while walking the dog, while baking cookies kind of busy. You’re busy, you’re stressed and the thought of adding one more thing to your “to-do” list just might make your Blackberry explode. With tasks mounting and deadlines approaching you need more hours in the day, not more things to do. Could this be the reason why many of us can’t find time to chill out on waste, cut down the energy usage and, dare I say it, recycle?

It is apparent that when people are under stress they are less likely to do right by the environment, and with valid reason. When you only have ten minutes between meetings to pound your spinach salad, the likelihood that you will rinse, dry and recycle it’s plastic container is slim. A twenty minute drive home for the reusable bags you forgot is out of the question, and you are not going to drink that tasty French Roast out of your hands so if you don’t have your mug you’re going straight for the Styro.

Oh, the green  guilt. Oh, the enviromental shame of it all! Amidst your stress riddled day you have broken another eco-commandment. Now you have to look at that “one hit wonder” Styrofoam cup, sitting atop the trash, knowing that it’s headed straight for Landfill-Ville to sit for the rest of eternity. This does not make you feel better about your already chaotic existence.

We are aware that the more stressed out we find ourselves, the less time we find for Mother Earth. Could the converse of this idea be true as well? Could we reduce our daily stresses by lending a little more time to some enviro-lovin’? Is the fact that we are not doing our part adding a teensy bit more stress to our day to day?

The mass majority of eco-friendly activities are relaxing. Taking a walk on a beautiful day is more pleasant than getting cut off by a red beamer with personalized plates. Planting a garden provides more serenity than getting elbowed in a produce aisle for the last organic head of romaine. Hugging a tree can be even more therapeutic than punching your little brother. The list goes on and on.

Making time for the environment gratifies because it is in doing so that we cultivate love, care and a sense of gratitude. These acts afford us moments to slow down and bask in the unifying feeling of extending a helping hand. It feels good to do good, it reminds us of our infinite power to create positive change.

Adopting an earth savvy lifestyle sheds light on our priorities. This usually results in dropkicking current habits that don’t support the green goodness. Puffing away on cigarettes may no longer seem a clean air promoting move and a newfound passion for recycling feels counter productive when stopping for takeout (and it’s many disposable parts) on the daily. In going green we’re likely to reevaluate our drive thru status, cut out the McPit Stops and ciggies, and in turn begin to look super sexy and feel like a dream. Who isn’t lovin’ that?

It’s all about feeling good people. If you do opt to go twenty different kinds of green, remain conscious in order to avoid eco Gestapo like tendencies. Aspiring to be a perfect environmentalist is near impossible, will stress your little green butt out, and most likely cause a mad loss of friends. Stay calm in sustainably debaucherous situations, do what you can, and try to refrain from preaching. Remember, bad vibes affect Mother Earth too.

The bottom line is that the quest to beautify our surroundings ultimately results in the beautification of our inner and outer selves. I invite you to remember that focusing on what lies outside yourself is in turn the best thing you can do for yourself. Take time to plant some love, breathe deep and relish the moment that surrounds you.