Green That Life
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Simple Changes
  • Taking Action
  • Resources
    • Your Recycling Questions Answered
    • Essential Green Terms and Phrases
    • Best Environmental Books
  • About Sara
Green That Life

Your guide to a more sustainable lifestyle

Green That Life
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Simple Changes
  • Taking Action
  • Resources
    • Your Recycling Questions Answered
    • Essential Green Terms and Phrases
    • Best Environmental Books
  • About Sara
  • Food
  • Garden
  • Home
  • Simple Changes

The 6 Best Ways to Enjoy a Green Summer Lifestyle

  • August 7, 2019
  • 4 minute read
  • Sara Goddard
Get outdoors for a green summer lifestyle
Get outdoors for a green summer lifestyle
Total
6
Shares
4
0
2
0

Summer should be a time for relaxation and hassle-free days. That said, it’s entirely possible to have a green summer lifestyle that’s blissfully carefree while still protecting the planet!

Soak up Nature for a Green Summer Lifestyle

A hike is a perfect way to enjoy a green summer lifestyle.
A hike is a perfect way to enjoy a green summer lifestyle.

In my opinion, enjoying the outdoors is the essential way to enjoy a green summer lifestyle. Spending time outdoors isn’t just a frivolous activity. It’s actually good for your health. Research shows that people who spend at least 120 minutes in nature per week report better health and psychological well-being.

While it’s true that every season reveals nature’s beauty, summer’s sunny warmth is a particularly appealing invitation to head outdoors. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or go far to connect with nature.

Take a Hike, Near or Far

Take a hike in your local park or nature preserve. Not sure where to go? Consult the Hiking Project and All Trails directories for nationwide trails.

If you’d prefer to stay close to home, get up early to see the sunrise, or if you aren’t an early bird, try an after-dinner walk to enjoy the sunset.

Extend your time outdoors with a campout. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate affair – a simple overnight campout in your backyard can be an exciting experience, particularly for young children. If you’re new to it all, try an organized trip. There are several guided camping companies to choose from, including REI, Backroads, or OARS.

Protect Your Body (Naturally) When Outside

Don't forget to cover up when you're in the sun.
Don’t forget to cover up when you’re in the sun.

A green summer lifestyle is ideally one spent outdoors. As you head out the door remember to protect yourself from the elements – naturally, of course!

Natural Bug Repellents

With a little planning, you can repel pesky pests, like mosquitoes and ticks, without using toxic chemical repellents that harm both people and the environment. Try my tips, along with my natural product picks, for natural mosquito and natural tick repellents. You’ll be on your way to a healthy and safe summer without a lot of bug bites.

Natural Sunscreen

Prolonged exposure to the sun can be damaging to your skin and even cause cancer. Protect yourself from the sun in ways that are healthy for you and the environment. Read more in my recent post about sunscreen. It covers why eco friendly sunscreens are important, what to look for in sunscreen products, and my list of eco friendly sunscreen picks.

Remember, while sunscreen is important, it’s not the only line of defense against the sun’s harmful rays. Use it in conjunction with other methods of limiting sun exposure:

  • Covering up.
  • Avoiding the sun when UV exposure is greatest – between 10 am and 4 pm.
  • Wearing a hat and sunglasses.
  • Staying in the shade, when possible.

Work on Your Green Thumb

With all that time spent outside, it’s hard to know whether the surfaces we’re walking, rolling, and lying on are actually healthy and safe. You may not know what’s on your neighbor’s lawn, but you can definitely control what you put in your yard.

Whether your yard is large or small, a healthy yard, free of synthetic chemicals, is one that you and your family and friends can enjoy (safely!) all summer for a truly green summer lifestyle. (The birds and bees will also thank you for it!)

For a deep dive into natural lawn care remedies, see my posts on natural pesticides and natural fertilizers.

Related: 5 Healthy Yard Lessons for a Beautiful Yard

Be a Sustainable Traveler

Summer is a perfect time to leave the car at home and bike or walk to nearby destinations. You’ll get some exercise, enjoy the warm weather, and reduce your carbon footprint in the process. You’ll also save some money on gas bills!

For longer trips, instead of hopping on a plane, consider traveling by train or car. Another option is to vacation closer to home with a staycation.

If air travel is a must, try making the trip more carbon neutral by purchasing a carbon offset to lessen the greenhouse gas impact of your flight.

Reduce Disposable Waste

To make it a truly green summer lifestyle experience, reduce your waste at home and on the go.

The easiest way is to choose reusable products over single-use disposable options. So, for summer entertaining use reusable cutlery, plates, and cups.

When you’re out and about, remember your reusable shopping bag(s), bottle, and containers. Want a straw for your iced coffee or tea? Say no to plastic straws and choose reusable alternatives instead.

When you do generate waste, dispose of it responsibly and recycle right. My post on recycling myths will help you do that!

Related: Does Recycling Work? How to Tell and What You Can Do About It

Take the Time to Unwind to Inspire Creativity

What I love most about summer is the free time to just let my mind wander, whether it’s while walking through our local wildlife sanctuary or just sitting on my back porch. It’s a relief to completely disconnect from the myriad tech devices that distract and divert my attention.

What I’ve discovered while I’m vegging is that ideas and solutions to my (many) problems pop into my head. Apparently, our brains need to “meander” in order to recharge and spark new ideas.

What does all this mean for you and a green summer lifestyle? Well, while you’re relaxing on the beach or porch, take some time to let your mind wander. Who knows, you might be inspired to get creative and start a new (green) initiative … in the fall!

Related: 7 Ways to Inspire Others to Take Action With You
Share
Tweet
Share
Share
Related Topics
  • healthy yard
  • reduce waste
  • simple changes

Subscribe

Subscribe to my newsletter

You May Also Like
Where does your e-waste go?
View Post
  • Home
  • Taking Action
  • Your Carbon Footprint

Earth Calling: Humans, Fix Your E-Waste Problem!

  • February 23, 2021
  • Sara Goddard
The most eco-friendly form of snow removal? An old-fashioned shovel!
View Post
  • Garden
  • Home

Buried Under? 4 Ice and Snow Removal Tips That are Planet-Friendly

  • February 15, 2021
  • Sara Goddard
Compostables, like this compostable cup, are increasingly replacing disposable plastic products.
View Post
  • Home
  • Simple Changes

Are Compostables the Solution to Our Waste Problem?

  • January 29, 2021
  • Sara Goddard
One of the three greenwashing examples: recycling.
View Post
  • Home
  • Your Carbon Footprint

3 Surprising Greenwashing Examples You Should Know About

  • January 18, 2021
  • Sara Goddard
Find out what is greenwashing and how to avoid it.
View Post
  • Simple Changes
  • Food
  • Home
  • Office
  • Personal Care

What is Greenwashing? 5 Ways to Avoid it

  • January 12, 2021
  • Sara Goddard
Make it a green new year with these resolutions!
View Post
  • Food
  • Garden
  • Home
  • Personal Care
  • Simple Changes
  • Your Carbon Footprint

Make 2021 a Green New Year: 30 Easy and Effective New Year’s Resolution Ideas

  • December 22, 2020
  • Sara Goddard
What's a better gift than a book? A green book (with a reused ribbon)!
View Post
  • Home
  • Food
  • Garden

Green Book Gift Guide: The 10 Best Books to Give This Year

  • December 14, 2020
  • Sara Goddard
Green gifts for good protect our planet while delighting the giftee!
View Post
  • Simple Changes
  • Taking Action

9 Gifts for Good That Support Environmental Causes

  • November 30, 2020
  • Sara Goddard
About the Author

Sara Goddard

Green That Life is your guide for sustainable living. Its purpose is to provide practical tools, tips, and resources related to a variety of sustainability topics, including waste reduction, pollution prevention, food waste, environmental activism, and more.

Green That Life founder, Sara Goddard, is an environmental activist, sustainability adviser, and elected official. Sara’s mission through GTL is to provide original content that helps inform and inspire.

Sign up for my newsletter
Follow Green That Life
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
RSS
Featured Posts
  • Where does your e-waste go? 1
    Earth Calling: Humans, Fix Your E-Waste Problem!
  • The most eco-friendly form of snow removal? An old-fashioned shovel! 2
    Buried Under? 4 Ice and Snow Removal Tips That are Planet-Friendly
  • Compostables, like this compostable cup, are increasingly replacing disposable plastic products. 3
    Are Compostables the Solution to Our Waste Problem?
  • One of the three greenwashing examples: recycling. 4
    3 Surprising Greenwashing Examples You Should Know About
  • Find out what is greenwashing and how to avoid it. 5
    What is Greenwashing? 5 Ways to Avoid it
Archives
Categories
  • Food
  • Garden
  • Home
  • Office
  • Personal Care
  • Simple Changes
  • Taking Action
  • Your Carbon Footprint
Disclosure
When you buy a product or service through a link on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

Subscribe

Subscribe to my newsletter

Green That Life
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Simple Changes
  • Taking Action
  • Resources
  • About Sara
Your guide to a more sustainable lifestyle

Input your search keywords and press Enter.