Happy New Year!
We are a few days into 2020 and you are probably focused on your New Year’s Resolutions. Let me guess. Do they have something to do with becoming more healthy? Well, that’s a common one, and of course a good one.
Will you make it this year? Keep it up I mean? Or are you already bailing on your fitness centre and gobbling down cookies just in protest? Not yet, ok, that’s super and to keep you motivated – actually more like keep you from wanting to go back - I have an excellent suggestion for you.
Combine your resolution with a more significant cause or purpose behind it.
As humans, we are wired to be compassionate (I know, hard to believe sometimes). And by doing something for someone else, or knowing that our actions have a high impact, we get to feel happy and proud. That feeling motivates us to keep going.
Our planet
Last year, I don’t think any of us missed the fact that our planet is not in such good shape. Greta Thunberg made that very clear, and she is fighting hard to make politicians take responsibility.
Here to some good news. We can, all of us individually, also do a lot to help save the planet and the environment, every single day.
In the most extensive study of its kind, researchers at the University of Oxford concluded that:
“A vegan diet is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth, not just greenhouse gases, but global acidification, eutrophication, land use and water use. It is far bigger than cutting down on your flights or buying an electric car, as these only cut greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture is a sector that spans all the multitude of environmental problems, really it is animal products that are responsible for so much of this. Avoiding consumption of animal products delivers far better environmental benefits than trying to purchase sustainable meat and dairy.”
Go and readthis article about the study from the Guardian, to get more informed without having to read the entire research study.
This is brilliant news! We have the ability to make a difference for our planet at our fingertips! Three times a day, we have a choice , to eat the most healthy and super delicious food; whole plant-based food AND help save the environment at the same time!
So how will we do it?
Yes, starting or learning something new can be challenging. But it can also be a bunch of fun. As humans, we naturally seek learning and developing. That’s why e-courses and classes are such a huge market! We want to learn things. When we can’t figure something out, we ask our friend Google who can give us help or answers for almost anything.
But, I have another idéa, which will make your new resolution of eating plant-based food much easier. It’s a fun online event called the Veganuary Challenge which will support you throughout January. Oops, it has already started, but no worries you can still jump in and do it at your own pace. Here you go:
Veganuary in Switzerland in German
Veganuary international in English
Veganuary has everything you’ll need to make the transition to veganism painless. There’s advice on eating out, learning how to stock your cupboards, and mouth-watering recipes that will make you wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.
Back to your resolutions
By measuring hormones and brain activity, researchers have discovered that being helpful to others delivers immense pleasure. Human beings are hard-wired to give to others. The more we give, the happier we feel.
By going plant-based or at least reducing the consumption of animal products, you are doing so much good for yourself and the planet with all its inhabitants, which will give you a natural sense of accomplishment and pride.
This is – in my opinion – the best motivator you can have for your New Year Resolution or actually your new habit.
Have fun in Veganuary!
PS Greta is a Vegan girl 😃
