Reading has many health benefits, backed by scientific research. It can reduce stress by up to 68%, improve your memory, help you get to sleep and even increase intelligence levels. A 2014 study in the Child Development Journal concluded that 7 year olds with strong reading skills achieved higher IQ scores than weak readers.
Personally I believe that a good book is one of the best tools to learn about a topic of interest, within reach of anyone. At the end of the day a subject matter expert makes an effort to consolidate their knowledge in a book. That’s really amazing don’t you think?
I’ve recently read several books about sustainable living that I’d like to share with you. They improved me and inspired me to live each day a little more sustainably. I’m sure they will inspire you too. If you do read them, or have perhaps done so already I’d love to hear about the changes you made or the ideas that resonated most with you.
5 books to lead a more sustainable life
1. Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson
Without doubt this is the book that really made the penny drop, leading us to take our first steps to living a life of less waste at home.
Bea Johnson is considered the mother of the zero waste movement. She was born in France but has been living in the US for many years. She shares her own experiences on her journey to a life without waste and how this lifestyle will make your happier. This is based on the pyramid of “The 5 Rs of Zero Waste” which are applied in the following order: Reject, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle and Rot.
An entertaining book that’s really easy to read. At the same time it’s a really helpful guide that you can dig into to tackle your house by zones, or refer to for certain moments like birthday parties or vacations.
2.The little book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
They say that Denmark is the happiest country in the world. A lot of this is down to hygge. The word doesn’t have an exact translation to English but it seems to be the Danish secret for a happier life. I include it in this post because, in my opinion, hygge is focuses on the simple things in life. Simple, sustainable and in harmony with nature.
Each chapter covers a particular aspect of hygginess: light, clothing, food and beverages, the home…From choosing the right light and organizing a dinner party with friends to recipes and DIY tips. This is an essential manual packed with useful advice and ideas to help you become more hygge. Discover the secret to greater happiness!
3. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
By now you’ve probably heard of Marie Kondo, the Japanese guru of decluttering and organizing. She even has her own show on Netflix! One of the fundamental principles of living a more sustainable life is to reduce. That’s why I recommend this book. Marie Kondo shows you practical techniques to minimize the number of material objects in your home.
4. Zero Waste: Simple Life Hacks to Drastically Reduce Your Trash by Shia Su
In this friendly book for beginners Shia provides practical, fun and cool ways to reduce your waste. She explains:
- How to put together a basic zero-waste kit
- How to tackle each zone of the house from the kitchen to the bathroom
- Hacks to make your own household cleaners and even toiletries like toothpaste!
5. 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg
It’s not about perfection but about choices explains Kathryn. This is a really handy, non-judgmental guide that you can pick up anywhere. Although it is aimed at beginners I found a bunch of great tips and new ways to go about my waste reduction. Grouped into handy sections like Home, Work & School, Travel & Transportation and Special Events it really covers all aspects of your life.
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