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5 Tips on How to be Sustainable with your Clothes on Holiday

Whether you’re planning a little getaway, a longer holiday, or a daring adventure, it’s easy to be tempted by trends and new travel clothes that you probably don’t really need.Advertisers promote the idea that we need to have new outfits for each holiday to look different in every photo. So, many people see their travel clothes as separate from their usual wardrobe and before a holiday, they buy brand new clothes they’re only going to wear once or won’t wear at all.

5 simple tips on being sustainable with your holiday clothes while looking and feeling fabulous.

1. ‘Shop’ your holiday clothes in your wardrobe

We’re not saying you won’t ever need to buy new holiday clothes again, but do resist that initial temptation, we bet your wardrobe is filled with forgotten favourites, versatile gems, and garments that would be perfect for a sunset in Kenya or a stroll around Cape Town’s beaches. So, take everything out your wardrobe and go through it with that mind-set.

1. Master the trick of creating several outfits with the same holiday clothes

When looking for the right holiday clothes in your existing wardrobe, focus on:

  • Versatile garments – Basics, neutrals, and monochrome pieces are easy to pair up with multiple clothes. for example, a white t-shirt can go with shorts, a skirt, long trousers, jeans, and even underneath a spaghetti strap dress
  • Strategic statement pieces – Rather than bringing multiple clashing ones, consider having a couple of attention-grabbing items like patterned or particularly colourful garments that go well with multiple basics. Take a colourful skirt and a bright pair of shorts, and combine them with different monochrome tops in simple designs, but you might want to do the opposite
  • Multi-purpose items – You don’t always need to have different garments for different occasions! For example, the right dress can be worn when sightseeing during the daytime and for a romantic dinner under those foreign skies
  • Layers and accessories – These can also give a completely different vibe to the same items
  • Thinking beyond one specific trip – Try to ignore the hottest trends and throwaway pieces promoted by fast fashion. Instead, invest in items you can see yourself wearing for multiple holidays or even better, throughout the rest of the year, too
  • Keeping your existing wardrobe in mind – When purchasing new holiday clothes, look for pieces that go well with some of your usual outfits. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with something that looks good on its own but doesn’t go with much else and will just gather dust at the back of your wardrobe
  • Choosing sustainable holiday clothes – Instead of buying lots of fast fashion clothes that were designed to fall apart after a few wears, invest in fewer and higher-quality staples, made ethically and to last.

4. Think before buying technical outwear and sports gear

Your usual clothes will be just as perfect for most holidays. But what about ski trips, camping, trekking, or other adventures in the wilderness?

On top of the usual waste, technical clothes often involve petroleum-derived synthetic fabrics and harsh chemicals to make them waterproof. So, if you’re only planning on wearing them once, that’d be bad news for the environment.

You could consider investing in high-quality outerwear and gear that’ll last you for years to come. The best choice, if you’re already planning your next adventure or if you tend to go on ski trips every year, choose durable items made by sustainable brands.

5. Don’t forget about your impulse purchase on holiday.

The one last tip we want to share is for you to keep in mind when you’re away. Before buying any clothes on holiday, ask yourself, do I really want or need this? And, will I wear it a good few times once I get home?

  • Avoid tacky souvenir t-shirts you’re not going to wear again.
  • If you do buy something, consider supporting locals and choosing clothing or jewellery that was hand-made or produced in that area, you’ll cut out the middle man, reduce additional transport emissions, and support the community.

Remember, the most sustainable travel clothes are already in your wardrobe, and if you do need to buy new ones, think beyondone trip.

Tell us, in the comments your opinions and/or experiences about home fitness work-outs!

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7 Benefits of Sustainable Tourism and How to Travel Conscientiously.

With green tourism on the rise, we’re sure you’ve heard of sustainable travel! It’s always enjoyable to travel, but there’s unfortunately a chance that it can cause harm to some environments and the places you’re visiting. Although many travellers have good intentions when they travel, not all make well-informed decisions based on their destination’s best interests.

To travel more responsibly, let’s have a look at the benefits of eco-tourism and how to make a difference. We’ll chat about what sustainable tourism is, its benefits to you, local communities, and the environment, so you can make an informed decision about your next trip!

‘…how to make a difference…’

What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism is to travel with the purpose of building a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy. It involves minimizing negative impact on the places you visit, and rewarding the overall development and conservation of travel destinations by protecting the environment and the prosperity of the people who depend on it.

‘…protecting the environment…‘

Is tourism actually sustainable?

There are many ways to travel responsibly, however tourism will never be completely sustainable. Every industry has its own impact, and tourism isn’t different. As a traveller, you can help make the tourism industry shift towards sustainability, mindful choices ensure environment and local communities can flourish. Whether you’re planning a trip to South Africa, England, or Thailand, there’s many ways to make your travel more sustainable. By practicing eco-friendly, responsible travel and understanding the benefits of sustainable tourism, you can help leave a positive impact. Green tourism has an impact on the places you visit, let’s take a look at some of the amazing benefits of ecotourism.

‘…many ways to make travel more sustainable…’

1. Ecotourism has a lower ecological impact

Everything you do while on vacation has an impact on your ecological footprint; how you get there, where you stay, what activities you do, and what you eat. The goal of green tourism is to minimize this. To travel is to relax, but there’s lots of easy ways to protect the environment during a trip. Simply eating local produce and food from a local business already makes a huge difference. Imported food, whether across the nation or the ocean, comes at a huge cost – economically and environmentally. Plus, part of the experience of traveling to new places is learning about the culture through food! Not only does local food allow you to save a lot of emission, it also introduces you to new flavours you might end up falling in love with.

‘…eating local produce makes a hige difference …’

2. Ecotourism allows wildlife to stay wild

Preserving wildlife is a major part of responsible tourism. In many destinations, animals are used to attract tourists, but are not necessarily treated well. While riding elephants or swimming with pink dolphins, it’s not always good for the animals. Elephants suffer from pain and early deaths, dolphins are attracted by frozen fish supplied by tourism providers, and then tourists ride, restrain and even lift them out of the water. All of this is done for tourist’s to have a photo opportunity. If the demand for this kind of entertainment diminishes, wildlife is able to stay wild and it will empower local communities to work in sustainable travel jobs, protect wildlife, and engage in green tourism, rather than resort to exploitation.

‘…wildlife is able to stay wild…’

3. Responsible Tourism Keeps the Environsment Clean

While relaxing at resorts, some travellers neglect keeping the environment clean, this can lead to excessive waste, from plastic pollution on beaches to high demand on energy in hotels. Green tourism starts at home, ask your travel agent about red flags like garbage or wastewater when researching accommodation. Ask about single-use plastic shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel bottles or the plastic laundry bags for washing guests’ clothes and linen. Ask them about waste reduction, are their bathrooms and kitchens equipped with refillable containers? Do they have recycling bins or a compost for food waste? Are they using low-flow showers or water-efficient appliances? Is there a system set up for conserving energy? Opt for sustainable travel destinations, rather than overcrowded places suffering from the negative impact of mass tourism.

‘… opt for sustainable travel destinations…’

4. Ecotourism Supports and Empowers Local Communities

By supporting local communities, you get a unique chance to immerse yourself in local culture. Staying in locally owned accommodation gives you the opportunity to directly stimulate the local economy and connect with locals on a personal level.

You also get a similar experience with reputable local tour operators. The money you spend employs locals in sustainable travel jobs, and goes to the pockets of people involved in making your holiday memorable. Eating in local restaurants guarantees your food is healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced, because ingredients are grown or bought locally. Shopping local products and souvenirs allows you to buy items you might not find anywhere else, and your money goes to local artisans.

‘…unique chance to immerse yourself in local culture…’

5. Ecotourism Preserves Cultural Heritage

When done responsibly, tourism can provide insightful and educational experiences to visitors and encourage locals to share their cultural heritage. This once-in-a-lifetime experience you can only gain from trips focused on the rich cultural tapestries of the places that you visit. Locals will embrace their heritage and view it as something to be proud of and worth preserving, enabling them to develop sustainable travel destinations.

‘…once-in-a-lifetime experience…’

6. Ecotourism gives you a more meaningful experience

If you choose to stay with the nomadic Bedouins on a trip, you’ll get a glimpse of the traditional desert-dweller lifestyle. You’ll have a chance to see where they live, listen to their music and poetry, and experience their amazing hospitality.

Engaging in green tourism broadens your horizons and allows you to walk away with not just an impression of the beauty of the places you visit but also a deeper and more meaningful connection with the communities you meet.

‘…deeper and more meaningful connection…’

7. Ecotourism makes you a more conscious traveller

One of the biggest benefits of sustainable tourism is becoming more responsible with your choices. That can mean choosing greener transportation to get to your destination and/or staying in eco-conscious accommodations.

You may even find out there are locations you shouldn’t visit, if you want to keep them sustainable. Some tiny islands can’t sustain many tourists, and some communities are not able to deal with a huge number of people due to infrastructure.

‘…tiny islands can’t sustain many tourists…’

Do what you can, and be proud of it

Sustainable tourism is not always black and white – there are many shades of grey in between. Likewise, there is no such thing as being 100% sustainable when you travel. That’s why it’s good to keep in mind not to aim for perfection. Rather, do what you can to travel responsibly. Remember that cumulative choices from members of the travel community are what pave the way towards responsible tourism. Together, we can definitely make travel more sustainable!

‘…do what you can to travel responsibly…’

Tell us, in the comments what you think about practicing mindfulness during journeys!

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Mindful Travel Nurtures Mental Health and Enriches Well-being.

The continuous bombardment of distractions can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves. Fortunately Mindful Travel is a remedy that nurtures mental health and also enriches overall well-being. Research shows that natural environments have a deep impact on mental well-being. Immersing oneself in nature can effectively alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. We take a look at the potential benefits of travel and the pressures of modern-day life by probing into the practice of mindfulness during journeys as a powerful stimulant to improve mental health.

‘…alleviate stress, anxiety and depression…’

Mindful Travel Reduces Stress

Travel reduces stress levels and contributes to overall well-being, with a remarkable decrease in stress among travellers. Mindful travellers consciously limit their digital distractions, aligning with the stress-reduction benefits of travel. By disconnecting from screens, travellers reconnect with themselves and their surroundings, fostering tranquillity and inner peace. Mindful travel encourages us to engage all our senses to enhance our creativity.

‘…fostering tranquillity and inner peace…’’

Mindful Travel Builds Connections with Locals

Savouring local cuisine, listening to the soothing sounds of nature, feeling the textures of a new environment and inhaling the scents of the surroundings create a rich sensory experience that promotes mindfulness. Building genuine connections with local people aligns with the concept of improved mental health through travel. Engaging in conversations and learning about different ways of life is deeply enlightening, providing a sense of fulfilment and a broader perspective.

‘…a rich sensory experience…’

Mindful Travel Improves Problem Solving Skills

Travel stimulates the brain and enhances creativity. Exposure to new cultures, foods, and experiences leads to improved problem-solving skills and a broader perspective on life. Mindful traveling, exemplified by serene destinations fosters mental strength by igniting introspection and emotional equilibrium. As one explores rolling landscapes, the harmonious natural beauty and cultural diversity encourages resilience, enabling individuals to confront and cope with stress more effectively. Wandering through the rich tapestry of heritage enhances mental resilience and adopts a deep connection with history and a refreshed mind capable of withstanding life’s challenges.

‘…serene destinations fosters mental strength…’

Mindful Travel is a Journey of Self-discovery and Mental Rejuvenation

Mindful travel is not merely a form of recreation; it’s a powerful answer to the stresses of everyday life. Industry data highlights the profound impact of travel on stress reduction, creativity, and mental well-being. By incorporating the principles of mindful travel, disconnecting from digital distractions, engaging the senses, and building cultural connections we embark on journeys of self-discovery and mental rejuvenation.

‘…a powerful answer…’

When planning your next journey, remember that the true beauty of travel lies not only in the destinations we reach but also in the mindfulness with which we embrace the journey. Travel offers the perfect canvas for those seeking peace, tranquillity, and serenity. Mindful Travel, supported by industry-backed benefits, can be the answer for bolstering mental health and well-being in our modern world.

Tell us, in the comments what you think about practicing mindfulness during journeys!

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