Is the one who has more money to buy more things happier or the one who is better organized with a lower budget? What kind of harmful behaviors can compulsive consumption lead us to and what problems can it cause in our health and well-being? The psychologist and holistic therapist answers all these questions Maribel Jimenez – better known as Aguamarina and author of the blog De mi casa al mundo- in this interview in which she also suggests ten tips to consume less and live better and in a more sustainable way.
What would be your ten tips to consume less and live better?These would be my most important tips:
1. Switch to the Zero Waste movement (0 waste)
That is, to minimize the waste that ends up being garbage at home. And garbage is understood to be everything that cannot be reused in any way, that cannot be composted (organic remains), or recycled, so it will necessarily end up in a landfill.
2. Say goodbye to throwaway
We use too many things to use and throw away without realizing it… For example, paper napkins. It is more than proven that much less water and resources are spent using cloth napkins than paper.
3. Reuse or recycle
Always reuse and, if not possible, then always recycle. Always recycle glass, paper, cardboard and plastic that cannot be reused in any way.
4. Say goodbye to plastic
For this, the most sensible thing is not to buy plastic containers, or as little as possible. Sometimes it is as simple as making a change of concept. For example, what would happen if we exchanged the bottle of bath gel for a bar of soap? Not only are there fewer grams of plastic that would end up in the world’s landfills, but we need less of it, as it lasts much longer, and the skin receives fewer chemicals.
5. Make good use of paper
Paper, like water, is a rare commodity and you have to get the most out of it. We can also switch to stone paper, a 100% biodegradable paper, which is made without water, without chlorine and with mineral remains from the tons of mine waste.
6. Return to the market
With the large commercial surfaces that import products from all over the world, we have lost sight of how important and ecological it is to consume products that are in season and from our area. Eating an apple from the US or China implies an amount of energy resources and pollution that is contradictory. In addition, by consuming seasonal products, we not only reduce the need to import from abroad, but we are eating healthier, since nature provides us with what our body needs in each season.
7. Organic and fair trade food, better
Betting on local products and buying in bulk we already do a lot to be more responsible consumers. The next step would be to opt for organic food, which is also called biological or organic (but refers to the same thing). They are healthier, they are produced with a high level of quality, they have more vitamins and nutrients, they are not genetically modified and they are respectful with the environment, nature and animals.
8. Cleaning products that are also ecological and non-toxic
For personal health and that of the planet, it is better to use ecological cleaning products at home.
9. Bet on a more sustainable wardrobe
The first premise that we should all keep in mind is that there is no more sustainable garment than the one that is already manufactured. And, if it is not possible, but we want to be responsible consumers, we should not buy a garment that we are not going to use at least 30 times.
10. Reduce energy consumption
We can consume a little less with small actions at home such as switching to LED or low-consumption light bulbs, not leaving appliances on stand-by, turning on only what we need…
With large stores we have lost sight of what is important and ecological: consuming seasonal products from our area
What demonstrates a behavior where it is always necessary to be buying or consuming something?Many times it comes from an attempt to fill an emotional void or seek immediate gratification because we mistake the fleeting sensation of pleasure and satisfaction that products promise us with happiness.
In addition, without realizing it, we grow conditioned by a pattern of consumer behavior that is continuously reinforced by the influence of advertising and social networks.
In some cases, an addiction to consumption is developed, which is called compulsive buying syndrome, which can have negative consequences for health, the economy or personal relationships.
Many times we confuse the ephemeral sensation of pleasure that products promise us with happiness.
What symptoms can alert us that we have a problem with the
consumerism?We can suspect that we have a consumerism problem when:
– We buy things we don’t need and, for example, end up in the closet with the label on and we never get to use them.
– We get into debt and have financial problems for spending more than we can afford.
– We feel anxiety or stress when we cannot buy something we want.
– We buy things just to make us feel better emotionally, instead of addressing the real causes of our discomfort.
– Consumption interferes with our personal or even work relationships, often due to excessive time spent on purchases.
It is important to bear in mind that these signs do not necessarily indicate that there is an addiction to consumption, but if there is an affectation in terms of our relationships, our economy and our quality of life that significantly interferes, it is advisable to seek help to learn to balance our consumption habits, so that they are healthier and heal the psycho-emotional background that they are hiding.
We have a problem when consumption interferes with our personal or even work relationships.
What harmful behaviors can this frequent and/or unnecessary consumerism drag us into and how can it affect our physical and mental health?Pathological consumerism can lead to problems of anxiety, irritability, discomfort and emotional dependence. In addition, as occurs in other addictions, after the addictive behavior, the person tends to feel guilty, which affects their self-esteem and their level of anxiety. Then there are the added problems of debt, the excessive time spent planning purchases and buying, and also how interpersonal relationships are affected by all that this entails.
Money can give us a sense of security, but how we use money can be more important than how much
Is the one who has the most money happier or the one who makes the most of it?Money itself is not a determining factor in happiness, since happiness depends on multiple factors, such as emotional and physical well-being, interpersonal relationships, job satisfaction, and other variables.
Having money can give us a sense of security and a certain status, but the truth is that how we use money can be more important than how much we have. People who make better use of their money and use it consciously and sustainably, who invest in meaningful experiences and interpersonal relationships, are happier than those who simply accumulate money and material goods.
In addition, happiness is closely related to the ability to find purpose and meaning in life and to live according to our values and priorities. Therefore, although money can be useful for certain things, it does not necessarily guarantee happiness or achieve self-actualization or a fulfilling life.
