This Christmas I didn’t go home to Italy. This Christmas I am in Cuba.
Many have asked me why Cuba.
For many years I wanted to visit Cuba and finally I decided to book the flight, organize a small tour with a local agency and then finish the holiday in a hotel on a beach, that looks like the photo you see above.
I have been travelling alone with my son, my husband did not feel like coming with us. It’s a pity, this makes me a little sad, because Christmas is meant to be with the family.
But this Christmas is different. After two years of Covid, now there is war in Europe, we must save on energy, our homes and offices are all rather cold.
So, I said to myself:
Carpe diem. Life is short, sometimes it is also difficult, my son will be finishing his master, I received a promotion at work, this year is the right time that we will go to Cuba.
Considering the temperatures there are here in Brussels (but in Bologna it would not be better), I decide to go to get some sun on a beautiful Caribbean island rich in history, and an outpost of communism in the American continent.
That Cuba is the outpost of communism in America has not benefited them much nor does it continue to benefit them. In fact, the island has been under an embargo since the sixties precisely because of this, because they are communists. Life on the island is difficult, many things are missing. My guide told me that what for us is normal here for them is a luxury. Unfortunately, medicines are also not easily found. So, this Christmas, instead of making the usual donation to an association that wants to protect human rights or the environment, I decided to show my solidarity with the Cuban people by going to visit their island.
Wherever you are right now, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year
There are a lot of ways to incorporate responsible actions into your daily life. Climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges the human kind has to face. More and more people are trying to live responsibly and are also becoming aware that even small changes can have a positive impact on the future of our planet.
Time for change has come. Drastically changing your habits and sticking to them may be difficult. To help you get started, I have come up with 10 eco-responsible actions that you could easily apply daily.
1. Choose where to buy your clothes
Today, unfortunately, many fashion items are still produced in factories with deplorable working conditions. Before buying your clothes, do some research and choose brands that sell ethically produced clothing.
2. Refill, reduce, reuse
Choosing sustainability does not mean any longer being able to enjoy moments of well-being. It is simply a matter of integrating these moments into your daily life in a sustainable and meaningful way. Buy refills for a large number of products, such as face creams or liquid soaps, so you can continue to take care of yourself and enjoy moments of well-being by helping to reduce unnecessary waste.
Use skincare and home care products that can be refilled, and while it may seem obvious, only buy the products you use. Be sure to finish them before buying new ones. When considering buying a refill, take a look at the figures that show the impact reductions. They will tell you the efforts you are making by using them.
3. Switch to a bike
Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by cars contribute to global warming. If you work far away from your home, taking the bike every morning may seem difficult. If you can’t ride all along the way, why do not you ride at least to the bus, subway or train station? There are only benefits: let the planet breathe for a few moments, save some money and keep you fit.
4. Eat less meat and sugar
According to scientists, the most effective way to protect the future of our planet is to adopt a vegetable-based diet on a more regular basis and limit sugar intake. The food industry consumes a lot of energy. By consuming seasonal, vegetable-based and, ideally, locally produced foods, you too can act for the planet. Vegan and vegetarian foods can be incredibly tasty. You can try shopping at your local grocer instead of at the supermarket. Maybe there’s a farm near you, or even a local vegetable garden where your neighbours grow and sell fruits and vegetables? Or you could grow your own vegetables and fruits!
5. Travel with discernment
Because of the pandemic, in 2020 many of us travelled less than in previous years. Now that “normal” life resumes, you can try to limit unnecessary air travel as much as possible. Turn your next trip abroad into a holiday at home or consider another means of transport, such as the train or bicycle. Think of travel as part of your vacation. Don’t just focus on the destination. Why do not you go on holiday by train reading a good book?
When you think of green energy, the first things that come to mind are electric cars and solar panels. Actually, you might invest in these solutions, but it’s not always possible. A very simple way to provide sustainable energy to your home can be to opt for a green energy supplier. These companies offer gas or electricity in the same way as traditional companies, but in a more environmental friendly way thanks to energy from renewable sources, such as wind, sun or water.
7. Borrow instead of buying
Opt for sharing, lending or borrowing rather than buying items. Borrow your neighbour’s drill, temporarily refresh your wardrobe with clothes rental (perfect for fast fashion or special occasions), and swap books with friends (or look for books in book-crossing points).
8. Optimize daily commutes
Because of the pandemic, many of us don’t take public transport any longer. If you’re driving to work or planning a day trip, why do not you suggest your colleagues or friends to go together?
Did you know that your tire pressure has an impact on your car’s carbon emissions? Deflated tires need to be replaced more often and consume more fuel. You can check them also at gas stations.
9. Take smart showers
In the bathroom, the greatest impact on the environment does not come from care products, but from the energy used to heat the shower water. This accounts for about 77% of the impact, as the water is often heated with gas. According to research, skincare products account for only 5% of the impact of your overall environmental footprint. Consider buying an inexpensive water-saving shower head. You will save a lot of water and taking a shower will be the same.
10. Think outside of the box
Small actions add up and if you experiment with creative solutions, your mindset will also change for the better. For example, your gift boxes can be reused to store small souvenirs, jewellery, letters or photos.
In this period of mobility restrictions caused by the pandemic, the time when we could travel freely seems a long ago. Last year for Easter, I had planned a trip to Berlin and I would not have expected to cancel it. This year too, I would have liked to leave for the Easter break, but the virus is still among us and it is better to stay where we are.
Covid has changed many aspects of our life and going on vacation is one of them. It is obvious that going on vacation is very important for physical and mental health. You should think about taking rest periods even without being able to travel.
When we work we look forward to the weekend but it is not long enough to fully recharge ourselves. To be able to really disconnect from work we need more time.
Holidays are a period of time that we need, we need it as well as sleep, eat, drink, in short, they are a necessity. If we want to stay healthy, we have to take vacations.
Waiting for the pandemic to pass and then taking a long vacation is not a good idea. It is better to take shorter vacations but more often.
Of course, we cannot travel now, it is strongly discouraged, but this does not mean that a period of rest at home or close to your place, depending on what you can do in the country where you live, will do some good. Holidays allow us to recover and when we come back, we often feel better, full of energy and even more creative.
Photo by Wee Lee on Unsplash
It does not matter where you go on vacation. The main thing is that you can rest and put aside your daily worries. Choose what to do, with whom and when to do it. Not everyone likes travelling. Some like to have time to read more, do more physical activity, spend time outdoors. Others like to take small hikes, without straying too far from home. Some people enjoy long trips, some other like only short ones.
With the health crisis, many of us had their vacations at home. Let us see the positive aspects of it: definitely less pollution, you saved some money and also the stress of travelling.
However, there are people who do not like being at home. They do not know what to do, they get bored, they do not want to tidy up the house (but for this one could call someone to help), and the children (when they are there) need care and attention. They have to think about many things, as if they were working. On the other hand, they may simply want to change air and get to know new places, or return to places they have loved before.
If, however, you are forced to stay at home due to travel restrictions, take some days off and try to take advantage of your free time anyway, as doing so will make you feel better. Moreover, think that the pandemic will be hopefully over soon.
If you find yourself in the position of having to stay at home during your holidays, try these tips:
1. Don’t read professional emails;
2. Do little housework;
3. Establish rules and times for being at the computer or television (both for you and your children, if you have any);
4. Look for new places to discover in your neighbourhood;
5. Spend time in nature because nature is a source of energy;
6. Make a list of what you would normally do on vacation, eliminating the things you cannot do due to anti-Covid rules. For example, in Belgium, where I live, you can ride a bike, but you cannot go to a restaurant;
7. Organize a movie marathon with friends and discuss with them to find out which ones you all liked the most;
8. You can do the same thing with a book. Choose with your friends a book you all would like to read. When finished, you gather together (on-line if not possible a real gathering together) to comment on it;
9. Why do not you sign up for an online course to learn new things? There are many possibilities even for free!
10. Indulge yourself with little vices: buy some chocolate (soon it will be Easter, the best moment to buy it), a good bottle of wine, or have a three-course meal delivered.
Crisbie Coach 