The whole world lacks resources! Right now, as we speak, the world is running out of natural wealth. Employers look for talented human resources, and every morning people seek for energy to live another day. Some need stability for happiness, and others need constant growth and movement. To achieve both, we need the resources – financial and temporal, emotional, and informational. Where to look for resources and how to save them are the most popular topics for discussion. Let us consider sport as a unique source of opportunities both for the individual and the whole planet.
The problem of the shortage of natural resources lies in the lack of oil, gas, minerals, fresh water, and biological sources of food on our planet. To save resources and avoid environmental catastrophes, people need to consume less (Bothun, 2018). Thus, the main contribution of each of us is to reduce consumption. The root of all evils is constant shopping, eating lots of food, transport that pollutes the ecosystem. Endless consuming, home decor, cars, gadgets – the civilized world has brought us to the cult of shopping. Reducing consumption is a task that demands a lot of effort.
The issue is not just the passion for buying something, but the human desire to continually change and seek happiness. What are the first associations that come to mind when thinking about a change? Want something new in your life – change your hairstyle, update your wardrobe, apply red lipstick, go to the vacation. Motivational books and speakers advise: if you want a better life, change what you wear, where you go, where you live, who you talk to. We admire minimalism, periodically throw away junk, and promise to be free from things. After a while, unnecessary things appear in our homes again. As a result, consumption rates are significantly increasing every day.
You will not believe it, but sports can be the same alternative to mass consumption. When we start a workout, we shift our attention from the things around to our inner world (Siefken et al., 2019). By making sports your way of life, you will make your body fit, and it will enough to wear a simple white T-shirt with shorts to look and feel confident. The sense of finding the right combination of things to hide the flaws visually is lost. You can follow the chain of events – you work out, you look better, you spend less on decorating. If you are riding a bicycle, you are reducing the consumption of oil.
In this way, when we include sports, we get a high energy charge, and then in other spheres of life, we do with greater efficiency. We become calm, more confident, healthier, and more motivated (Graydon, 2016). It is how we manage our time because it is an opportunity to be alone, to think, and to make meaningful plans. Moreover, this is how we save the planet! Thanks!
References
- Bothun, G. D. (2018). Earth systems thinking: Global consumerism, climate change, and the spiritual value of the Earth. Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, 7(3), 35-59.
- Graydon, J. (2016). Self-esteem in physical education and sport. Researching Women and Sport, 68-80.
- Siefken, K., Junge, A., & Laemmle, L. (2019). How does sport affect mental health? An investigation into the relationship of leisure-time physical activity with depression and anxiety. Human Movement, 20(1), 62-74.