I try my best to have a sustainable lifestyle as a business student

May is mental health month, and it is a good opportunity to slow down and take a pause in our lives. Feeling good is about taking care of ourselves… and our planet! In fact, conscious living is an important step in a sustainability journey according to Sophie Nordenhed, who shares how she incorporates this concept in her days.

To me is both about social and environmental impact

Sophie 27, is finishing her Business and Management degree at UVA Amsterdam and she’s also the chair of Enactus UVA, an international non-profit organization based in Amsterdam, that brings together students, higher education and business leaders.

“We work with entrepreneurs’ actions to make a social and sustainable impact. We follow the sustainable development goals (SDG’s) of the United Nations to make the world a better place.”

“I love being part of that project, talking about conscious living, health and sustainability.”

How about a different way of storing lemon in the fridge?

“As a student, I spends a good part of the day carrying out lessons, writing my thesis and working on the Enactus project, but without forgetting to take care of myself, do things that make me feel good and start the day at best.”

“I love to start the morning with cleanse, gratitude and positive affirmations. Then making breakfast and lastly, doing a 20-40 min morning run”.

One of the first things she does every morning is drink a cup of lemon water, “it helps flush out toxins, simulates digestion, reduces stress and boosts the immune system. Also may help clearing skin, bad morning breath and managing weight.”

“I also have a super tip for you: instead of wrapping the rest of the lemon in plastic, take a cup of water and put the lemon in it then put it in the fridge. It also works great for other fruits!”

She tries to drink at least 2l of water per day and always has with her a graduated bottle to keep track of how much she drinks.

“I also add 2 tablespoons of chlorophyll to my water. It’s anti-inflammatory so it helps boost my immune system and promotes healthy skin, hair and nails. I also take some supplements to help my body stay healthy”

Feeling good in my body and mind

“Before actually starting the day, I likes to put my thoughts down on paper. In fact journaling can help manage anxiety, reduce stress or cope with depression.”

“I learned that journaling can also help control and improve your mood by helping you prioritize problems, fears and concerns. It’s important to track any symptoms day-to-day so that you can recognize triggers and learn ways to better control them. It also helps to provide an opportunity for positive self-talk and to identify negative thoughts and behaviors.”

“Late in the morning I go off for a run. For a long time, going to the gym was my therapy, but since gyms are closed in the NL, I do a lot of running instead.”

“For me it’s a great way to get out of the apartment, stress down, connect with nature, connect with people in the community and it can be very meditating. I love to find somewhere in nature to run for at least 20 minutes because that’s when you feel the endorphins really releasing your body – I also challenge you to go for a run and smile at other runners: it will boost your mood and theirs!”

“It’s important to be kind to yourself and the world around us”. For Sophie, living in the now, focusing on things that bring joy is extremely important.

The double C

“Making a difference between what I want and what I need is important, also when it comes to buying things. That’s why I live by the double C: conscious consumption”.

Overconsumption is often a result of irrational, emotional decisions and purchases, when in reality what we need to be content are things that most of the time cannot be bought: friendship, love, health and safety.

“Slow down, live minute by minute, hour by hour. Declutter. Fuel your body with food from the earth, cherish your relationships, stay happy and healthy.” For Sophie, these are the important things in life that will make you feel like your best self.

To #SlowItDown: some slow fashion & small businesses selection