This past summer I did something that I have always dreamed of...I traveled to Europe with a friend, and I swear that I am forever changed. The way of life over there is so different from life in the states in so many ways. My favorite country that I visited was Sweeden. Not only is it very modern and clean, but it is extremely environmentally conscious. They have recycling programs that put ours to shame. There is no smog, no pollution in the air, and very little trash on the side of the road. Sweeden is known to many as being advanced in their effort to "go green" and also their great social programs. Rumor has it, that when a family has a new baby, the woman is supposed to take at least 6 months off from her job to relax and settle into motherhood. It is also encouraged for one parent to stay home with the baby, with the financial support of the government! This got me thinking (and I may be being way to analytical here) but, when people are more relaxed in life, offered more support, won't they be more inclined to live healthier lives? Think about it. There are probably two factors in life that I would safely say are universal to human happiness; health and family. If you are content with your family and your home-life, you are more apt to be happy. If you are happy, you are (arguably) healthier. If you are happy and healthy and feeling at ease with the world, then maybe you will treat the world good. So that is my theory. Sometimes a different perspective is all that you need to make a big change, and I believe that my new "green" apartment will be a small step in the direction I want to take toward living a healthier more relaxed life.
