Selecting food mindfully

Food is a big part of any festival, especially Diwali. We consume a lot of food, particularly sweets and snacks, because of the festivities. But we forget how food impacts everything. A lot of festival food is made of unhealthy ingredients that are high in fat and sugar. These things are also detrimental to the environment as they are sourced unethically. Try to make informed decisions and be more mindful about what we eat, where those ingredients are coming from, and how they get made.  

For example, choose healthy snacks like Natural ragi crackers or Natural roasted banana chips, or many other varieties of crackers instead of deep-fried chips. Try sweets made from natural ingredients like honey, organic sugar, or jaggery. These are much more sustainable for us and the environment.

Shopping responsibly and ethically made clothing

During festive seasons, we tend to buy new clothes and dress up for the occasion. Festive clothes are a huge part of Diwali celebrations. The clothing industry is one of the highest polluting industries and has a horrible impact on the environment. So, try to be more conscious of what is involved in the making of clothes. This kind of information enables us to choose things that are eco-friendly, ethically sourced, and free of harmful chemicals. It makes a huge impact and also prevents us from buying unnecessary things.

Also, try to choose clothing that is sustainable and has natural fibers. This promotes and encourages fair trade. These same things apply while shopping for shoes. Shoes can also be made using the same kind of principles of sustainability and being eco-friendly.

Gifts and Gratitude

Gifts are a big part of Diwali, unlike other Indian festivals. Most people tend to buy gifts without any conscious effort on their impact. Sweets are among the highly gifted things during the festival. Instead, try to buy healthy sweets that are made with good and healthy ingredients that are environmentally friendly. Dry fruits and nuts will also make excellent gifts instead of sweets, and they can be part of a nicely curated gift basket.

For other gifts, think of things that are made locally and support communities and women, like sustainable beauty products. Try to include items made with ethically sourced materials. Little effort into these things will not only make you feel good and also empower others. 

There are many things in the market that are hand-made, and buying them promotes the livelihood of entire communities and small businesses. They also promote fair trade. Being more conscientious about these things helps us to make decisions on where to spend our money. 

Bottom line

Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India that can be celebrated for 10 days. During these many days of festivities, we all want to be joyful, have fun, enjoy, and make the most of it. 

Make this year's Diwali a unique one that not only spreads joy and happiness but also enhances our values. We need to be responsible for our choices and their effects. 

Transform Diwali into a more eco-friendly festival by not using any fireworks. Make choices that are better for everyone. Let's try and focus more on a spiritual connection with ourselves that will enable us to be more responsible and accountable.