You don’t always need to make radical changes to make your journey more sustainable. Micro habits are small, easy-to-implement changes that can be incorporated into your travel with little effort and have a significant long-term impact. IMAGE: ©Anibal Trejo | Stock.Adobe.com (Innsbruck)

What are micro habits?

Micro habits are small, recurring actions that happen almost automatically and require very little energy. Examples include how you brush your teeth or which pocket you put your mobile phone in. Because they are so straightforward, they are easier to maintain than big resolutions — and easier to change, too. This applies to both your everyday life and your travels.

Five micro habits for more sustainable travel

Turn off lights and electrical appliances: This tip might sound like something my father would say 😀 But, unfortunately, he’s right. It’s really easy to do and can save a lot of energy in the long run!

Turn off the water: It’s best not to leave the water running unnecessarily when brushing your teeth, washing your hands or soaping up in the shower. This tip is particularly important when travelling in areas experiencing water shortages.

Reuse towels: Washing towels uses energy, water and chemicals, so doing so daily is anything but environmentally friendly. Nowadays, it is generally accepted that only towels that have been thrown on the floor are washed. However, sometimes this is completely ignored. To ensure everyone understands, my tip is to hang the towels neatly back on the hooks (just as you found them).

Pack a small cloth or shopping bag: Whether you’re going on a quick shopping trip, picking up a souvenir, or going on a shopping spree (preferably second-hand), having a small cloth bag in your pocket or bag is always useful. Plus, it has the potential to save a lot of plastic.

Walk short distances: it’s good for the environment, easy to do, allows you to see your destination with fresh eyes and often leads you to places off the beaten track. It’s simply perfect!

Do you have any micro-habits that help you travel more sustainably? Feel free to share them in the comments!