Why Veganism will Help You Reinvent Your Career and Life

In previous decades, veganism was commonly associated with stoic yogis, bland meals, and a restricted and boring lifestyle. Vegans then were the oddball hippies who couldn't savor optimal pleasure and enjoyment. Fortunately, these concepts are a thing of the past, as millennials are learning to embrace the practice.

Due to more extensive efforts to educate the public and more advanced research on the benefits of veganism, it's becoming more and more popular. In this blog, we'll explore what veganism is and how it can help you experience a different but more meaningful life in items of career and personal relationships

What is veganism?

First, let's clarify what veganism is. It's common for people to think of it as the practice of eating veggies or plant-based food. However, while veganism has to do a lot with dietary choices, its meaning can transcend this concept to encompass an entire lifestyle.

In its fullest definition, veganism or vegetarianism is the attitude or way of life that seeks to reject all forms of exploitation of animals. Humans can be some of the most savage living things, with the potential to inflict cruelty on breathing organisms for personal gain. Veganism denounces killing any animal, be it for food, clothing, shelter, or even for science and research. They subscribe to the belief that our "fellow animals" should also be respected. This means we should consider their lives as valuable as ours.

Why veganism can be career- and life-enhancing

As a comprehensive lifestyle, veganism can give you a fresh set of beliefs and values, completely changing your life's trajectory. Here are a few good reasons why veganism will help you reinvent your career and life:

1. Veganism can turn you into a more compassionate human being

Becoming a vegan will open your eyes to the kind of damage that we inflict upon nature and ourselves. This increased awareness will help you see both animals and humans in a different light. With a change in thinking comes a shift in how you act and make decisions. For instance, upon learning of the plight of animals subjected to horrendous experiments by certain companies in the beauty and personal care industry, you'll likely stay away from their products. Instead, you'll go for cruelty-free skincare. Not only can you protect the animals from harsh tests, but you'll also be treating yourself to the cosmetic benefits of plant-based ingredients, such as antioxidants that fight aging and give you glowing skin.

In addition, the enhanced sense of empathy from the shift to veganism will help you increase employee engagement. Is this far-fetched? Not really. Put it this way: when you have an increased ability to put yourself in your employees' shoes, you can better understand your employees and expand your perspective to include theirs. This can improve your communication at work and help you better connect and align your expectations and goals.

2. Veganism can boost your overall health

Studies show that drinking milk (whole, low-fat, or skim) is closely correlated with persistent inflammation, such as acne. Certain findings also indicate that the increased ingestion of dairy products is linked to a heightened risk of breast cancer due to the presence of estrogen and saturated fatty acids.

In addition, the high consumption of red meat (beef, veal, mutton, pork, and lamb) can lead to various major chronic diseases. These include diabetes, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. It can also increase the risk of stroke and colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer.

Eating minimally processed, plant-based foods is thus a logical solution to avoid debilitating diseases and improve your health. And better health means that you have the energy to perform your work and personal functions to the best of your abilities.

3. Veganism can enhance your cognitive functions

Minimizing the consumption of meat and dairy products can prevent cognitive decline. At the same time, a study done on Chinese adults revealed a correlation between a healthier dietary pattern (such as including a Mediterranean diet, which typically consists of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, olive oil, nuts, and seeds) and a lower risk of the decline in mental functioning.

Having sharper faculties in your professional and personal life can mean a top-notch quality of life. For example, being mentally alert at work can help you excel at your job and help you work smarter, not just harder. A brain that's in tip-top shape can also help you think more clearly and strategically, helping you distinguish genuine opportunities from mere distractions.

Memory is one helpful cognitive function that can be helped along by a vegan diet. Incorporating more veggies into your everyday meals may help you remember all-important dates like anniversaries and birthdays. And this can have a massive impact on how you manage your relationships.

4. Veganism can save you loads of cash

According to a study by Kantar, vegans spend 40% less on their meals compared to individuals who generally consume meat and fish. Mock meats and curated vegan products in specialty shops can indeed be costlier than animal-based alternatives. However, home-cooked dishes and whole foods, such as nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, linseeds), grains (quinoa, wholegrain rice, bulgur wheat), and beans and legumes (lentils, lima beans, chickpeas, split peas, kidney beans) are healthier and more affordable.

The implications of this are far-reaching. Just imagine a savings of 40% every time you eat! On top of that, you get to save on expensive medical bills. All this money can go into your 401k and accumulate into a massive nest fund over time. Who knows, you may even be able to retire earlier or shift to a career that's more in line with your passions simply because of a better financial situation.

Wrap up

Veganism can potentially redirect your career and life and make them more meaningful and satisfying. Are you ready to switch gears to a kinder, more plant-based diet? Then perhaps you need to chew on your greens to think well enough and decide for the best.