By Michelle Wilson, wellness program manager
Weekly challenges to support environmental wellness
Environmental wellness is our theme this month. We are focusing on taking care of our home and work environments and the natural world around us. We can make a positive difference in our lives and the lives of others when we make choices to create beautiful and healthy environments.
This month, give yourself a weekly challenge related to your environment. Remember that the environments around us are impacted by physical changes we make, such as keeping an area clean and organized, and by the ways we support people in feeling peaceful and happy in a space we share.
Here are some challenges you may want to give yourself. Try at least one a week and notice how you feel at the end of the month.
Choose natural products and foods
Pay attention to the choices you make when you shop. Purchase foods, cleaning supplies, and household items that use natural or organic ingredients. Choose items with less packaging and those that use glass or aluminum instead of plastic to cut down on the amount of plastic waste in landfills. Bring in your own bags when you shop or don’t use a bag at all if you don’t need it. Say no to plastic bags and other plastic items such as straws, cups, and lids whenever you can.
Organize and redecorate
Choose at least one area where you spend time and organize, redecorate, and make it beautiful. Think about donating or recycling items you no longer use or need. Put up photos or items that support you in celebrating the seasonal changes. Invite a friend or family member to do this with you to make it easier and more fun to accomplish.
Recycle more than usual
Many things can be recycled, including certain types of plastic, glass, aluminum, cardboard, paper, and magazines. If you aren’t sure what you can recycle at your curb when you put your cans out, call your local garbage or recycling company and ask them. You can also recycle other things, such as electronics, large yard items, batteries, and wood products. To learn where you can recycle those, ask your recycling company locally where and when you can do that, or look at their website to learn more. Consider driving to a recycling center once a month to bring things you can’t recycle at the curb. Everything we do makes a difference.
Get out in nature and appreciate what it has to offer
Celebrate the natural beauty of the world around us by enjoying it. Get outside every day if you can. Take a walk, go for a hike, bike through the trees, or sit by a body of water. If you have children or teens, bring them with you to teach them the importance and ease of relaxing in nature. The more we enjoy it, the more likely we are to do all we can to take care of it.
Create a place of calm and joy
Create at least one small place in your home where you can relax and feel calm. It can be inside or outside and only needs to have a few things to make it your place of calm. Add a candle, music, a warm blanket, or some photos to an area and spend a little time there every day. This will support you in being more peaceful and positive for those around you, which supports environmental wellness for everyone.
Tip: Check out our video on how to create a small planter garden. Working with plants is relaxing, and when we grow our own food, we support the Earth and our health. Click here to see all of our short videos on wellness: Living a Healthy Life Video Series