By Michelle Wilson, wellness program manager
Environmental wellness starts with each one of us
Environmental wellness is an important part of staying healthy. At La Clinica, we think of environmental wellness as being about having safe and healthy homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. We may think of the environment as something that is too big for us to take care of on our own, when we think of global issues related to the environment, but there are many ways we can each make decisions to take care of our personal environments and the larger world.
Make a plan to do these three simple things to support environmental wellness for yourself and others.
Get out in nature
One of the best ways to support our own wellbeing is to be in nature. Spring is a perfect time to do this when the weather isn’t too warm or too cold and the flowers and trees are blooming. When we get out in nature regularly, we may feel more relaxed and connected to the world around us. We may also feel more connected to our own feelings of caring for the Earth and decide to do more to take care of it.
Create beauty and order in your home or workspace
Environmental wellness is also about our personal spaces. Where do you spend the most time? It may be at home, at work, or other places that are important parts of your life. It is important to take time to make the spaces where you spend time organized, peaceful, and beautiful. For each of us, this may mean different things. Think about what will make your spaces more comfortable and nurturing. It might be time to clean out a closet, redecorate a room, or add something to your office that reminds you of home.
Make choices that are healthy for the natural world
We all know that we can recycle cans and bottles, but did you know that many other things can also be recycled? Learn more about what can be recycled in your area. Look up “what can I recycle?” and put the name of your town or city. Sometimes you need to bring things to a recycling center and sometimes you can recycle certain items once or twice a year. Besides recycling, think about using less plastic when you make purchases by choosing items that are packaged in other ways, donate to an environmental organization, or drive less often to conserve on the use of fossil fuel. Everything truly makes a difference, and it all starts with each one of us.
Tip: Watch this short video on how to start a container garden at home. This is the perfect time of year for planting and growing food, which supports your health and makes your home environment beautiful. Living a Healthy Life Video Series | La Clinica (laclinicahealth.org)