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Five Ways To Get In Touch With Nature On Earth Day
It’s no coincidence that Earth Day happens during Spring. The world is coming back to life after lying dormant during the cooler months, and there’s lush flora and fauna everywhere you look.
Usually Earth Day is a big celebration at Serenbe. Acton Academy at Serenbe has their annual Bloomfest where the kids sell flowers, their art, and other items while music plays and a food truck feeds attendees. Serenbe Farms has their annual Plant Sale. We’ve taught the community about composting, had Earth Day Birthday parties for friends, created community gardens, and celebrated at the weekly Serenbe Farmers Market.
Because we’re all social distancing, Spring 2020 looks a little bit different. Serenbe Farms still did their plant sale, which they adjusted by pre-selling online and having everyone’s order ready for a drive-thru pickup. Community members are still creating gardens, in fact we’ve seen quite a few popping up these past weeks. It’s different, but Serenbians are doing what they can to celebrate the natural world. And in honor of that, here are 5 ideas and inspiration for you to revitalize your relationship with the earth on Earth Day.
Americans during World War I were encouraged to plant vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens. They became popular again during the Second World War and seem to be coming back again this spring as people fear too many trips to the grocery store.
It’s no secret that Climate Change is affecting the planet and that humans have something to do with it. Here are a few ways you can learn a little bit more about the world, what it’s going through, and what you can do to make it a little better.
Our favorite independent bookstore Hills & Hamlets created an environmental book list just for this! Find a book for readers of all ages that will “change the way you think about nature.”
In the Serenbe Stories podcast, Steve Nygren talks about how the built environment affects our wellness. We also like DRILLED, which is a climate podcast told like your fave true crime story.
‘80s babies remember sitting down to watch Captain Planet and the Planeteers, the “eco-toon” created by Ted Turner. Tune in on April 22 & 29 at 6:30pm for a live streamed classic episode!
The best way to learn about the world is to just get out in it! There are plenty of resources out there to help guide, like this one from the Audubon Society that teaches kids about birds.
Sometimes it feels like the world’s problems are too big for one person to make a change. There are some small (and easy!) adjustments individuals can make that have an impact in the long run, though! For instance, instead of buying cling wrap for your leftovers, try beeswax. It’s naturally antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial, and just needs the heat from your hands to wrap around your food. Or, using wool when you dry clothes in a dryer makes them softer and decreases dry time. You won’t need dryer sheets AND you’ll use less energy! We also recommend reusable grocery bags. You can find some to carry all your items, but they also make smaller bags for fresh foods shopping!
Direct contact between your body act the surface of the earth (grounding or earthing) has positive physiological and psychological affects on your body. So if you’re feeling worn out, stressed, bored, or just…meh, head outside. You can practice yoga, sit in guided meditation, or just stand for a minute and breathe in the fresh air. Leave your shoes, though.
It sounds so simple, and yet once we hit a certain age free play seems to stop. While it’s imperative in child development, anyone of any age can benefit from playing outside. As any kid will tell you, grownups lack imagination, so we found a great list of ideas both active and relaxing if you need guidance.