This month has been all about the importance of and creativity as a way to de-stress and boost well-being. In celebrating Earth Day — or the ancient ritual of May Day, we can take a moment to reflect and appreciate all that nature provides for us.
Nature has many benefits that we may take for granted. The air we breathe, the ground we walk on, the water we use in our home–it is easy to forget where these resources come from. Being mindful and teaching our children how we use these resources can help us to preserve our beautiful planet!
April showers bring May flowers
Now is the perfect time to begin composting and cultivating rich dirt for our new blooms! Composting is when food such as fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells and coffee grounds naturally break down, producing nutrient-dense fertilizer. Composting is very easy and many towns and cities already have places where you can deposit. You can also start composing in your own back yard!
This time of year also means spring cleaning and rejuvenating the home, body, mind and spirit. But spring rituals can extend beyond our own walls. Take advantage of the beautiful weather, get outside and contribute to a trash cleanup around your neighborhood! This is a great way to feel the personal benefits of nature while contributing to a greater cause.
You have probably heard by now how important it is to recycle as it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. Much of this waste that is not recycled inevitable ends up in places like beaches, lakes and parks. While you are spring cleaning, try to keep in mind materials that may be recyclable. Some materials can take years to decompose if not recycled!
While you are sprucing up your home, be mindful of the products you are using. There are many chemicals in our day-to-day cleaning products that can be harmful not only to the health and well-being of your children, but toxic to the environment as well. Organizations like the Environmental Working Group provide guidance on environmentally-friendly foods and products. EWG has a whole page dedicated to sorting out natural solutions to cleaning products!
Spring lessons for summertime
With spring in full swing, many of us are already looking forward to summer. But our springtime appreciation for nature and the environment should last all year! While shopping for summer necessities, be conscientious of your shopping habits. Bringing a reusable bag or asking for paper bags can help eliminate the amount of plastic waste floating around. Swap out plastic water bottles for larger, greener reusable containers. As for sunscreen, be sure to check out EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens to help you make the best purchase.
Finally, no matter the season, there are always a few small steps we can easily incorporate to make our lives a little greener such as reminding our kids (and ourselves!) to take shorter showers and shut off lights and other electronics when they’re not in use. This is mindfulness in action.
This spring season (and the rest of the year for that matter!) share with your children, friends and family what you are doing to be kind to our planet and embrace all that nature has to offer.
5 Tips for a greener spring
- Compost fruits, veggies and even coffee grounds to get nutrient-dense dirt for your new spring blooms.
- Get outside and participate in a trash cleanup in your neighborhood to help reduce waste.
- Recycle or donate items that are cluttering your home, and switch to less-toxic products.
- Invest in reusable products such as water bottles and bags. Also consider using more natural summer products like sunscreen.
- Reduce water and electricity use by taking shorter showers, turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use.
Resources
Check out this website where recyclable materials are listed and other helpful information on recycling is available.
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