Celebrating Our Earth
April is a month of celebration and appreciation for our Earth and all that it does for us! Whether you make the conscious decision to buy local produce or use non-toxic, sustainably sourced cleaning products, there are so many small things that you can do this month (and in the future) to support our Mother Earth!
Getting Involved on Earth Day
Understanding the current state of our planet and what we need to do to protect it is extremely important. This year in particular marks a pivotal point in time where we need to act in tandem with our communities to help our planet before we pass the breaking point. However, doing your individual part to protect Mother Earth doesn’t have to be such a “grand” ordeal; in fact, even small acts of kindness towards our planet’s health go a long way!
This April, you can consider gathering with your neighbors to conduct a town trash clean-up. You can also reach out to local non-profits and get involved in their volunteer opportunities that support the planet’s health and prosperity. Lastly, contributing to community gardens in your town is a great way to support families by giving back to the land and keeping the economy local.
For more ideas on how you can get involved on Earth Day this Saturday, April 22nd, please consider checking out the resources located here.
Resource Citation: Earth Day. (2023). Earth day every day. Earth day. https://www.earthday.org/
Switching to Natural Cleaning Products; Your Health is Worth it!
Going along with this month’s theme of advocating for the health and longevity of our Earth, purchasing safe, non-toxic healthcare and cleaning products is essential for protecting both you and the planet. Especially with the increase in companies marketing certain products to various age demographics, it can be tricky to figure out what to believe and who to trust when it comes to product safety. Linked below is an article highlighting the scary truth behind cleaning companies exploiting customers to benefit their profits; from beauty products to certain linens, it’s important to be aware of what you are buying and where you are buying it from.
Please enjoy this article that provides helpful information on switching to more natural and safe cleaning products! I, Annemarie Sampson, was also interviewed to share my personal reasons for switching to natural cleaning products in the article.
Some of the helpful information from the article, “Switch to Natural Cleaning Products With Our Easy Shopping List”, is briefly condensed below:
Eliminate Products that Contain these Harmful Ingredients
Chlorine Bleach
Ammonia
Phosphates
Formaldehyde
Parabens
Triclosan
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Methylisothiazolinone
Resource Citation: Muslin, J. (2015, October 8). Switch to natural cleaning products with our easy shopping list. Better. https://better.net/chicago/life/switch-to-natural-cleaning-products-with-our-easy-shopping-list/
The Pressure to Obtain a “Summer Body”
As the flowers begin to bloom and the days get warmer, it can be tricky to navigate your body confidence in a society that often only highlights “slim, lean, and fit” bodies. Unfortunately, the media reveals a lot of unrealistic images and messages that only fuel body image insecurities in this switch from winter to summertime. Whether its models in two-piece string bikinis, or men posed with “perfectly chiseled abs”, all of these unrealistic body messages can lead to some serious battles with body dysmorphia. Additionally, all of these messages relay to us that bodies aren’t good enough as they are currently. Instead, the media compels us to believe that we can “only” wear summer clothes and bathing suits if we are “thin and fit”.
And folks, this is a lot of pressure to put on ourselves and our bodies. The bottomline is that your body is worth so much more than what the media tells you it “should” look like. You are ready for summer because summer is a time for enjoying the sunshine, laughing with friends/family, and relaxing… it is not a time for calorie counting, overexercising, and mirror checking to make your body “smaller and more fit” just so you can please some sort of arbitrary false advertising schemes.
I say all of this with compassion; tackling the pressures of obtaining a “summer body” is not an easy feat. However, there are three simple things you can do for yourself this spring and leading into summer that will help you to feel more grounded in your mind and body.
Unfollow social media accounts that are triggering; letting go of exercise influencers and dieting advice accounts can be helpful during this time.
Have a support network; trusting in family and friends can bring you joy and comfort.
Enjoy a new activity; celebrating the things that your body allows you to do helps to put the emphasis back on your body as a beautiful machine and not something that needs to be changed.
As always, lead with grace and compassion for yourself. Your body is beautiful just as it is, in this present moment. Your body is ready for summer!!
Resource Citation: Musick, S. (2020, July 3). Body image pressures of summertime. Eating disorder hope. https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/body-image-pressures-summertime
Digital Wellness Day - 2023
Looking ahead to May, this is a reminder that Digital Wellness Day is Friday, May 5th! What is Digital Wellness Day?
Digital Wellness Day is a day dedicated to “optimizing your relationship with technology”. Especially with the increase in usage of technology in today’s society, it is important to understand the benefits and some of the drawbacks that the digital realm has added to our lives. The Digital Wellness Institute pioneered Digital Wellness Day to promote and share how to use technology in a safe, productive way. Mark your calendars for this monumental event!!
For more information, click here!
Thank you all for taking the time to engage with this month’s content; continue to enjoy the new warmth of spring and we’ll chat next month!
Take care and be WELL!