PARTNERS
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde, Author, Feminist, and Civil Rights Activist
To care for the planet, you must first care for yourself. During PGC, we’ve asked you to think about the big picture: your impact on the world through an intersectional lens of justice, ecological footprints, waste, food, fashion and more. But the actions you take to care for yourself are just as important as the actions you take to care for the Earth and others. We need a healthy, balanced, sustained YOU now and for the long haul — with the robust energy and stamina to be an effective, enduring changemaker. In moments of high personal, academic or societal stress, wellness may feel like a low priority. But with a toolbox of techniques and commitment to prioritizing health, you can actually accomplish a lot more, while also feeling your best!
Today, we invite you to sustain yourself! Take a deep breath, clear your mind, and celebrate your extraordinary accomplishments in Project Green Challenge (and life!) thus far. With that, let’s get started on your daily dose of wellness.
From spending time outdoors in backyards or national parks, preparing a FLOSN meal, or sharing an afternoon with friends, there are countless ways that you can practice self-care and connect with yourself, while also connecting with the planet.
Here are ten simple ways you can choose health and well-being in daily life!
Our partners for today’s challenge are united by missions of looking after wellness through responsible practices. Natracare provides organic, sustainable, plastic-free products that champion health for people with periods and ecosystems worldwide. Women’s Voices for the Earth works to eliminate toxins from women’s bodies and the environment. MADE SAFE is the first third-party certified non-toxic seal for daily use products. Here’s to coming together to prioritize wellness!
Healthy habits don’t just become a part of your life overnight. That’s why Project Green Challenge is not only one day; it’s thirty days back-to-back for a reason! No one has ever created or broken a habit instantly. It takes conscious thought, attention and repetition over time, so let’s focus our energies on wellness practices. During PGC, we’ve asked you to go outside, to explore, to get in touch with nature, to listen, to set intentions, and to reflect, all of which connect us to ourselves and surroundings in meaningful ways. But how do we make those types of practices second nature, and thereby improve health, concentration, and happiness?
Think about positive habits in your life, perhaps taking inspiration from what has undoubtedly shifted during Covid-19, as Natracare outlines here. Sit comfortably, either inside or out, with your phone off (or at least on airplane mode to remove distractions!) and a notebook or upcycled piece of paper and pen in hand.
First, define wellness in your own terms. What does it mean in your own life?
Now, write down at least three habits or activities that foster wellness and bring you joy. Then write three habits or go-to behaviors that you would like to change or let go of to be a healthier version of yourself physically and/or mentally.
Create a visual depiction, doodle or word cloud with as many positive habits that support WELLNESS as you can think of. Take inspiration from the above introduction or anywhere else. Post it on Instagram with a brief caption of what wellness means to you, tagging @TurningGreenOrg and @Natracare in the image itself and the caption, plus #PGC2021.
Upload a PDF Document with your responses and a screenshot of your social media post. Include your name (or team name), username, and school.
Submission Guidelines
Showing appreciation for life and those around us is one of the simplest ways to improve well-being, yet few of us make gratitude a daily practice. It’s never too late to start being thankful or put that into higher gear!
Start by watching An Experiment in Gratitude: The Science of Happiness.
After taking a moment to reflect on this video, think of a person for whom you are grateful. Write a letter to this person detailing why you are grateful. Include at least 5 ways they have positively contributed to your life. Be personal, intentional and genuine.
After you have written your letter, read it to that person (if possible), whether face-to-face, by phone, video call or even send by snail mail. Take note of their reaction and how it made both of you feel.
Share your letter and their reaction. Write a short reflection on this experience.
We will post winning submissions, unless you prefer to keep it private. If so, simply let us know and it will stay between you and our team. If you feel comfortable, post it on Instagram. We would love to see and hear to inspire gratitude practices far and wide. Tag @TurningGreenOrg and use #PGC2021, like always. THANK YOU!
Upload a PDF Document with a copy of the letter and your short reflection. Share how they responded and also how you felt. Please include your name (or team name), username, and school.
Submission Guidelines
The benefits of mindfulness are widely known, promoted by health professionals, celebrities, self-help gurus, Marines, incarcerated people, and many many more. While it may seem complex, mindfulness is simply practicing the art of creating space – to think, to breathe, to recognize connections between ourselves, reactions, others and surroundings. Mindfulness is a mental and spiritual practice, but dedicated physical space that supports the process is known to be very helpful. We hope that heightened self-awareness will help you think about and further develop a vision of how you seek to effect change in the community and world.
Create a self-care sanctuary for practicing mindfulness, self-connection and relaxation. Get creative and dream big! And remember to prioritize sustainability and health, with the key learnings from PGC around the impact of plastics, excess waste and more.
Share a picture of the space you curated and/or a screenshot of your self-care sanctuary photo collage or Pinterest board on Instagram with a caption about why self-care matters and your experience in creating space for mindfulness. Tag @TurningGreenOrg and @Natracare, as well as #PGC2021.
Upload a PDF Document with your photo collage or Pinterest board, picture of your new space, reflection and a screenshot of your social media post. Please include your name (or team name), username, and school.
Submission Guidelines
Up to 10 Greener and 10 Greenest outstanding submissions will be selected as winners.
Each Greener Winner will receive:
Each Greenest Winner will receive:
