PGC 2024 Day 20: Well-Being – Project Green Challenge

Day 20

Well-Being

How do take care of your mind and body?

Introduction

Taking time for yourself is essential. Pause, take a deep breath, and unwind. These past weeks have been full of learning and action, but remember: caring for the planet starts with caring for you. To be an effective changemaker, maintaining your health and balance is key. When stress arises, prioritize your well-being. By committing to self-care and using mindful techniques, you’ll be ready to achieve more while feeling your best.

❝

The earth is a single living organism. Every part of it, including us, is interconnected.
❞

James Lovelock, English scientist and environmentalist

Read More ⌄

How Do You Care for Yourself?

Here are some ways to care for yourself daily:

Eat Well: Nourish your body with a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats. They not only fuel your body but also support your mind and gut health.
Move Your Body: Regular movement, especially in nature, has immense physical and mental benefits. Whether it’s a walk around the block or some simple stretching, find activities you enjoy.
Reduce Screen Time: Give your eyes and mind a break from screens. Use blue light filters or glasses, and aim to unplug at least 30 minutes before bed to improve sleep quality.
Prioritize Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Listen to your body; when it needs rest, honor it, even if it means taking a short nap.
Connect with Others: Spending time with friends, family, or your community can reduce loneliness and increase happiness. Reach out to a loved one, join a group, or explore community events.
Follow Your Bliss: Set aside time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s painting, listening to music, or diving into a good book. Make time for what feeds your soul.
Practice Mindfulness: Being present can help reduce stress, boost memory, and even strengthen your immune system. Explore different meditation styles to find what works best for you.
Cultivate Gratitude: Acknowledge what you’re grateful for to increase happiness and improve well-being. A simple way to start is by jotting down five things you appreciate each day.
Reconnect with Nature: Spend time outdoors, whether it’s in your backyard, on a local trail, or at a community green space. Aim for at least two hours each week to experience the physical and mental benefits nature offers.

Taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it’s essential for being the change you want to see in the world.

How Can You Practice Wellness with Others?

Our partners for today’s challenge are here to support your well-being through responsible practices. Naturepedic is dedicated to providing safer, healthier sleep with their certified organic mattresses, promoting an organic, holistic lifestyle, and helping protect the environment.

We’re also grateful for partners who prioritize education about product safety. Women’s Voices for the Earth educates and advocates for toxin-free living, while MADE SAFE certifies products as non-toxic, making sustainable wellness choices easier.

Life can be demanding, and Project Green Challenge may add to your busy month, but remember—your wellness always comes first. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be in the best position to make a lasting impact and become the changemaker you aspire to be.

PARTNERS

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Wellness Resources

Explore these resources to support your wellness journey. From learning about safe, toxin-free products to discovering holistic lifestyle tips, these guides and tools are designed to help you prioritize your well-being and make informed choices. Dive in to find inspiration, practical advice, and trusted partners committed to your health and the planet’s future.

CHALLENGES

Green

20 POINTS

THINK

Healthy habits take time to develop. Project Green Challenge is a month-long journey because lasting change doesn’t happen overnight—it requires conscious effort and consistency. Are you nourishing your body with healthy foods? Getting the rest you need? Throughout PGC, you’ve explored nature, set intentions, and reflected — practices that foster a deeper connection with yourself and the environment.

CHALLENGE

Picture the positive habits you hope to foster in your life. Find a cozy spot, indoors or outside, turn off your phone (or switch to airplane mode), and grab a notebook or some upcycled paper and a pen.

Define Wellness: In your own words, what does wellness mean to you?
Reflect on Habits: Write down at least three habits or activities that boost your wellness and bring you joy. Then, list three habits or behaviors you’d like to change or let go of to become a healthier version of yourself, both physically and mentally.
Create a Visual: Make a visual representation—whether it’s a doodle, word cloud, poem, collage, or digital art—of as many positive habits that support wellness as you can think of. Draw inspiration from the introduction above or anywhere else that resonates with you.
Share Your Creation: Post your visual on Instagram with a brief caption about what wellness means to you. Tag @naturepedic and @TurningGreenOrg in both the image and caption, and use #PGC2024.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

Create a PDF: Combine your deliverables and a screenshot of your social media post into a single PDF. Ensure your name (or team name), username, and school are included.
File Naming: Save your PDF as firstname_lastname_challengeday_challengelevel_year.pdf
e.g.: kasie_jones_day20_green_2024.pdf
Avoid using symbols (including #) or spaces in the file name.
File Size: Ensure the file size does not exceed 5 MB.
Submit: Upload your PDF. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry.
Score: Points can be checked by going to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar. Your score is at the top of the page.
Questions: Direct any inquiries to info@turninggreen.org
Social Media: Share your challenge activities on social media, tagging us on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg, Facebook @Turning Green, and using #PGC2024.

The deadline for entering this challenge has past.

Greener

40 POINTS

THINK

Appreciating life and those around us is one of the simplest ways to enhance well-being, yet it’s often overlooked in our daily routines. It’s never too late to start practicing gratitude or to take it to the next level.

CHALLENGE

Watch the Video: Start by watching An Experiment in Gratitude: The Science of Happiness.
Reflect and Write: After reflecting on the video, choose someone you’re grateful for and write them a heartfelt letter. Include at least five ways they have positively impacted your life. Make sure your letter is personal, intentional, and genuine.
Share Your Letter: Read your letter to them—in person, over the phone, or via video call. Observe their reaction and reflect on how the experience made both of you feel.
Upload and Reflect: Upload your letter and write a brief reflection on the experience. If you prefer to keep your submission private, just let us know.
Inspire Others (Optional): If you’re comfortable sharing, post your letter on Instagram to inspire others with your gratitude. Tag @TurningGreenOrg and use #PGC2024. Thank you!

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

Create a PDF: Combine your deliverables and a screenshot of your social media post into a single PDF. Ensure your name (or team name), username, and school are included.
File Naming: Save your PDF as firstname_lastname_challengeday_challengelevel_year.pdf
e.g.: kasie_jones_day20_greener_2024.pdf
Avoid using symbols (including #) or spaces in the file name.
File Size: Ensure the file size does not exceed 5 MB.
Submit: Upload your PDF. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry.
Score: Points can be checked by going to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar. Your score is at the top of the page.
Questions: Direct any inquiries to info@turninggreen.org.
Social Media: Share your challenge activities on social media, tagging us on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg, Facebook @Turning Green, and using #PGC2024.

The deadline for entering this challenge has past.

Greenest

60 POINTS

THINK

The benefits of mindfulness are widely recognized, but what does it actually mean in practice? Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of creating space—to think, to breathe, and to recognize our connection with ourselves, others, and our surroundings. It’s about paying attention, on purpose, without judgment. While mindfulness is primarily a mental and spiritual practice, having a dedicated physical space can support this process.

Explore the 7 Principles of Mindfulness to deepen your understanding. We hope this heightened self-awareness inspires you to find inner peace and work toward positive change in your community and for our planet.

CHALLENGE

Envision Your Sanctuary: Imagine a self-care sanctuary where you can practice mindfulness, connect with yourself, and find relaxation. Dream big and think about how you can create this space while prioritizing sustainability, health, and joyfulness using what you’ve learned over the past 20 days.
Curate Your Space: List the objects that would help you relax and create a soothing environment. Include a note explaining why each item is important to you.
Pick Your Spot: Choose a cozy space—whether it’s a corner of your room, a spot in your home, a park, or your backyard—to design as your self-care sanctuary.
Start the Transformation: Begin transforming your chosen space using items you already have. Make use of light, your own art, and natural elements. Be innovative! For inspiration, refer to these tips.
Experience Your Sanctuary: Once your sanctuary is ready, sit in it, take deep breaths, and center yourself through a practice of your choice. Reflect on your personal mission and why you joined PGC. Remember, environmental work can be demanding, so it’s essential to have a space that helps you reaffirm your commitment to yourself and the planet.
Reflect and Share: Write a brief reflection about your experience. How did it feel to create your sanctuary? How do you plan to use it and the wisdom you’ve gained moving forward?
Post Your Sanctuary: Share a picture, reel, or carousel post of your sanctuary on Instagram with a caption about why self-care matters and your experience in creating this mindful space. Tag @TurningGreenOrg and use #PGC2024.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

Create a PDF: Combine your deliverables and a screenshot of your social media post into a single PDF. Ensure your name (or team name), username, and school are included.
File Naming: Save your PDF as firstname_lastname_challengeday_challengelevel_year.pdf
e.g.: kasie_jones_day20_greenest_2024.pdf
Avoid using symbols (including #) or spaces in the file name.
File Size: Ensure the file size does not exceed 5 MB.
Submit: Upload your PDF. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry.
Score: Points can be checked by going to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar. Your score is at the top of the page.
Questions: Direct any inquiries to info@turninggreen.org.
Social Media: Share your challenge activities on social media, tagging us on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg, Facebook @Turning Green, and using #PGC2024.

The deadline for entering this challenge has past.

PRIZES

Up to 10 Greener and 10 Greenest outstanding submissions will be selected as winners.

Each Greener Winner will receive:

An Organic Pillow from our partner, Naturepedic, who are on a mission to support safer, healthier sleep by creating products that fit with an organic holistic lifestyle and protect the environment. This MADE SAFE® certified pillow ensures fresh, clean comfort. Best of all, there is no polyurethane foam, no polyester fill and no chemical flame retardants!
A Gratitude Journal from Chronicle Books. Use this three-year memory book to capture everything you are grateful for—both big and small. Every day, jot down something positive. With practice, you will find that there is always something to be thankful for.

Each Greenest Winner will receive:

An Organic Cotton Waffle Blanket from our partner, Naturepedic, who are on a mission to support safer, healthier sleep by creating products that fit with an organic holistic lifestyle and protect the environment. This MADE SAFE® certified organic cotton blanket features a distinctive textured side for tactile comfort that looks as good as it feels.
Sleep Balm from Badger, a Certified B Corp that cultivates goodness through business practices that are trustworthy, ecologically responsible, and respectful of all people inside and outside their walls.