As Earth Day approaches, we have devised ways to celebrate Earth Day and overall wellness. We need to get outside and appreciate the world we live in, which can be hard to do when we have work, school, kids, or other responsibilities. Sometimes we can take advantage of the Earth and what it provides us. We need to give back, help the Earth, and cherish what we see outside.
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How to Celebrate Earth Day Outside
There are many things you can do to celebrate Earth Day outside. Earth Day deserves to be celebrated outside, encouraging mindfulness and overall wellness. Here are 5 ideas you should try to celebrate Earth Day outside.
5. Plant a tree
Planting a tree is a great way to spend time outside and do something helpful for the earth. Before you start, check with your neighborhood and local government to ensure that you can plant a tree in the area of your choice. You can visit your local government website to learn about planting trees. There are certain trees you should plant based on where you live and its climate. The dogwood tree is the most common tree to plant because it can be grown anywhere, no matter the weather. They range from being in Maine down to North of Mexico.
Steps:
- Dig a planting hole 2 to 3 times as wide as the root ball. The root flare must remain above the surface of the soil.
- Lay the tree on its side with the root ball on a tarp. Work with gloves to deeply loosen and free the roots. If you see circling roots, cut them to prevent them from girdling.
- Place the tree in the center of the hole you dug. The root flare must remain above the surface of the soil. If it is too low or too high, lift the tree and add or remove the soil until the root flare is above it.
- Build a soil berm which is a mound that circles the tree. It is 10 to 12 inches from the trunk. It creates a bowl to hold 10 gallons of water to keep the root ball moist, which is essential.
- Stake the tree. You will put two lodge pole stakes that are 8 inches away from the trunk. This will help the young tree grow straight until the roots are established and the tree can be held.
- Ties should be placed to ensure the tree will be placed straight. Hold the trunk at the level you plan to tie, generally four feet from the ground. The tree should be standing straight without leaning. Create an eight with the tie, loop around, and nail it into the stake. You will nail it to both stakes you have in the ground.
- Fill the basin that is like a bowl with water. Water your tree thoroughly at least once a week when it hasn’t been raining continuously.
- Add mulch to cover the soil two to three feet around the tree’s base, at least three to five inches of mulch. You will want to keep the mulch two to three inches away from the trunk and root flare. To avoid insects and rodents digging the mulch and chewing the bark.
4. Pick up trash
On your usual walk or running route, pick up a piece of trash here and there. This helps the birds, turtles, or whales from getting caught in it or swallowing something they shouldn’t. You can start picking up trash that is in your neighborhood and then divide it into two bags. That way, one bag will have all the stuff that can be recycled, and the other one will need to be added to your household trash.
If you don’t want to stop your exercise to pick up trash, you can head to the park and pick trash up there. If you live close to the beach, this is a great area to pick up trash. That way, it doesn’t end up in the ocean and hurt any sea animals from eating it or getting caught by it and stuck. There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Day outside than cleaning up our planet.
3. Take a walk
If you usually head to the gym to workout, try going on a nature walk and enjoying the fresh air for a change. Put down the remote and step outside. You can look up and find trails you can walk in your area. It is a great way to celebrate Earth Day and appreciating the outdoors.
If you don’t have trails where you live, walk your neighborhood or go to your local park for a change. You can even try watching for animals, bugs, plants, birds, and trees. This is a great activity to try with the whole family. Most importantly, embrace and enjoy the walk by staying off your phone and enjoying the scenery around you.
2. Bike ride with the family
Try a family bike ride to get everyone outdoors for Earth Day. If all the kids know how to ride a bike, it will get the kids off electronics and you won’t be stuffed in the house. It is a great way to be outdoors and celebrate Earth Day that is also active and promoting overall wellness. If a child doesn’t know how to ride a bike, it’s still a great way to get outside and teach them. If you have a child who is too young to ride a bike, they can be strapped in a baby carrier while attached to your bike.
1. Don’t use your car
Not using your car for a day is a great way to show love to your planet. Find your local bus stop and use the bus, or walk or bike to your destination today for a change. You’ll help the planet by not adding more gas fumes to the air. You can also ride a bike or carpool with others if the bus isn’t an option. These small decisions might seem like an inconvenience, but the truth is you’ll be more active while running your errands and you will be making a big impact on the Earth the more you do it. You might not realize or see it, but the impact is enormous.
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How Does Getting Outside Help Your Overall Wellness?
This article by the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that being outside in nature proves to be relaxing and reduces stress, muscle tension, and heart rates. Studies have shown that being outside helps strengthen our cognitive capacities and increases our focus and attention. Being outside has endless benefits to support your overall health. Isolation isn’t good for anybody, so stepping outside for wellness is essential and perfectly celebrates Earth Day this year.
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