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On Friday, March 13th, it was the day we knew the schools were shutting down and we were going into quarantine for who knew how long. (We’re still in it, for the most part!) I am sure most of you can relate to what that felt like.
I needed to figure out how I was going to get through this challenging, stressful time. So, I decided to walk the walk and turned to all of my research and writing that focuses on how nature can help us feel happier and calmer. So, the next morning, I embarked on a 100-day Eco Happiness Challenge to get through this rough time. While this challenge helped my family and me stay calm while stuck at home, it also provided the opportunity for us to build a nature connection habit that will benefit us in the long run.
What Is Eco Happiness?
Spending time in and around nature is so beneficial to our family’s health and well-being. It calms us when we are feeling stressed and boosts our mood when we are feeling down. There are so many wonderful ways to tap into the incredible healing power of nature, from volunteering outdoors to green exercise to spending time with animals.
I created the Eco Happiness Project to focus on where nature and mental health intersect. It serves as a platform to tie together all the science and practical tools to live a happy, balanced life through nature. I also want to shine a light on why mental health should be part of the environmental movement and our daily lives, especially as we face challenges related to development, toxics, and climate change. Bottom line: we need to protect our environment for our mental health.
The Challenge
My family’s Eco happiness Challenge lasted for 100 consecutive days. You can view my daily posts on Facebook and Instagram that showcase each nature activity that we did during this time.
We smelled essential oils, drew whimsical birds, painted nature scenes, went for walks and bike rides around our neighborhood, swam in our pool, made nature-themed cards for the elderly to spread kindness, did yoga on our balcony, tried earthing for the first time, read nature poetry, enjoyed watching ducks paddling around our pool, planted seeds in our backyard, supported a local farm by purchasing a box of fresh produce, watched nature videos online such as one about hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail, and celebrated Earth Day.
Your family can join in on the challenge by grabbing your FREE 30-Day Eco Happiness Challenge Calendar. It is filled with fun and relaxing activities for your family to enjoy together without even leaving your own neighborhood. All of these activities can be done from inside your home, on your balcony, or in your backyard. You can start this challenge at any time, so sign up now to get your calendar right away. It is the perfect way to stimulate your own family’s interest and creativity around nature and help you build a nature connection habit.
Learn More
During this time, I was a guest on several podcasts to talk about my family’s experience with the Eco Happiness Challenge. Check out these episodes to learn more:
Mindful Mama Mentor Podcast—The Healing Power of Nature
Sunshine Parenting Podcast—The Eco Happiness Challenge
Apparently Parent Podcast—How to Connect to Nature During COVID-19
What are your family’s favorite ways to build a nature connection habit?
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I love this idea!! I too have been trying to spend more time in nature. This is a great reminder! 🙂
The new generation does not have the luxury of enjoying nature as it is concrete jungle all around. This should be an eye opener for all.
A good article
I watched you do this on Instagram and loved it! Your point about the importance of preserving our natural environment for the sake of mental health is so valid, and I love that you’ve added it to the conversation. Growing up, my mother took us kids camping several times a year. Nature was a HUGE part of our life. To this day, when I’m out hiking and soaking in the peaceful beauty and vitality of nature, I think of the incredible gift she gave me in teaching me to have a habit of connecting to nature. I’m sure your children will feel the same way.
Christine says
This is so great! Thank you!’
Roni says
I’ve never really consciously made the effort to connect with nature but I always notice that the times I’ve been surrounded by nature I’ve been most at peace - so I definitely need to start scheduling in time each day to really connect with nature.
Roni
http://www.myelevatedexistence.com
I love connecting with nature. It never was a thing when I was a kid; my parents didn’t camp or anything. Now i’m making up for it!
Great post. It ties in beautifully with my reading of Thoreau today. Nature is definitely a key to have more happiness in life.
Anu says
Very nice post!! I am also doing something similar to this as a nature challenge.
Eddie says
This is such a great Idea. Me and my kids love been outdoors, it really does have an impact on our mental health and well being. I always feel better after a walk round our local woodland area or the beach.
What a great idea for a challenge! My husband and I took the extra time at home to landscape our backyard by ourselves - typically we would have hired someone to do it. It was so good for us to be out in the dirt everyday for weeks on end!
Beth says
That sounds like an awesome idea of things to do with my daughter - doesn’t have to be a “lock-down” to start this!
Those sound like fun and great activities you did! I didn’t even think to do some of those. I love essential oils and wading in a pool. I might have to do that sometime this summer. Thanks for sharing - Josie xxx
Breanne says
This is a fantastic idea! Everyone should be doing this to some degree, especially now.
Summer says
I love these ideas! I really believe that being able to connect to the earth is so important to all of us. Thank you for sharing such great activities for families!
Lexi says
This is a great idea! Environmental wellness is sometimes looked over or forgotten about but plays just as big a part in our wellbeing as staying active is.
Abigaille says
Ohh! This is a great idea to connect with nature and also bring your family much more closer with nature! Hope we can find time to do this amidst the treath that this pandemic has brought us.
Nature and habits - two of my very favorite things. What a cool idea! I usually work outdoors and recreate outdoors on a daily basis. It’s tough to not be able to do either now.
This is a beautiful idea. I love what it means to become intentionally connected to nature!
Kristenne says
Wonderful and helpful tips!
Nick says
This is great! I believe we could all benefit more by turning to nature. I’ve been doing my morning barefoot walk in the park not for 2 months. It’s a beautiful way to start the day.
Another wonderful article and one I can relate to. Thanks so much for all the details.
Love love what you’re doing here. Nature is a great healer and I think it’s brilliant you’re sharing this with others.
What a glorious thing to do. I firmly believe that being out in nature is good for the mind and the body. So many good things come from nature. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
This is so awesome! I think I’m going to try something like this with my family. I’ve personally been working on getting more connected with nature. So, now it’s time to get everyone involved!
Thank you for sharing
Your family’s Eco Challenge resonates with me in many ways. I place an emphasis on my son and I going for a daily walk and during this time at home we’ve started gardening and raised butterflies. I will definitely look into the 30 day challenge.
Super! Let me know how it goes.
It’s so important to connect with nature, for both physical and mental benefits!
The Eco Happiness project sounds really nice with some really simple and easy to do ideas. I am an outdoorsy person and love sunshine and often my kids join me too. Might try some of the 30-day challenge ideas 🙂
Love this post!