Mackenzie Smith 901

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, classmate, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 3 conversations.

I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.

I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 60 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

I will spend 20 minutes per day practicing Mindfulness.

We may find more meaning and joy in life when our actions are aligned with our personal values. I will determine what my top 3-5 core values are so that I can better align my actions with them.

I will spend 15 minutes reading the Ecochallenge feed each day and giving high fives or commenting on posts by people who I don't know, but whose content inspires or interests me.

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI) if available to me through campus or local clinics.

Processed foods can be less nutritious for our bodies and take more energy and water to produce, which can create more waste, pollution, and may offer fewer health benefits. I will enjoy 2 meals per day free of processed foods.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about food apartheid and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh food in my region.

Regular health check-ups help prevent problems before they start. I will schedule or attend a medical, dental, or mental health check-up to take care of my well-being. I will develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 20 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.

I will report or fix leaking faucets in my dorm, apartment, or shared space to prevent water waste—up to 9 gallons (34 L) per day per faucet.

I will spend 20 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

I will host a watch party to screen a documentary about an issue that matters to me.

I will spend 10 minutes learning about the perils of fast fashion and will choose thrift stores, clothing swaps, or second-hand options when I shop for clothes.

I will look for simple ways to reduce water waste, like reporting slow-to-heat faucets or learning how insulation helps in homes and dorms.

I will spend 5 minutes learning which plants support local native pollinators and grow some in containers, a campus garden, or at home if space allows.

I will sign up for a car-sharing service or coordinate ride shares with roommates, classmates, or campus peers to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate. I will keep 2 containers out of the landfill each day.

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottles from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will make sure I'm registered to vote. While I'm at it, I’ll sign up to help others register too!

I will watch 1 documentaries about systemic racism to learn more about how it affects us and the planet.