Happy Spring Kim,

Anyone who has known me for even a short amount of time knows two things about me:
I am always cold, and I love hot, humid weather.

Yes, I know… I might be a little crazy. 

So you can imagine how happy I am that spring has arrived! This winter has been wild with snow two years in a row here in “South” Carolina. At this point I feel like someone may have misrepresented the climate when we moved here.

But spring makes up for it. The new green growth, warmer temperatures, longer days, and more sunshine make everything feel alive again. And best of all, we can spend more time outside without wearing five layers just to survive.

It felt fitting to spend the month of April “outside”—figuratively in this newsletter, but also literally. In fact, I’m writing this while sitting on the catio enjoying a perfect 70-degree afternoon.

Earth Month 

April is Earth Month, and April 22nd is Earth Day. The movement began in 1970 when people across the United States protested environmental degradation. Those efforts helped inspire new laws protecting our air, water, and land.

It makes sense to care for the place that gives and sustains life. Without the Earth, we simply have nowhere else to go.

Nature is deeply connected to lifestyle medicine as well.

The earth:

• Provides the food that nourishes us
• Establishes the rhythm of day and night for activity and rest
• Gives us places to move our bodies
• Creates spaces to connect with people we love
• And fills us with awe at the Creator’s design

Almost like God knew exactly what He was doing. Science is just now backing up what He knew all along.

When I look back over the years, I see how much our lives have changed—from cooking habits to sleep routines, from living in Pennsylvania to South Carolina, and from my work as a physical therapist to lifestyle medicine coaching.

Through all of that, Glen and I have tried to be mindful of our impact on the earth.

We recycle when we can, turn off lights when we leave a room, avoid wasting water, and have even ventured into the world of solar energy more than once. We plant things that support our health and also help birds and wildlife. And we try to care for the soil and land with as few chemicals as possible.

When you put these small choices together, they lead toward a life that is cleaner, more connected to nature, and often less inflammatory for our bodies as well.

That is my hope—for people and for the planet.

Simple Ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

In honor of Earth Month, what small change could you make that might have a big impact?

Ideas include:

• Recycling when possible
  • Unplugging electronics when not in use
  • Hanging laundry outside in the sunshine
  • Planting native plants that support birds and pollinators
  • Joining a local cleanup for a roadway or waterway
  • Using natural cleaning methods instead of harsh chemicals
  • Starting a compost pile to turn waste into garden fertilizer
  • Switching to a reusable water bottle
  • Trying a meatless meal or day

Many of these ideas cost little or nothing, but together they can make a meaningful difference.

And if you want to go big—like solar power—that’s exciting too! We’ve certainly had a learning curve there.

Special thanks to Kenson with Monument Solar and Riley with Bigfoot Power Solutions & RV Repair for helping guide us along the off-grid solar journey.

What’s Next

Next week we will look at the connection between the health of the earth and the health of humans.

Connecting With Me

If you are ready to reduce pain and inflammation in your life, please reach out and schedule a Find Your Energy Discover Session with me. If you are not quite sure yet and want more info and see what lifestyle medicine is all about you can book a Virtual Coffee Chat if at a distance and a Local Coffee Chat if you are in the Charleston SC area.

Quote of Week

“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility.” – Wendell Berry

May you find some spring in your step,

Kim

Hope and Healing Lifestyle Coach

Website: hopeandhealinglifestyle.com

Email: kim@hopeandhealinglifestyle.com