Regina D

Washington College

"To encourage and promote good health, both in the environment around me and in myself!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
466 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

15

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

120

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

360

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

495

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

15

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

3.3

pounds of CO2

have been saved

Regina's actions

Energy

Replace Manual Thermostats

I will replace manual thermostats with programmable ones.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Take Control

Both systemic and personal sustainability are important! I will develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater

I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Tend a Garden

I will tend to a garden each day, work on starting one, or find a local community garden to get involved with.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 20-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Happiness

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Power Down the Computer

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Water Bottle

While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

Regina D 4/26/2020 7:26 PM

At home, the only real barrier is me being lazy! So it's not as big of an issue now. But out an about, it gets hard to find water fountains. Sometimes, the ones I do see look like they haven't been cleaned in a while, so I don't always feel comfortable using them. I can make reusable bottles a permanent habit by not being afraid of drinking tap or just filling the bottle more. Maybe even bringing a second reusable bottle!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Mug

Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

Regina D 4/26/2020 7:23 PM

The main thing for me was portability. I generally prefer mugs, but it's hard to carry a mug to class. I've done it before, but trying not to spill on the bricks is a bit tough. Now that I'm at home, I use mugs all the time!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater

How do you think climate change will affect your region’s water supply? Think about the effects of weather, storms, salinity, and sea level rise, among other changes. How can you find out more about climate change’s impact to your region's water?

Regina D 4/26/2020 7:21 PM

Climate change will affect the water supply because it will likely increase salinity levels by a considerable amount and storms (hurricanes) will become very harsh. However, climate change is not a topic I am well versed, so I will need to read up on it, especially on how it will impact my water supply. I can do so by reading a variety of informational, sourced articles.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Happiness

How does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?

Regina D 4/26/2020 6:55 PM

Practicing gratitude can be inspirational. Become the change you want to see in the world. Be grateful to the earth and give back to her.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Tend a Garden

Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

Regina D 4/26/2020 6:51 PM

There is a little area on the side of my house that has been an empty 2x10-ish stretch of dirt for the past 5 or so years. While I'm home all the time now I have been tilling and working at the ground so it is suitable for a garden! (I'm planting flowers!!) I've gotten really dedicated to making sure it can sustain life, and I think that that is how we need to be with ourselves. Dedicated and loving in order for something beautiful to grow. And given plenty of water!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Plant an Herb Garden

Consider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?

Regina D 4/26/2020 6:49 PM

We have a little collection of old glass and recycled plastic bottles on the windowsill to grow basil and rosemary, and I'm working on a small outdoor garden for flowers.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Replace Manual Thermostats

How do you anticipate replacing your thermostats for programmable ones will positively impact your life?

Regina D 4/26/2020 6:46 PM

I genuinely don't know. I haven't given it the most thought, but an immediate positive impact I can see is that I can program it to be in a neutral state that does not require much energy when the house is empty. I can also set it so the house can cool down or warm up by the time I'm home, so it won't have to work overtime if someone gets home and ramps it up or down.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Eat Mindfully

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How do your eating experiences differ when practicing mindfulness?

Regina D 4/24/2020 8:18 PM

I generally eat with other people around, so I get to talk to them about how their day has been or what they're plans are instead of us all looking at our phones and ignoring each other. Meals are a great time for making connections, and it's much more happy and enjoyable when it's with friends and people you love. Also, a great time to make new friends (except now because social distancing is important)!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Power Down the Computer

What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

Regina D 4/24/2020 8:14 PM

Open the windows! When it's sunny and bright, turn off the lights and let in fresh air and natural lighting brighten up the room. Maybe there's even a breeze to keep it cool B-)

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Go for a Daily Walk

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

Regina D 4/24/2020 8:10 PM

When walking you pay attention to your surroundings in a different way than when driving. When driving, it's always eyes on the road, what's going to cross the road, what's going to stop me on the road... when walking you can really take time to slow down and look at nature. What kind of tree is blooming in my neighbor's yard, or wow look how beautiful their front door is! Driving is observation... but walking is immersion.

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