55 and Fit: Let’s Get Moving This 55th Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day! What started as a small campaign to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of air and water pollution has become the world’s largest protest and movement for environmental protection over the past 55 years. Founded in 1970 on April 22nd, Earth Day is a movement spearheaded by Wisconsin’s then-junior Senator Gaylord Nelson and a young activist named Denis Hayes. It has led to the creation of numerous groundbreaking environmental legislations, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and many more! While Earth Day has gotten us to care more about the environment’s health, let’s look at how getting outside and helping the planet improves our health as well!
An Indoor Generation:
Americans spend 86%-90% of their time indoors (residential, vehicle, restaurants, etc.).
Most spend 22-24 hours a day indoors.
People spend an hour or less in nature daily.
How a lack of outdoor activity hurts Knoxvillians:
A 2016 report found that 34.0% of adults in the City of Knoxville spent their leisure time being sedentary indoors.
Compared to 27.7% of Knox County, 41.2% of Knoxvillians are obese.
Knoxvillians also have a diabetes rate of 18.9%, which is double the rate for the entire Knox County.
Health Benefits of Outdoor Activities and Being in Nature:
Humans need sunlight and fresh air to maintain good health.
A 2019 report on how natural light and fresh air contribute to our wellbeing found that 69% of the people surveyed “feel more access to nature, daylight and fresh air has a positive effect on their mental wellbeing, and 71% report it positively affects their stress levels.”
Improves heart health, sleep cycles, physical fitness, immune function, and breathing.
Healthy and Fit Planet Earth. Source: Vecteezy
Actions for a Better Earth and a Better You:
Join/Host Your Own Community Cleanup
Walk/Bike to Destinations
Volunteer at Your Local Community Garden/Start Your Own
Increases plant & wildlife biodiversity.
Improves your hand strength, boosts your mood, and gives you a boost of vitamin D (from the sunlight).
Tree Planting
Increases carbon capture, temperature cooling, and wildlife habitat.
Improves your coordination, promotes balance, and boosts cardiovascular and immune health from digging!
Removing Invasive Plant Species
