Earth Month Ecochallenge 2026

Ecochallenge.org

April 1 - April 30, 2026

Rylei's points

0 TODAY
105 THIS WEEK
474 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

24

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

320

gallons of water

saved
UP TO

34

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

30

expressions of gratitude

shared
UP TO

33

random acts of kindness

completed
UP TO

235

minutes

spent learning

Rylei's actions

Community

Express Gratitude and Random Acts of Kindness

Small acts of kindness and gratitude can brighten someone's day and create a positive ripple effect. I will express gratitude to 2 people or perform 2 random acts of kindness to spread joy and connection.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal

Go Get a Check Up

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal

Explore Resources for Managing Anxiety

Anxiety can be overwhelming, but resources and strategies can help. I will spend 15 minutes exploring resources that help manage anxiety and stress to support my mental and psychological well being.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Take Shorter Showers

Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal

Enjoy Fruits and Veggies

Eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is a simple way to boost our personal health and support a more resilient food system. I will prepare and enjoy 2 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Soil and Food

Enjoy a Meatless Meal

Producing 1 kg of beef emits as much greenhouse gas as driving 150 miles, meanwhile, 1 kg of veggies or grains leaves a much lighter footprint! This week, I’ll shrink my climate impact by having 1 meatless meals meals each day.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal

What motivated you to schedule or attend your check-up, and how did it make you feel afterward that you completed this action?
Rylei Sanders 4/15/2026 6:38 PM

I just needed a general check-up, which at times I put off. Sometimes going to the doctor makes me anxious that I will find out something is wrong. But I have to tell myself that what would be worse is that if something is wrong, and I never went to the doctor to get it dealt with soon enough, then it becomes a larger issue. After going, my stress is elevated after being assured I am healthy. Now it's one less thing on my to-do list!

Read More
- Anika Rajesh 4/15/2026 7:20 PM
  
  Thank you for sharing! If it helps, a lot of us experience similar anxieties with doctor visits because of the fear of learning something bad. But as you mentioned, it's always better to have that yearly check-in to make sure we're healthy and can catch problems early on.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal

How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet? What fruits or vegetables did you try this week, and which was your favorite?
Rylei Sanders 4/04/2026 6:14 PM

I can tell that my body feels much better when ensuring that I am getting a good amount of fruits and vegetables in my daily diet. It can help others by buying their fresh produce, providing them with a profit for their time and product. Eating more fruits and vegetables is good for the planet as it can aid in reducing water, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions. Also, producing meat requires more resources and energy than fruits and vegetables. By choosing a more plant-based diet, we can conserve resources.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal

What resource or strategy stood out to you the most, and how could it help you strengthen your resilience when you face stress or uncertainty?
Rylei Sanders 4/04/2026 6:08 PM

Today I read two articles, one from the Mayo Clinic, which stuck out to me. The text talked about different forms of anxiety and listed many tips on how to negate the negative feelings that come with it. A strategy that I find valuable is to understand the triggers that start the anxiety. This was we can avoid the situations or thoughts that provoke the bad mindset. Another tip I liked was to keep active. This is something I already try to do, but I found it valuable to learn about why it improves anxiety and the psychology behind it. From now on, I plan to analyze the things that create anxiety and consciously try to avoid them. Additionally, I will continue exercising as a form of stress relief even more as I now know all of the benefits.

Read More
- Angelica Herculano (Correct) 4/04/2026 8:19 PM
  
  I think it is awesome that you have a plan to analyze triggers of anxiety and you will continue to exercise as a stress reliever. You got this!!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

How did expressing gratitude or performing acts of kindness impact you and the recipient? What role do small acts of kindness play in creating stronger communities?
Rylei Sanders 4/02/2026 9:16 AM

Not only does expressing acts of kindness make the participant feel good, but it also benefits those who are receiving the kindness. Today I cleaned out my mom's car for her, and I will be celebrating my aunt's birthday later this evening, so I got her flowers, cupcakes, and a gift. I feel good because I am using my ability to do something for someone else, and it makes them feel appreciated. Doing small acts, even to those in the community, will allow for better relationships and encourage more kindness all around.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Soil and Food

What meal did you enjoy the most, and what alternatives did you try? Did anything surprise you about how satisfying plant-based options can be?
Rylei Sanders 4/01/2026 12:59 PM

Since today is day one of my challenge, it will be my first time consciously avoiding meat for at least one meal daily. For breakfast this morning, I had maple cinnamon oatmeal with apple slices and a small orange. I already have this breakfast often, as I find it delicious. I haven't tried any plant-based options yet, but I do plan on it!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

How did shortening your showers affect your awareness of water conservation? What other water-saving practices can you adopt in your daily routine?
Rylei Sanders 4/01/2026 12:55 PM

I usually spend around 10-15 minutes in the shower. I just enjoy being in there as I find it very relaxing, and the hot water makes my muscles feel better. After taking a much shorter shower, it puts into perspective how much water is wasted when I'm just kind of standing around letting the water flow. If I want to relax, I surely should consider taking more baths instead of showering for long periods of time. I will also practice shutting the water off when brushing my teeth.

Read More