Paddling + River Clean-up = Good News in Hard Times
Are you hungry for good news? We are, too. Kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, packrafting…these are fun and relaxing.
But while we’re on the water, let’s clean up our lakes and rivers and add some good news to this hard season we’re in!
Why Paddling Brightens Our Outlook on Life
It’s well-documented that both exercise and being in nature boost our overall health, including our immune system. Paddling does both—it gets us moving and it gets us in nature.
These overall health benefits aren’t limited to our physical health, though. Activity in a natural environment, like a river or lake, also boosts our mental and emotional outlook.
That’s very good news in times like these when we’re dealing with unknowns like COVID-19, and with tragic knowns like racial injustice and civil unrest.
We care about all these things. But sometimes we just need a break from the news to “fill up our cup.” Paddling is a super way to do that.
How Cleaning Up Our Rivers and Lakes Will Do the Same
When we’re heading out on the water, how about if we stow a plastic garbage bag along and clean trash out of the water and along the shore when we see it?
It won’t surprise any of us who volunteer regularly that studies show helping others benefits us, too.
(photo courtesy of Gulf Coast Kayak)
The article 7 Scientific Benefits of Helping Others says:
“Volunteering your time, money, or energy to help others doesn’t just make the world better—it also makes you better. Studies indicate that the very act of giving back to the community boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being.”
The author goes on to list some of these ways:
- Helping others can help you live longer.
- Helping others is contagious.
- Some find it helps with chronic pain.
- It lowers blood pressure.
- Volunteering in ways like water clean-up promotes positive behavior in teens. What a great way to teach your kids to serve others without any return.
- Helping others is deeply satisfying and gives us a sense of purpose.
Organized Waterway Clean-Up Example
A super example of an organization that took water cleanup to a new level is GreenKayak, a not-for-profit based in Copenhagen, Denmark. They’ve built an organization that gives people free use of their kayaks in exchange for collecting trash in the local waterways.
The GreenKayak team pulling trash out of their local waters
So, the next time you’re out on the water paddling, bring along a trash bag (and maybe a pair of gloves) and contribute to both your community and yourself by cleaning up along the way.
You’ll be adding good news to your life, those you bring along, and those who get to enjoy cleaner rivers and lakes!
Our friendly Customer Service team is waiting for your paddle questions. Contact them today: 715-755-3405 • [email protected]
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