To me, Earth Day 2026 is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a vision of thriving communities where homes are powered entirely by solar energy, and there are gardens inside that breathe life into our hallways. But there are other ways to go green, too.
MATC held a Go Green, Make Green event on April 20 on the third floor of the H-Building. It promoted a variety of pathways at MATC that “respect the environment and make real money by earning digital badges, certificates, technical diplomas and associate degrees.”
While careers and the environment are important, positive change starts with a single, quiet act: taking off your shoes. There is medicine in the ground—a practice called grounding—that reconnects us to the earth. When you walk barefoot in the grass, dirt or sand, notice how it feels. This is a mindfulness practice and there are many benefits to it, like reducing stress.
Other advantages for grounding include:
- Stabilizing your nervous system, which helps reduce chronic inflammation.
- Improved sleep and more energy. Deeper, more restful sleep boosts your energy levels.
- Time in nature reduces feelings of loneliness and builds a deeper connection to your purpose.
