#StayHomeShredLater: Staying Healthy and Happy at Home

As we navigate through this unprecedented time during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are grateful for our national network of chapters, volunteers, staff and members who are dedicated to the protection of our ocean, waves and beaches. We encourage everyone to #StayHomeShredLater and will continue to work at local, state and national levels to defend clean water and healthy beaches through this storm.

While at home like us, you are probably asking yourself, how can I still do my part to keep our oceans and coasts healthy? We have compiled a list of things you can do at home to stay #OceanFriendly while we work together to flatten the curve. Don't worry, we also have a list of fun things you can do at home to stay mentally and physically healthy as well!

Plastic Pollution:
Use this time to do a self-audit of all the single-use plastic that accumulates in your household and use our online resources to help reduce your plastic footprint. Below are some plastic reduction resources from Surfrider's blog.

Tea Bags & 9 Other Sneaky Sources of Plastic
Reach Your 2020 Resolution to Reduce Plastic Use

Ocean Friendly Restaurants:
If you choose to order take-out, consider ordering from an Ocean Friendly Restaurant! Surfrider works with a network of over 600 Ocean Friendly Restaurants throughout the country to provide more than 60 million plastic-free meals a year and these restaurants need your support now more than ever. Below is a link to an interactive map to help you find an OFR near you. We have also put together a resource guide to check out, below.

Ocean Friendly Restaurants interactive Map
The Secret to More Sustainable Takeout

Ocean Friendly Gardens:
The Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) program is the Surfrider Foundation's volunteer-run landscape education, hands-on training and advocacy program. While you are practicing social distancing, this could be a great opportunity to start converting your garden to an OFG. Later this week, we will be posting some helpful tips for how you can convert your garden as we encourage everyone to #StayHomeShredLater.

Ocean Friendly Gardens program

Tips from the Surfrider staff to stay healthy and happy at home

Like many of you, Surfrider staff are working remote. We have put together a list of things that have been helping us get through the days and exercise our bodies and minds in our living rooms and backyards. Below you will find some of our favorite recommendations, however, you can find a complete list here! If you have been doing other things that have contributed to staying happy and healthy, let us know at info@surfrider.org. We will continue to update this list so check back frequently.

Do a free online workout class:
If you want to keep your body in shape for surfing, here are some options: 
https://magicseaweed.com/news/6-exercises-that-will-help-improve-your-surfing/9819/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z16vQhTxns
https://www.surfer.com/features/exercises-to-improve-your-surfing

Read a new book, below are some of our favorites:
Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard
Good Is The New Cool by Afdhel Aziz
Barbarian Days by William Finnegan
The Code by Shaun Tomson
Swell by Liz Clark
The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis by Christina Figueres and Tom Rivett Carnac
Junk Raft by Marcus Eriksen
Plastic Ocean by Charles Moore
Surf is Where You Find It by Gerry Lopez

Try meditating every day, its a great way to clear your head and regain focus.

Host a virtual happy hour or get together: 
Google hangouts, Zoom and FaceTime are all great ways to stay connected to your friends and family when you can’t get t.

Check out live music streams:
There are tons of great music live streams to keep you rocking through the day. Our friend Jack Johnson recorded an amazing set from his home this Saturday for #TogetherAtHome in Support of World Health Organization.
Check out Jack's live stream
NPR has a great list of streaming concerts also

Put a live stream of your favorite beach up on your TV: 
We know it might be tough to watch a sunny day at the beach but at least you can feel like you're at the beach while you're at home. 

top photo by Morgan Maassen