Tuesday

"I am grounded in this moment."

Welcome to Tuesday! In today’s newsletter:

• What to know about community care

• How volunteering benefits us

• An easy way to give back to the planet

• Find the right organization to volunteer with

What Is Community Care?

You know that we love self-care! However, sometimes, to care for ourselves, we need the support of others. This is what “community care” is all about.

Community care teaches us that we can lean on one another in times of need.

The concept of community care has long been popular in nonprofit spaces. However, it’s beginning to become more popular in other spaces. Community care happens when one person does something that helps one or more people. It can be on a personal or larger level, like contributing your time to an organization through volunteering.

Self-care plays an important role in community care — remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup! When we fill our own cup, it gives us the energy to care for others, including those in our community.

Whether you give or receive community care, it can play a powerful role in helping us all become stronger together.

Volunteering Does More Than Help the Community — It’s Great for Us, Too

Volunteering is an incredible way to give back to your community and contribute your time to help others. It can be a transformative way to support organizations and individuals.

However, volunteering isn’t only a way to help others — it can be great for us, as well.

• Sense of community and relationships: Volunteering is a great way to practice social self-care. It connects us with others and helps foster a sense of community through new, fulfilling relationships.

• Boost mood: Isolation is a risk factor for depression. Volunteering engages us with others, which can in turn help boost our mood.

• Relieve stress: As we give or receive kindness, our bodies release oxytocin, a chemical that eases stress.

• Stay healthy: Research has found that in adults aged 60 and over, those who volunteered had better physical health compared to those who didn’t.

It feels good to give back — so enjoy the joy of helping others.

This New Toilet Paper Just Might Save the Planet

Every 24 hours, 27,000 trees are cut down to make toilet paper. To us, that feels like way too many — and Honeycomb agrees. That’s why this small, female-founded brand created luxury, three-ply toilet tissue made from bamboo. It feels just like regular high-end toilet paper but doesn’t harm trees.

So why bamboo? It’s the fastest-growing plant in the world — growing 100 times faster than the average tree — which means thousands of rolls can be produced in the time it takes for a single tree to grow back.

Even better? Code NTS30 will give new customers 30% off their first order for the next 24 hours.

Get started here.

Thank you to Honeycomb for sponsoring Note To Self. 

How to Find an Organization to Volunteer With

If you’re interested in volunteering, there are so many great organizations you can contribute your time to. But how do you know where to begin?

Here are some ways to find the right fit:

1. Think about your values: What’s important to you? Do you love animals? Are you passionate about helping neighbors in your community? Use these values when considering what organization you’d like to volunteer with.

2. Look for needs in your community: Nonprofits and other organizations will often share their need for volunteers’ time and resources. Check out social media or ask your friends to find where there’s a need.

3. Consider your skills: What skills do you have that you can share? Is there a special way you can give back?

Once you’ve taken time to think about the kind of organization where your skills might fit best, do some research and find a nonprofit or other institution that might be a good fit. Even if there’s not one close to you, there may be places across the country where you can contribute your time over the phone or online.

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: True! Research has shown the positive impacts of community — including that those with a sense of connectedness through community were happier.

• 🎁 Our Holiday Self-Care Picks: Don’t forget to check out our 2024 gift guide, a collection of thoughtful, wellness-focused products that help you feel your best, inside and out. Shop our gift guide here!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Volunteering isn't just great for our communities — giving to others is great for our well-being, too!

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!