(Family Features) There are countless ways you can make your contributions felt this Earth Day. If you’d like to join millions of others in the fight for the environment, consider one of the most popular gifts given back to the world each year: planting a tree.

With hundreds of millions of trees planted since the first celebration in 1970, per earthday.org, you can be part of one of the largest civic events on the planet. Consider these tips to properly plant a tree in your own yard.

Choose the Right Tree and Location
Depending on where you live and your desired outcome, choosing the right tree and planting location are critical factors. Larger shade trees help cool homes in warmer climates, evergreens provide privacy and fruit trees offer a grocery store right in your backyard. Consider your available space along with conditions that will impact the tree itself, such as soil conditions, sun exposure, drainage and more.

Dig Safely
Before digging, remember that proper tree placement requires factoring in underground utility lines, overhead power lines and proximity to sidewalks, driveways and homes. Dial 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, to locate underground utilities and consider contacting an arborist or tree care professional to make sure you’ve weighed all the important factors.

Break Ground
Dig a hole that’s roughly 2-3 times wider than the root ball of your tree and equally as deep as the root ball. Be sure the trunk flare (where the trunk expands at the base of the tree) is partially visible when planted. Remove any wrapping or cover from the root ball and trunk. Lift from the root ball, not the trunk, to place in the hole then straighten vertically and firmly backfill soil around the root ball to stabilize.

Add Mulch
Mulching helps maintain moisture and improve soil conditions while controlling weed growth. Place a 2-3-inch layer in a 3-foot radius around the base of the tree without touching the trunk itself.

Keep Soil Moist
Make sure your tree has enough water to grow strong by keeping the soil moist. Typically, this means watering just once per week, barring rain, but may require more frequency during especially hot weather.

Find more tips for giving back to Mother Earth at eLivingtoday.com.

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SOURCE:
eLivingtoday.com

5 strategies to combat stressful triggers

(Family Features) Stress, the physical or mental response to external causes like overwhelming work assignments or difficult life moments, can add unnecessary pressure to your day to day. While everyone feels stress from time to time, when left untreated or unrecognized, it can begin to wreak havoc in the form of anxiety.

In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, consider these strategies to combat stress from the National Institutes of Mental Health.

Learn Your Triggers
Different events and situations cause stress for different people. Knowing what triggers your stress to kick in – mounds of office paperwork, important financial decisions or hectic mornings, for example – can help you plan and prepare for stress-inducing moments.

Exercise and Eat Right
Maintaining physical health can be beneficial for mental health, too. Find time to do exercises you enjoy like walking, jogging, yoga or playing a sport. Identifying activities that bring you joy can make it easier to fit 30-60-minute workouts into your schedule without adding even more stress. Complement your workout routine with nutritional meals that help you stay on track with your fitness goals.

Practice Relaxation
Whether you find inner peace through journaling, breathing exercises, reading or some other form of slowing down, find what works for you and prioritize fitting it into your daily schedule. Relaxing activities help you slow down the pace of life, providing a chance to reset by doing something you enjoy.

Get Enough Sleep
A lack of quality sleep can add to stress. Creating a bedtime routine can increase your sleep habits and help you achieve the expert-recommended 7-9 hours per night. Put away electronics, which can interfere with your ability to calm your mind, and find an activity that puts you at ease like reading a book or listening to relaxing music. Ensure your bedroom is optimized for comfort by making it cool, dark and quiet.

Create a Network of Support
Everyone experiences stress. Reach out to family members and close friends you can lean on in stressful and frustrating moments. Share your feelings and encourage others to do the same, which can increase trust and help everyone in your circle cope in a positive way.

Find more ways to combat stress and care for your mental health at eLivingtoday.com.

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eLivingtoday.com

(Family Features) For those with asthma, understanding what can trigger symptoms is a part of getting the condition under control. Some of the same things that cause allergies can worsen symptoms, but not every allergen is a trigger for everyone with asthma. The places where you live, learn, work and play can expose you to common asthma triggers like pet dander, dust mites, pests like rodents and cockroaches, mold, cigarette smoke, pollen, air pollution and more. Managing triggers is just one part of controlling asthma, however. Work with your health care provider to make an asthma action plan and keep track of your symptoms and where you are when they occur. Learn more at nhlbi.nih.gov/BreatheBetter.

SOURCE:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute