Expanding your education and perspective is something we should all strive to do. That being said, actively pursuing those things can feel like a bit of a chore, so I'm here to suggest you stay in bed and passively pursue learning and a fresh outlook, by simply watching a documentary on Netflix. If you don't have Netflix, please join the 21st century and sign up (or hop on your friend's subscription). Here are the top ten documentaries I've either watched and loved, or are planning on watching. Click any of the links to learn more!

Watched and Loved:

1. The Island President (2011)

This documentary, directed by Jon Shenk, addresses an issue I care very much about: global climate change. Following the former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, this documentary makes climate change personal by showing the impact rising waters has on this small island nation's citizens. http://theislandpresident.com/

2. Blackfish (2013)

This documentary, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, follows the story of Tilikum, a captive Orca that has taken the lives of several people, and explores man's relationship to these massive, highly intelligent animals. http://www.blackfishmovie.com/

3. Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2015)

This one is directed by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn. Everyone is talking about this documentary, so I'd be surprised if you haven't heard of it already. Let me be the first to tell you that the hype is worth it. Cowspiracy opened my eyes to so much regarding choices we can make in our everyday life to save this planet, and I highly recommend giving it a try. http://www.cowspiracy.com/

4. Zeitgeist: The Movie (2007)

This documentary, directed by Peter Joseph, touches on religion, 9/11, and the corruption of the banking system. This was another eye-opening documentary that shed light on some events, especially WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War, that I never really understood before. I would recommend treating this documentary as a way to explore different perspectives, not necessarily taking every word for absolute truth. http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

5. Forks Over Knives (2011)

This marvelous documentary, directed by Lee Fulkerson, is a must watch for anyone with any health problems (which is basically all of America). Seriously, if you struggle with insomnia, weight problems, anxiety, depression, low energy, chronic tiredness, colds and/or the flu, you have to give this documentary a watch and start making positive changes to your lifestyle to drastically improve your quality of life. http://www.forksoverknives.com/

6. First Position (2011)

First Position, directed by Bess Kargman, was more of an entertaining documentary than an educating one, and the six-year-old inside of me who dreamed of being a ballerina, enjoyed every minute of it. The documentary follows six ballet students as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix. I'll never stop being amazed at how the human body is capable of creating such magnificent art. http://www.balletdocumentary.com/

On my "To Watch List:"

7. The True Cost (2015)

The True cost is directed by Andrew Morgan. Being a lover of clothes, I have known for a while that fast fashion and environmental/social responsibility just don't go hand in hand. I want to get more of the facts behind the fashion industry and the effects it has on the planet and people involved. http://truecostmovie.com/

8. Living on One Dollar (2013)

This one is directed by Zach Ingrasci, Chris Temple, and Sean Leonard, and has been in my Netflix queue for a while now. The documentary follows four friends as they experiment with living on $1 a day for 8 weeks in rural Guatemala. http://livingonone.org/livingonone/

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9. Vanishing of the Bees (2009)

Vanishing of the Bees, directed by Maryam Henein and George Langworthy and narrated by Ellen Page, examines the disappearance of honeybees and what this means for the future of the planet. Knowing that bees are one of the most essential insects on this planet makes me wonder why more people aren't talking about how the vanishing of the bees could end life on Earth. http://www.vanishingbees.com/

10. Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (2013)

This documentary, directed by Angela Sun, deals with the issue of plastic consumption and where it all goes, thus driving watchers to become more conscious consumers. "Every single piece of plastic that has ever been created since the 19th century is still somewhere on our planet. So if it never goes away, where does it go?" http://plasticparadisemovie.com/

These are just a list of documentaries that interest me, but if nothing caught your eye in this list, that doesn't mean that documentaries aren't for you. Browse around on Netflix and you might just find a film you're interested in learning more about.