The flowers are blooming, the weather is warming, and allergy season has kicked into high-gear - it certainly seems like spring has sprung. I am not sure about the rest of you, but aside from my watery eyes, I love spring. The warmer weather and the extra daylight in the evening begs me to take advantage of the opportunity to get outside. I also feel the tug to clean, refresh and renew certain aspects of my home. Spring is an excellent time to "spring clean" not only your home, but to take a look at your priorities, eating and exercise habits, and maybe make a few tweaks for a healthier and happier you. Maybe you made some New Year's resolutions, now is a perfect time to evaluate your progress. Below are just a few helpful tips to help you "spring" into action.
Go Outside and Take a Walk
As mentioned earlier, the weather is warmer and it stays lighter longer, so take advantage and get your feet moving. Taking a walk is a great opportunity to destress and exercise while watching the flowers and trees bloom and change each day. Make it a social event and go with a friend or spouse or enjoy your time alone while listening to chirping birds or your favorite music or podcast. Just get outside, get your feet moving and get some vitamin D.
Set Some Healthy Boundaries with Work and Social Media
Routines and activities change with the seasons so now is a good time to reflect and identify where you may need to make some changes to help your mental and physical health. Perhaps limiting scrolling on your phone or limiting time spent on social media can help improve your mental health. Be sure to set boundaries for work done at home vs. the office too. By setting healthy boundaries and limits, you are also likely creating more time and opportunity for you to exercise, plan a family activity, or attend a social function with a friend.
Eat Your Vegetables
There is nothing quite like eating fresh picked fruits and vegetables. While many of us think of summer as the prime time for these, America's favorite spring veggies are available in abundance and off the charts healthy. Typically, these are high in vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber. Here are a few of my spring favorites:
asparagus
broccoli
carrots
artichoke
arugula
avocados
cabbage
and many more
Tackle Spring Cleaning and Organizing
Research has shown that by organizing and cleaning your environment, you can become more productive, boost your mood, lower your stress and anxiety, and improve focus. Breaking cleaning and organizing into smaller projects (such as focusing on one room or just closets) helps you feel less overwhelmed while still making progress. Spring cleaning also provides you with the opportunity to help others. If you find you are not using a particular item or wearing some of your clothes, but they are still in good condition, donate these items to a local charity organization that can get it to someone who needs it.
Develop an Attitude of Gratitude
An attitude of gratitude means making the conscious habit of expressing appreciation on a regular basis for both big and small things. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what we have, not what we lack. This mindset is associated with many mental and physical benefits. This is something that should be practiced throughout the year and not just at springtime.