Our first season of the year is spring. The world is coming to life again. The darkness of winter gives way to lengthening days, mood-boosting sun and plants start to burst open with colour and a new confidence. It’s a time of growth and abundance.
I often feel that we should set our new ‘year’ resolutions at the beginning of Springtime rather than January when everything is dark, and we don’t have the energy or time for new projects. We might have a bit more clarity about what we want to achieve during the year and, more importantly, the energy to implement it. It’s a great time to start planning new experiences.
Our overall wellbeing is linked to nature. The amount of daylight, the temperature and the foods we eat all contribute to our wellbeing so a bit of physical and mental ‘spring cleaning’ is a great idea. Clear out your physical and emotional house of all the stuff you no longer need. Get your windows open both literally and metaphorically! What old, stagnant energy are you holding on to that no longer serves you? Have a think about what you could let go of. It’s a time of new beginnings and new habits and to reset the energy in your space.
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Here are some great ways to embrace springtime:
Start moving and get outside!
Make a resolution to get outside every day. The increased sunlight means we have more time to do a wider range of different outdoor activities. Walking and cycling are fantastic ways to connect with what’s going on outside but don’t forget to do some stretches before you start to release muscle tension, especially if you have not done any exercise for a while.
Research shows that our health improves with exercise. It affects our hormone levels, increasing the feelgood hormones (endorphins) and regulating the production of stress hormones (cortisol). Really look at what nature has to offer when you are outside – you will notice the plants, the birds, the sky and feel the sun on your face. Soak it all up.
Nourish your brain
Drink plenty of water so that you stay hydrated. Eat healthy seasonal products such as leafy greens such as kale, chard and spinach. These are slightly bitter greens and are great for your digestion and cleanse your liver. Asparagus, leeks, broccoli & peas are also fantastic. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches us that when the energy is flowing smoothly through the liver, our emotions run smoothly too. You could also boost your liver by drinking about 2L of water a day. Try to avoid highly processed foods which contain no nutritional value whatsoever and are laden with toxins which take a heavy toll on your liver.
Get some quality sleep
We tend to wake earlier in spring / summer as our natural body clock (our circadian rhythm) is closely connected to the sun. Try not to use an alarm clock so that you wake naturally. Get out into the daylight to expose your eyes to natural light. If you feel like a nap during the day to reset, then go for it. It’s always a good thing to switch off all devices a couple of hours before sleep.
I hope you find these tips and ideas helpful. Above all, enjoy the beauty of the new season.