Spring has officially sprung. We finally have more daylight hours, more sunshine, warmer temps, and beauty all around us. If you’ve found yourself in a winter slump…now is your chance to “spring” yourself back to life with a refresh. Not in an overwhelming way, but with small, simple habits and mindset shifts that help you to feel like your best self.
- Get Moving Outdoors- The best place to start is outside! Enjoy the sunshine, the birds chirping, the flowers blooming, and all the beauty that spring brings. The cheapest and easiest option is to simply go for a walk. Grab some headphones and listen to your favorite tunes or podcasts, or my personal favorite…catch up on your “to-be-read” list and listen to an audiobook. I’ll give you a list of my all time favorite audiobooks on Audible. Spring walks are also a great time to grab your favorite people for a “walk and talk” Some of the best conversations happen on walks. So get with your significant other, one of your besties, a favorite co-worker, or one of your kids and spend some quality time while crushing your daily step goal. Burn some extra calories by adding a weighted vest to your walks. It’s a rewarding extra challenge that I like to add to my walks. These walks will boost your mood, improve your energy, and help you sleep better.
Walks have become part of my daily routine and it’s a habit that I’ve become quite fond of. If I don’t have one of my favorite people to walk with me, I grab my Airpods or my Bose QuietComfort headphones and I listen to audiobooks on Audible(start your free trial with this link). Some of my all time favorites include: The Wedding People, Lessons in Chemistry, What Alice Forgot, A Man Called Ove, Theo of Golden, My Husband’s Wife, and Atmosphere….I could go on and on!
This Fuff weighted vest is great because the weight is adjustable and it fits very comfortably. You can start with a lower amount of weight then add to it as you build your strength and stamina. I also use this Zelus weighted vest. I love the comfort of this one…it’s great if you’re sure about the weight you want, as it is not adjustable on the weight. Both vests have the weight very evenly distributed and are great to add to any walking routine.
Of course no walk is complete without comfortable shoes! New Balance is my go-to brand and I absolutely love these Fresh Foam 680 V8s!
- Hydration Reset- If you know you don’t drink enough water, now is the time to fix that problem. Proper hydration impacts your energy levels, digestion, skin, and even your mood. Pro tip…water itself sometimes isn’t enough…your body needs electrolytes too. My favorite electrolyte boost is LMNT. They offer great flavors and are easy for on-the-go. Grab your favorite bottle or tumbler and get to drinking. If you don’t have a favorite cup or bottle…I’ll share my faves. Owala FreeSip, Stanley Quencher, If you need reminders to drink more water…this BOOST bottle is for you!
- Simple and Balanced Nutrition- Stop with the snacks that do nothing for your wellness. Reach for snacks that love you back. The artificial ingredients, food dye, and ingredients you can barely pronounce are doing NOTHING for your wellness. Instead reach for foods that nourish your body. Fruits, veggies, protein, and labels with few (and easily pronounceable) ingredients. These IQ Bars for example, have clean ingredients, great taste, and offer a great source of fiber and protein. Food is fuel…fuel your body wisely. These are some simple swaps to start with. Don’t overhaul your entire diet (yet), start with small and attainable improvements. Try cooking at home and making your own food. This is the way to take ultimate control of what feeds your body.
- Reset Your Daily Routine- Get up a little earlier for some time to yourself. Set a bedtime and stick to it. Good rest refuels you and is necessary to your overall wellness. Create simple morning and evening routines that focus on making yourself feel better. Join an exercise class or a walking/running club. Devote yourself to going at least a couple times a week at first. Make yourself to-do lists each day to get yourself in the habit of your new spring routines.
- Don’t Forget Mental Wellness- Your mindset matters as much as your healthy habits. Spring is a perfect time to reset not only physically, but also mentally. Get yourself a daily devotional, a journal, or an inspiring coloring book. Listen to or read a self-help book with a theme of anything that you might struggle with or you would like to improve. A little quiet time to slow down can make a big difference. Yoga, meditation, or stretching can be great ways to unwind. Getting yourself in a positive mindset can do wonders for your overall wellness. Get your mental health in check and everything else starts falling into place.
You don’t need to make all these changes all at once. Choose one or two of these healthy habits to get you started and then build from there. Small, intentional changes done with consistency, can completely shift how you feel this spring.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (NIV): “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come…”