Spring is a time of renewal. As we look outside, we see the tiny new leaf buds on the trees slowly unfurl as they get ready to start a new season, the flowers showing off their colors and they turn towards the warmth of the sunlight and butterflies and bunnies literally jumping and frolicking as they too embrace the season. It is as if everyone agrees that it is time to wake up, energize and shed the sluggishness of the winter months. Here are a few simple tips that you can use to rejuvenate:
1. This is the season for spring cleaning.
Just as you dive in to get rid of the clothes you no longer need or wear, consider giving the same amount of attention to your body as you shed the habits and foods that weighed you down in the winter months. Eat the foods that are in season. Mother Nature knows that we need the deep cleaner of all deep cleaners, antioxidants, so this is her time to shine. Strawberries, asparagus, limes, carrots and kale are high antioxidant foods that are each packed with their own unique qualities. These foods are not only high in antioxidants such as vitamin C and flavonoids but also high in water and fiber, all needed to help naturally detox and renew the body. They help to keep the colon functioning at its best. This is a perfect time to take advantage of your local farmer’s market. Not only will you be supporting your local economy but you will getting foods at their freshest and most nutritious
2. Take your exercise routine outdoors.
Take advantage of the cool weather and the vivid colors to both brighten your mood and reduce your stress levels. Spending time in nature is one of the best stress busters there is. Couple this with the ability of exercise to enhance moods, improve symptoms of depression, improve thinking and even renew our brain cells, you may have one of the best combination for renewing and rejuvenating the body. Be open and creative when thinking exercise. If you enjoy biking, hiking or simply taking a brisk walk in the park, this is the season for you. Want to get the heart pumping even more, add light hand weights and exaggerate your arm movements.
3. Declutter and simplify.
Studies say decluttering your surrounding can help to declutter your thoughts, leaving you feeling lighter and freer than you have in a long time. This is also a perfect time to simplify your pantry and refrigerator. Keep it as fresh as possible. Throw our expired items, toss processed foods. Remember, mother nature is renewing and so should you
4. Challenge yourself to detox from negative thoughts.
This is probably one of the most challenging ones. However, we know that consistency is one of the best ways to establish a habit. We also know that mornings are the best time to establish a routine. Try establishing a morning routine that focuses on gratitude. An easy way to do this is to create a gratitude jar. Every morning when you wake up, take 4 deep breaths in and out, relax and focus on something that makes you feel a deep sense of gratitude. Write it down and put it in the jar. As the jar fills up over time, you can see a visual representation of all the times that are going well in your life.
5. Challenge yourself to learn something new or explore a new hobby.
Perhaps you have always wanted to start your own garden, train for a mini marathon or challenge yourself with an obstacle course, what better time than now. Perhaps your dream is to take an art class in the park. The brain thrives when learning to master new tasks. The brain develops new pathways and the white matter in the brain becomes denser, allowing for faster traveling of information. These two things together can help us to maintain younger more active brains.
