Spring is officially here. The days are longer and warmer and for those of us with allergies we definitely feel it. Winter can feel like it drags you down and makes you lazy. I even felt this and took a break from blogging; I just didn’t feel like doing it so I didn’t. Is that productive? No, but it happens.
Spring brings about rebirth, feeling refreshed and ready to make moves. This isn’t only happening outside, but within people as well. Everyone starts to spring clean and realize what they do and don’t need when it comes to personal belongings, but this is also a time to reevaluate what you do and don’t need in life. This can be anything from personal relationships, bad habits, new goals and physically what your body needs.
If you are feeling that itch that you need something new in your life then it is time to start brainstorming about what it is. Think of this as spring-cleaning your mind and body. Here are 7 tips on how to jump into spring, and the rest of this year, with the ability to dominate your goals by trying new things that will help change habits and motivate you.
1. Organize your ideas and goals
Don’t plan out your whole year, or you will have too much on your plate and half of your goals will likely never get accomplished. Write down goals for the next two months and then think about what stood in your way in the past when you tried to reach these goals. Think about what will help you accomplish them.
“In order to succeed we must have to first believe that we can.”
-Nikos Kazantzakis
2. Be nice to yourself
While you begin conquering these new goals be kind to yourself. When anyone starts something new they have slip-ups, it is human nature and it is how we know to do something different the next time. If you have trouble being kind to yourself read my blog on ways to love yourself
3. Start Small
Instead of taking on a bunch of new goals all at once, pick one and focus on it for 2 weeks. When you feel that you have accomplished this goal then move onto the next one.
4. Pamper Yourself
Winter can be hard on our skin, especially in Colorado. There is no need to go out and get an expensive spa day when you can have a DIY one at home. This way you also know exactly what is going on your skin and you save money. Here are some great DIY face masks, bath salts and scrubs to try.
Coconut oil facemasks and scrubs
Cranberry sugar scrub for the body
Don’t forget your feet! You can get two huge pumice stones for only $10 on Amazon, which does the trick for getting your feet ready for those sandals.
5. Eat In Season
You will find that eating in season produce can be very cheap and taste even better than trying to eat a strawberry in the wintertime. This produce is fresher and tastes way better. Here is a website that provides you with a list of in season fruits and veggies so you are always in the know.
http://kitchen.nutiva.com/eating-with-the-seasons-spring/
6. Try Gardening
I personally am not much of a gardener, but a lot of people are. I know people who tried gardening for the first time last year and grew large amounts of vegetables and fruit, and they found it to be easy. So, give it a shot! You don’t have to get crazy— lots of vegetables and fruits can grow in pots.
Here are two websites on gardening, one specific to Colorado: http://www.coloradogardening.com/ http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/starting-your-vegetable-garden
This will encourage you to eat more fruits and vegetables because you grew them and they are literally in your back yard. This can also encourage your kids to want to eat them as well.They will be proud of what they helped create and will want to try them.
7. Get outside!
Sunshine is a very underrated part of a healthy lifestyle. The sunshine provides vitamin D, helps with depression, boosts the immune system and energizes you. Yes you should be covering up with sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, but before you do give yourself 15-20 minutes without sunscreen so your body can soak up the benefits of the rays.
Even after those 15-20 minutes outside, don’t go back in. Put on that sunscreen and stay outside. Get into a routine of taking a morning or evening walk, especially if you have dogs. (They need the exercise too!) Plan a hike or a picnic. Being outside, even with sunscreen, boosts your mood and gets you active.
Day Hikes Near Denver provides a list of all kinds of hikes and walks. You can find hikes and walks to fit your lifestyle ranging from easy to hard in the time and distance you want to go. Everyone can find something on this website.
Spring is one of the best times of the year, in my opinion. It is not too hot and not too cold which allows you to spend more time outside. It feels like a weight has been lifted and everyone has an itch to be better, accomplish more and start something new. So go scratch that itch!