5 STRATEGIES for a Happy, Healthy Spring!

WORDS BY RILEY GEORGE

Spring is a time for renewal and fresh living. It’s a time for new healthy habits to form. So as the days get longer and the sun starts to shine brighter in many parts of the world, it's time to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and take on a few new habits to ensure that you have a happy and healthy spring.

Here are five tips to help you do just that!

Get Outdoors

Spending time outdoors can help boost your mood, reduce stress, and improve your overall health and well-being. Take advantage of the gentle spring weather and get outside for a walk, jog, or bike ride. Spend time in your backyard or a nearby park. Try something new, like paddle boarding or kayaking. The fresh air and physical activity will do good for your physical health and your mental health alike. Being able to get in the sunshine can increase your overall happiness and prompt you to do physical exercise.

Eat Healthier

Spring is the perfect time to start eating healthier. With the sense of renewal that comes with springtime, it could be the perfect time to try new healthy foods or start that diet you have been putting off all winter! Incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet and substituting unhealthy snacks and treats with healthier alternatives can be a great lifestyle to try this spring. It could also be the perfect time to make healthier choices, such as grilling or baking instead of frying foods.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present moment without judgment and with acceptance. It is a powerful tool that can help us cultivate a greater degree of peace and calm in our lives, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. When practiced regularly, mindfulness can also help us become more in tune with our physical and emotional needs, which can be beneficial in helping us take better care of ourselves.

One of the best ways to practice mindfulness during spring is to engage in daily mindfulness walks. Meditation and focus can improve your mental health immensely. As the warm weather starts, taking these walks and meditating outside could change your entire mindset!

Use Sun Protection

As the days get warmer and the sun begins to shine more brightly, it’s important to remember to take care of your skin. Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the warmer weather and get outside, but it’s also important to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sun protection is essential for keeping your skin healthy and preventing skin cancer, premature aging, and other unnecessary skin damage.

UV radiation from the sun can cause a range of skin issues, from sunburns to dry and itchy skin. In addition, long-term exposure to UV radiation can lead to wrinkling, age spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer. To shield your skin from the sun’s damaging rays, it’s essential to use sun protection. The best way to protect your skin is to use a broadspectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP!

As the days start to get longer and spring approaches, we need to take care of our bodies and get enough sleep. When we don’t get enough sleep, it can affect our mental and physical health negatively.

Getting enough sleep can help to improve your mood and energy levels. When we’re tired, we’re more likely to be irritable and find it difficult to concentrate. This can really affect how we interact with others and our overall productivity. When we get enough sleep, we’re more likely to be in a better mood, have more energy and be able to think clearly – all of which will help us to enjoy the spring season. Not getting enough sleep can also affect your mental health. People who don’t get enough sleep can experience increased stress levels, depression, and anxiety. These can all have a negative effect on your physical health.

Sleeping enough is also important for our physical health. Not getting enough sleep can negatively affect your immune system. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body isn’t able to fight off infection and illness as well as it normally would, which can make you more prone to getting sick and make it harder to recover.

A lack of sleep can also have a negative effect on your heart health. Studies have shown that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to have high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease.

Closing Thoughts

Spring is a time for renewal and happiness! It is an excellent time of year to try something new and be outside while focusing on the warm weather and leaving winter behind. Focusing on these strategies can help you have a happy, healthy spring! Happy Spring!