Self-care is important no matter what the time of year. Paying closer attention to your mental and emotional well-being can pay off in many ways—including benefitting your overall health.
While spring often ends up being a busy time of the year for a lot of people—and that can bring added stress—it also presents some unique opportunities for self-care, thanks to warmer weather and increased daylight. April is also Stress Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to focus on this important topic.
We know self-care doesn’t always come easy. You might need to carve out the time in your busy schedule. But trust us—it’s completely worth it. And this is truly the perfect timing. People often think of spring as a season of rebirth or change. As everything starts greening up again and flowers come into bloom, it represents the start of a new beginning.
So why not honor that by starting to spend more time on yourself?
If you’re craving some calm right now, we’ve rounded up five self-care activities that you can try this spring.
1. Get Outside
One of the wonderful aspects of springtime is that the weather will start to warm up. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy more time outdoors without having to completely bundle up. Make use of that opportunity by finding time to take walks. Not only is walking good exercise but it also has been shown to reduce stress.
In fact, one study by the University of Michigan found that taking 20 minutes to walk in nature can reduce stress hormones. The study authors went as far as calling this remedy a “nature pill.” Take a “nature pill” as often as possible and you’ll find your stress levels decreasing.
2. Buy Yourself Flowers
Besides the warmer weather, in many parts of the country where plants aren’t in bloom year-round, spring is a season of flowers. Fresh buds start growing and the world around you will become more colorful once again! Celebrate it by buying yourself some fresh flowers. Having fresh flowers around your home will lift your mood.
Even better, try to make an activity out of it. If you can find a pick-your-own flowers farm, you’ll also be able to enjoy time in nature.
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3. Dine Al Fresco
Warmer weather will also mean more restaurants are opening outdoor seating options allowing you to dine “al fresco,” as in, outdoors. Of course, you don’t have to dine at a restaurant to eat outside. You can also take your breakfast, lunch or dinner to your porch, patio or deck—or even set up a blanket and have a picnic—right at home. Simply being outside and getting some sunlight is good for you and will help you enjoy your time eating rather than rushing through a meal or eating mindlessly (both of which can lead to unintentional overeating).
4. Visit a Farm or Farmer’s Market
As more fresh produce comes into season, you’ll have some great reasons to visit your local farm, farmers market or farm stand. If you don’t have one near you, maybe it’s a reason to take a drive to somewhere that does! Meandering around the farmers market can be enjoyable—and good for the mind and spirit. Plus, you can stock up on some fruits and veggies for the week and prepare some seasonal recipes that help support your healthy eating plans.
5. Book Some Relaxation Time
One way to ensure that you’re fitting in some self-care activities is to book one! These days, there are more self-care experiences than ever. You can’t go wrong with the traditional massage but there are also salt cave experiences and halotherapy, float tank therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and so many more. Look into the options in your local area and treat yourself to one that works for you.
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Find Something that Brings You Joy
While we hope that these self-care activities and ideas might give you some inspiration, at the end of the day, it’s about finding something that will bring you joy. Self-care is obviously about making good food choices, exercising, sleeping and practicing overall good hygiene. But it’s also about finding activities that will help you to destress.
Even just setting aside some “me-time” each day where you do something simple that you enjoy—reading, writing in a journal, practicing yoga or putting on some music and meditating—can make a huge difference. By committing to this, you are making an investment in yourself and your overall wellbeing and that’s a big deal.
The post Craving Calm? 5 Self-Care Activities to Try This Spring appeared first on The Leaf.
