Spring Free
The word “spring” has many different meanings. I think most of us connect it to the season, which started on March 20th. Yet, this year in New England where I live, with the lingering cold and persisting piles of snow it is especially hard to make that connection. So, I set out to see the word differently, finding the following uplifting definition – “to come into being, rise, or arise within a short time.” Such exuberance isn’t dependent on the weather. It reminded me that the spring season is an ideal time to break free from old ways of thinking and shed anything that is not serving my highest good. ツ
Happy Healthy Her
How to Spring Free
In Shamanic traditions winter is a time of hibernation. There is less sunlight, and given the colder temperatures, staying indoors simply makes good sense. However, a lack of sun exposure has been linked to fatigue and depression. Besides, being stuck indoors can cause you to go a bit stir crazy as the months linger on. So, even if the weather is not fully cooperating these days, now is a good time to start making the seasonal shift into spring. Here are some tips for breaking out of a winter rut, and springing forth with positive energy.
- Have a spa day or weekend of pampering. Blocking out even an hour or two to spend some time on yourself can refresh your looks and your spirit. Following are some suggestions on how to spend that relaxing time:
- Participate in your favorite gentle exercise routine (i.e. Pilates, yoga, dance or Qigong)
- Give yourself a head massage lightly using the pads of your fingers. Then wash your hair, cover it with deep conditioner, and wrap your head in a warm towel.
- Fill the bathtub with warm water and natural bath salts. Epsom salt mixed with a few drops of lavender oil works well at soothing muscles and encouraging the body’s detoxification processes.
- Use a handful of the bath salts or coarse sugar mixed with peppermint oil to gently scrub your feet and any other dry areas like knees or elbows.
- Rinse the deep conditioner out of your hair.
- Step out of the tub and coat your body in natural oils. Coconut oil and jojoba oil are both great choices.
- Wrap yourself in a cozy robe, and sit back with a cup of tea and a good book.
- Throughout the day or weekend, aim to lighten up your diet by consuming only fruits and veggies, or begin incorporating green juices into your daily routine.
- Start an herb garden in tiny pots in your kitchen.
- Clean out any clutter in your personal space. You can find inexpensive, colorful photo boxes and baskets at craft stores that are great for keeping mail, receipts, and other small items out of site.
- Buy file folders in cheerful spring colors or add a cheery plant to your workspace.
- Organize your closets, moving your bulkiest winter clothes to the back, and giving away any clothes that you no longer wear.
- Begin a new healthy practice such as writing in a daily gratitude journal, meditating, praying, emailing friends you have lost touch with, reading daily affirmations, or learning a new skill.
- Tackle a home improvement project. Something as simple as adding new photos to your walls, changing out frames, or buying colorful throw pillows or doormats can re-energize your living space.
- Draw back the curtains or blinds so that more sunlight can enter your home, and venture outside as much as possible.
What’s Hot at HHH
The Roll-Up
I mentioned them in January’s issue, and I still haven’t stopped my quest for awesome abs. The roll-up is scientifically proven to effectively target your entire core, and it is surprisingly simple. Fitness Magazine explains how to perform this Pilates favorite.
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This made me smile. Helllooooo Spring Cleaning!
No spring cleaning for you missy! You need to rest and let yourself heal 🙂