9 Tips For A Healthy Spring
Spring is my favorite time of year!
We live in North San Diego and I know spring is right around the corner when I look across the valley and witness a sea of purple. As I climb the hills above our house, the fragrance of the blooming Mountain Lilac (Ceanothus) is intoxicating. During these walks I get hit from several directions with an overwhelming feeling of happiness as the exercise pumps happy hormones into my brain, the smells bring on a flood of happy memories and the sun warms my soul. It’s almost as good as that root beer float I splurged on as a surgery recovery treat 😁
As with January 1st, Spring also puts an extra kick in my motivation. It’s a time of possibility, a time to take stock of the habits that might be holding me back from being who I want to be..
Spring can also be a really good time to reevaluate the year and that includes giving your health and wellness routines a once over, You may even find that resolutions made in springtime are easier to follow than the ones you try to implement in the cold, bitter winter months.
If you want to pay your health and well-being a little extra attention this Spring, but don’t know where to start, here are nine tips to get you started.
1. Reset Your Sleep Schedule
Winter is a time for hibernating. Unless you’ve got somewhere to be, the grey overcast days and too-cold-to-go-out weather can make it tempting to stay in bed as long as possible. By springtime, a lot of us are sleeping a lot later than we need to and that can be a hard habit to kick.
As spring approaches, one of our best wellness tips is this: start waking up earlier. You’ll have so much more time to get your day started. You’ll also have more hours of daylight in general, freeing you up to read, exercise, relax with a cup of tea, and do whatever you please.
If you have trouble with this, try setting an alarm, gradually making it earlier a little at a time. If necessary, start going to bed earlier, too. Try relaxing tea or a hot bath to make this easier.
2. Get More Steps In
Now that the weather is warming up, it’s the perfect time to start walking more! Walking is the perfect low-impact exercise that boosts your cardiovascular health without leaving you sore and out of breath. Plus, it’s easy to fit in more steps every day, such as choosing the stairs or walking to nearby errands rather than driving.
Once spring hits, the last thing you want to do is be out of shape and too tired to move around. Walking will help you lose excess weight and rev up your metabolism, helping you be the best version of yourself. Plus, it’s a great way to relieve stress and get you in a great mood.
If you need some help, did you know I have a 3 month Basic Walking Program with all the things you need to get ready for walking, start walking and build up those muscles to make walking even easier. Check it all out HERE
3. Soak Up The Sun!
We had a VERY rainy winter this year with many cloudy days and it really affected my mood. Yes, I love the rain and I know that we need it but when it’s sunny outside, I’m a different person.
Spring sunshine is just the best as it’s not too warm and there are so many benefits you MUST take advantage of it.
Bright light exposure helps release serotonin in the body, which can boost your mood (as I know first hand). It also helps the skin produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and other functions in the body!
4. But Protect Your Skin and Eyes
Even though getting a certain amount of sunlight is healthy and beneficial, too much sun exposure can damage your eyes and skin. For this reason, it’s important to use appropriate sun protection, which includes wearing sunglasses, protective clothing, and sunscreen.
One of my biggest regrets in life was not protecting my skin when I was younger, a golden tan was a badge of honor. The effects are real with sun spots, wrinkles and I’ve also had a small squamous cell skin cancer removed.
The general rule of thumb is to cover up when you can and if you can’t, wear your sunscreen. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours — especially if you’re sweating or swimming. I prefer a mineral based sunscreen as the chemical ones irritate my skin. I list several of my favorite sunscreens and cover up on this webpage Amy’s Favorites
5. Eat Lots of Fresh Produce
Winter can sabotage your diet efforts, with all its unhealthy comfort foods, baking, and the holidays of course. While these taste good, especially on a cold winter’s night, they can sure leave you feeling bloated and sluggous.
This spring, one of the best health tips to reverse the damage from winter is this: fill your plate with lots of fresh, seasonal produce. Eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables can speed up the detoxification process, leaving you feeling refreshed, fueled, and energized. Plus, they’re chock full of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to be at its peak performance.
6. Spring Clean Your Body
Spring cleaning is not just for your home. Giving your body a break from the toxins that are everywhere is also important.
If you are struggling to lose weight or just not feeling your very best… it is not your fault. The food industry has hijacked your taste buds, your hormones and your metabolism with addictive processed foods. The SECRET to looking and feeling great this spring is to give your body a break from these things and reclaim your health, even if just for a week..
Not sure how to do this? I’ve got you covered with my 7 Day Spring Clean Your Body Challenge coming spring of 2023!
7. Stay Hydrated!
I know this is not new news to you! Every health coach says it. I think it’s one of the top pillars of a healthy body but why it it so difficult to drink enough water?
Spring is a great time to revaluate your healthy habits and drinking enough water is one on them. How can you make this easier? How can it be something you don’t even think about? Take a minute to give this some thought and if you need ideas check out my YouTube Video How to DRINK MORE WATER – Fitness For Women Over 50
8. Clear the Clutter
Surrounding yourself with clutter and mess can wreak havoc on your health. A 2010 study found that women who described their living spaces as disorganized tended to have generally higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Meanwhile, those who characterized their homes as being restful and restorative were not only less stressed than their cluttered counterparts but also reported less sad feelings as the day went on, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Not sure where to start? Stay tuned for Tips from a professional organizer in our workshop on March 26, 2023
9. Find Your Perfect Exercise Program
One of the best wellness tips to keep in mind is this: find your favorite way to stay moving. Exercise benefits our bodies in so many ways, and spring is the perfect time to kick-start a new fitness routine.
The trick here is to find something you enjoy doing. This will help you stick with it and start achieving your fitness goals before you know it!
On top of that, exercise also does wonders for your mood. If you’ve been stuck in the winter doldrums (as many of us have been), you can instantly create feel-good endorphins by adding some physical activity to your day.
Need some help? Check out The Be Healthy Enough Digital Fitness Studio with workouts and plans designed for us women over 50! I offer a 7 day FREE trial too!
If you’d like some help with your health or fitness journey why not schedule a FREE 30 Minute Wellness Consultation with me. I’d love to help in any way that I can. Click the book now link below and find a time that works for you
If you’re a woman over 50 and you’d like to get moving and feel better you should try one of my online workouts designed just for us; low impact cardio to protect our joints, strength training because it’s a must as we age, Pilates because a strong core = a strong body and more.
Oh and you can try ALL of my workouts FREE for 7 Days by clicking HERE and signing up!
