Spring is a season of awakening and of new beginnings. Making healthy choices that will carry you through the seasons is important this time of year. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Embrace yourself honestly
- Assess the various aspects of your life: diet, exercise program, work or relationships.
- See where the stressors and weaknesses exist; focus on the ones that need improvement, and begin moving away from the ones that detract from your life.
2. Examine personal relationships
Include your significant other, friends, or relatives. Think about how you affect each other and what you can do to make each relationship more meaningful.
3. Choose to change habits — ASK FOR HELP!
Perhaps you want to be more positive, exercise more, or give up junk food. Do you need help or can you do this on your own? It may be easier to make changes with support from others.
4. Clean and organize
Clear out the old and bring in the new. Take a look at your possessions and give away or recycle anything that doesn’t serve a good purpose. Throw away or recycle broken/chipped items as well as torn/frayed clothing. You may be surprised at how much lighter and happier you feel when you’ve cleaned and freshened up each area of your home.
5. Get active
Schedule more exercise into your day to improve your health and reduce stress. Walk around your neighborhood, try a yoga class, go dancing, or ride your bike someplace new.
6. Make positive choices
Think about what you take in every day with your eyes, ears, and heart; consider the things that make you feel your best, such as beautiful music, energetic friends, and inspirational art…and consider taking a break from TV, news, violent movies, and stressful people.
7. Feel your best
Assess your emotional well-being. Take an honest look at your moods and emotions. Find the cause of the disharmony, and make a conscious choice to change. Many factors, from diet and digestive health to ‘learned behavior’, can have an influence on mood and energy level.
8. Try a Detox Program
You may want to try a 1 to 3 week detox program during the spring. Choose a program that works for you, whether it’s a juice cleansing, fasting, cutting out dairy or refined sugars, or a more in-depth detox diet. Talk to me; in addition to acupuncture, I can give you helpful information about how to approach the detoxification process.
9. Consider nutritional supplements
You might find supplements helpful for boosting your immunity and overall health. I can recommend an age-and-gender appropriate multivitamin/mineral daily, as well as additional antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E, and probiotics. Also remember to drink plenty of water and green tea.
10. Commit to a plan
Consider what you want out of life, from your health, habits and relationships to your career and work and family. Create a plan to achieve these goals!
Most importantly, remember to be nurturing and kind to yourself, as you commit to making positive changes in your life.
