4 Ways to Relax this Spring

“Spring is the time of the year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.”

- Charles Dickens

Spring has officially sprung! That means it’s time for the body to thaw from the winter frost and get ready for fun springtime activities like picnicking, birdwatching, and walking through the park. Spring is the time to melt away those icy winter blues and smile again! Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and it’s a great time to leave the confinement of our heated homes and experience the enchanting freedom of the great outdoors.

You don't need to take the hardships of winter with you into the spring thaw, instead, use this beautiful season to de-stress, unwind, and become your best, happiest self. Below are some activities you can try this spring to make the cold winter a distant memory.

1. Go for a walk

Going for a walk can improve mood, enhance creativity, and of course, contribute to heart health and weight loss. One way is by giving you valuable time outside of your usual stressful environments to take in the world around you. A quick change of scenery can help you get out of your own head and take time to observe and appreciate the wonders of the world outside of your home or workplace.

One of the main benefits of walking is burning calories and fat to contribute to weight loss. Doctors typically recommend that patients take 30-minute to one hour walks a few times a week. Walking typically burns around 100 calories per mile, so in just one hour, the average person can burn up to 300 calories...without a gym membership! Walking is also known to reduce stress, improve balance and coordination, and even contribute to proper posture. 

2. Try gardening

Gardening is also a great way to relieve stress in the springtime whether you have an extravagant rose garden or a few potted plants. Just like walking through the beauty of nature can help the mind unwind, so can creating your own little slice of nature by planting a garden of your choosing. Additionally, gardening outside can provide the body with much-needed vitamin D which can contribute to healthy bones, strong teeth, and an effective immune system.

A good plant to start with on your gardening journey is the Pansy. Pansies are very difficult to kill, and in many areas, they can even withstand the winter frost. There are over 300 varieties of Pansies to choose from, they typically thrive when it is somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Just plant them somewhere with exposure to sunlight and water daily for a beautiful addition to your home or garden!

3. Massage therapy

Massage therapy is known to relieve stress, reduce muscle tension, and improve posture. During the winter, you may have found yourself spending whole days cramped indoors. This may have led to excessive sitting, which can lead to poor posture, headaches, stiff necks, and backaches. Massage therapy can help to increase circulation to stressed muscles enabling them to function properly and contribute to healthy posture, which can help prevent further soreness, headaches, and even improve sleep quality.

Massage therapy can alleviate muscle tension caused by psychological stress as well. The pressure from a massage can aid in flushing out lactic acid from the body, improving circulation and stimulating the distribution of blood, that was diverted to muscles by the stress response, back to the rest of the body. Massage therapy, however, can be costly...but you can save big by investing in a truMedic personal massager!

4. Get creative!

Everybody has their own ways of de-stressing no matter the time of year, so why not give them a little spring twist? If meditation is your go-to stress reliever, try it outside! If cycling is more your speed, try a scenic bike path. Flavor your favorite activities with the wonders of springtime and leave the cold dreariness of winter behind. You deserve it!

And while you're at it, why not leave your comfort zone and find new springtime activities? Spring is a great time to try new things. Looking to get in shape? Join a walking club. Want to spend more time outside? Take up birdwatching. Make the spring your personal time to expand your horizons and become a more well-rounded, happier person. 

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