Here is something you might not know about me: March is my least favorite month of the year. It usually leaves me longing for summer while is occasionally snows, and messes up with my energy levels while I want to spend as much time as possible outside (of my home and of my winter jacket). March gets my hopes up and doesn’t always deliver on my expectations. I know I am not the only human who feel like this. Being aware of my tendencies, I have started taking better care of my wellbeing during this seasonal change. I want to share a few of my recommedations and tips with you. But first, let’s touch on a few reasons why the transition from winter to spring is a time to take extra care of ourselves.
Why the change of seasons affect us
The change from winter to spring can be taxing on our bodies. Is it winter and should we slow down and perserve our energy? Or is it spring and should we become more active again? The one constant of this transition is the varying weather. Fluctuating between cold and warm; snow, rain, and sunshine can put pressure on our organisms. For one, our energy levels often change with the temprature. This lack of stability also affects our immune systems and it is not uncommon to become a victim of a seasonal flu or a cold.
In spring, the days grow longer. Many countries also move the clock one hour forward. This combination results in a temporary disturbance of our natural rhythm as we lose a bit more sleep compared to winter.
Another reason why the seasonal transition affect us might be our general sensitivity to changes. For some of us, the changing weather introduces an underlying feeling of restlessness and anxiety. Even thought the warmer weather and increased abundance of sunshine make up for it, it is important to be mindful of this aspect of the season.
So how can we help ourselves in this transitions? Read on for a few holistic wellbeing tips. Trying all of these might be overwhelming, however, even one small change can affect multiple areas of your health.
Take it slow and steady
Our energy flunctuates quite often during the transitions between winter and spring. Sometimes we feel like we have endless amounts of it to spend outside working out, gardening, or walking with friends. Other days, we want to spend hours in bed. We are like kids who are overly excited about being at the playground: we exhaust ourselves in a few hours and then fall asleep while sitting. This is, of course, describing the situation in a funny way, however, in every joke, there is a bit of truth.
The key to having a more balanced spring experience is to be mindful about our energy. Tune into your body every day and ask yourself how you feel. If your battery is flashing red, then opt for a slow day enjoyed at home, or with a mild walk and a good book. The other thing that can help us with the energy management is routines. Having daily anchors helps us ground and create a sense of stability and flow in our days. I highly recommend you to stick to a routine during the transition of seasons. At a minimum, keep to a consistent waking and going to sleep schedule.
Sticking to a routine during this time of the year helps with: sleep quality, energy & mood management;
Get enough and quality rest
The longer the days get, the more likely we are to stay active with the sun and light. This often means that we start waking up earlier, and going to bed much later. We lose an hour here and there. It does not seem like a lot until you put together all the sleep we lose in the week. Not only does this contribute to lower energy and moody experience, but it also affects our apetite (we start craving more carbs and coffee) and our immune systems.
So what can we do? When it comes to mornings, one thing I would recommend is to control the light in your bedroom. Blinds or heavy curtains are a good idea. Alternative, you can get a simple eye mask and use it if the light wakes you up too early. Then, aim to go to bed at the same time every night, or at least during the working week. Creating an evening routine is also a powerful way to ensure the high quality of the hours you sleep. Turn off the screens an hour before bed time. Do a gratitude practice or a meditation. Read a book. And if the change of seasons really messes us your rest hours, try CBD oil. The variety nowadays is big and the prices are affordable. It is a great natural supplement to improve your sleep.
Sleep is not the only way to ensure good energy flow. Breaks are also important. Make sure you do not overtire yourself during the day our of enthusiasm to do more things during the warmer and lighter weather.
Making sure you get enough sleep and rest helps with: energy & mood management, a healthy apetite;
Get moving
The transition from winter to spring signals to our bodies that it is time to stop hybernating and slowly become more active. The key word here is slowly. Since exercise and energy are dependent on each other, the aspect of mindfulness strongly applies here, too. If you have been active during the winter, then you can hit the ground running with the first warmer days and move the workouts outside. If, however, you have spent the cold months in a slower way, then be gentle with yourself. Opt for long walks and aerobic cardio workouts such as easy jogs or bike rides.
Incorporating more movement into your days helps with: reducing stress and anxiety, getting a better inflow of energy, sleeping well, creating a healthy apetite;
Fuel according to the season
With the changing weather and fluctuating energy levels, it is important to nourish your body in supporting ways. Here are a few suggestions for food to incorporate in your diet and supplements to consider for the spring season.
Eat the spring
It is no news that the best diet to follow is the seasonal one. This means to eat what is naturally growing where you live. For us in Lithuania, such foods are:
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Vabbage
- Spring onion
- Parsnip
- Radishes
- Spinach
In other words, salads are making a return with the spring season! Just make sure to supplement your green diet with a variety of protein, as we use up more energy in the new season. If you are curious about what veggies and fruits grow during the different seasons in your country, check out this website.
Supplements to support your wellbeing in spring
In addition to a healthy and seasonal diet, you might want to supplement your diet with a few vitamins, minerals, and spices. Here are the ones recommended for the spring season:
- Vitamin A: a power antioxidant, this vitamin boosts your immune system, promotes liver health (spring is associated with the liver function the most), and keeps your skin healthy during the first days of increased sunlight;
- Vitamin B: helps with maintaining energy levels and helps with fighting stress;
- Vitamin C: strengthens the immune system, which – let’s face it, is so needed when we go from snow to sun and back a few times per week;
- Vitamin E: increases energy levels and helps with recovery from phsyical exercises;
- Zinc: this mineral is famous for supporting respiratory function, contributes to muscle comfort and sinus health. The latter is great especially if you tend to suffer from spring alergies;
- Turmeric: another one great for upping your natural defences and supporting respiratory and nasal health; a cup of turmeric tea can also boost your immune system;
Most of all, embrace the change & enjoy
Unlike the transition from autumn to winter, mnoving towards spring and summer is can be a hopeful and joyful time of the year. Make sure to embrace the change and enjoy the increasingly better weather, while also taking care of your health, energy, and overall wellbeing!
