Spring Self CAre
Spring is a season of emergence, a season of renewal, a season of rebirth. It is a time of revival and reawakening.
Temperatures being to rise and light last longer than dark as the days move onward reaching their pinnacle at the Summer solstice. The dark months are over and we are moving into the warmth of light.
You might feel the energy all around you and within you— building, growing, reawakening. While the official start to Spring is the Spring equinox otherwise known as Ostara on March 21st, in the Northeast the end of April/ early May feels more like spring in terms of weather.
In our recent move from Boston to the Berkshires– the shift west and north has delayed our springtime a bit. It is super interesting as gardeners because we had to shift back when we started seeds indoors when we should bring them outdoors, and when we will plant them on the earth. We are still learning but I know when the seedlings start to sprout that Spring has sprung.
Spring can be an interesting time energetically, physically, and mentally. We can start to see and feel shifts in the natural world, the human body, and the human mind.
The natural world
For many people spring is reminiscent of daffodils and tulips. The first blooms of the season take off and they are fragrant and bright– shouting look at me! I come bearing hope!.
In the northeast, it’s also known as mud season. On every hike we take my shoes (and my dog) are usually covered in mud. (although this spring has been particularly dry).
In terms of foraging, you can start to look for dandelion greens, wild onions, garlic mustard, fiddleheads and eastern hemlock shoots. (all edible and all found in New England!)
It’s a time when you start seedlings for the garden and watch them grow. The plants send their roots down deep and set a foundation to carry them throughout the year. Strong seedlings and good roots = a flourishing garden (we’ve learned that the hard way more than once.)
The animals that have been hibernating or even laying low come out to forage themselves on what is newly grown. We have seen a family of wild turkeys, lots of deer and too many rabbits (or one big one that hangs around) come out of the woodwork– unfortunately, munching on our roses, tulips, and daffodils but who can blame them?
The natural world is quite literally waking up and coming alive.
Want to connect to the Season of Spring in the Natural World, try this:
Start some seedlings: We have a big operation and it brings us BIG joy but that is not for everyone. Start some herbs on your windowsill, pick up some seedlings from the local nursery, and watch something grow as you nurture it.
Go for a daffodil walk: Wild daffodils are a thing and it can be so fun to walk around the neighborhood and check out what is blooming where. This time of year the landscape of neighborhoods, hiking trails, and local green spaces seem to transform day by day.
Energetic & Mental Body
We can learn a lot from the natural world as we as humans transition through seasons. Often, we can feel some of the same struggles and joys that are reflected in the natural world around us.
Just like the world around us, we too are feeling the energy of rebirth and renewal. We too are setting down roots that will carry us through the seasons ahead and it is super important to nourish those roots.
We are moving from the internal focus of winter into the expansiveness of summer. It’s a time of moving up and out– physically, mentally, and spiritually. Because of this, it is a powerful time to evaluate what you want to shed from winter and what you want to bring forth in your life. There is time in Spring to re-evaluate HOW you want to move towards your goals and even WHAT those goals are.
We get a fresh look at the world around us in Spring. Often, you might find more clarity around your vision or direction. You might even feel a pull to add more creativity to your life (follow that) and add more play to your world (definitely follow that).
Spring can also be a time of releasing and letting go of stuck emotions and emotional patterns. Because of this, it can be a powerful time to match movement with intention. Whether that is a moving meditation like walking or yoga or taking time to metaphorically let go of heavy emotions and mental tension.
Some journal prompts for Early Spring:
What do I want to let go of from winter?
Where do I feel stuck or stagnant (physically, mentally or emotionally)
What emotions or patterns keep coming up? Can I release them?
You might already have moved through that stagnancy and be on the other side of the Spring energy– alive with new ideas, plans and inspiration. You might feel ready for a fresh start, craving that rebirth deeply and ready to come alive in aways you never have before. Embrace it, enter this energy, let inspiration flow and flood your senses.
Remember that you have the power to create what you want to create. You have the space to create this updated version of yourself. Explore the possibilities and play with what comes up. Most importantly, have some fun with it!
Some journal prompts to fuel your creativity and internal fire:
What do I want from this next season of life?
What is within me that wants to come alive?
When do I feel most creative? Most inspired? Most alive? How do I foster MORE of that.
Harness the power of spring in your life personally and/or professionally.
Physical Body
This time of year we can often feel stuck and stagnant in our physical bodies. It’s also a time where seasonal allergies can start to kick up and cause some annoyance. There are so many different ways to support your physical body in this season of spring and so I will just share a few.
In terms of food and diet, I am by no means a dietitian but I do like to learn from Ayurveda and Chinese medicine as well as the seasons of the natural world. I try to eat as much as possible in tune with what is growing in this season. HEre are some general recommendations for food: (as always please consult your doctor or dietitian before drastically changing your diet and take everything with a grain of salt)
Minimize complex carbs
Reduce your consumption of Sugar
Take a high quality multivitamin
Eat lots of leafy greens and high quality protein
Add bitter greens into your diet like beet greens, romaine, kale
Add more sprouts and pungent flavored foods like radishes
As my friend Emilie of Seasonal Intention shares, Spring can be a great time to do as seasonal ayurvedic Detox (not a juice cleanse, much, much different) check out Emilie’s Spring Detox Program. I will be doing it a little delayed this year!
In general, Spring is a great time for a reboot- -digestive or otherwise. This may like look giving your digestion a break from heavier foods like bread products, dairy, and sugar or this might look like taking a break from alcohol for a bit.
Spring is often a time of rebooting our physical bodies too. I joke that this time of year is my busiest as a Physical Therapist– everyone starts to come out of the woodwork and want to tune up their body. It’s like all those nagging aches and pains of winter that we all ignored start to impede this new level of spring activity and we are ready to address them.
So if you’re like me (and every one of my clients) and we are feeling ready to harness this Spring energy in your workouts, remember:
Slow and Steady: If you haven’t run in 4 months, don’t go out for a 10-mile run at your fastest pace. Ease back into those workouts that have been put on hold for the past few months.
Show your body a little TLC: As I said, this can be a time of year when even our muscles feel stiff and stagnant. Think about adding some mobility work or fascial work to support stiff muscles– maybe scheduling a massage or a body tune-up (I offer those!)
You’re in it for the long haul: Spring is just the START of many of our seasons of activity. You have all spring, summer, and even into fall to get outdoors, get moving, and stay active. Don’t try to do it all in this first month. Your body and your brain will thank you.
Some other movement recommendations for Spring:
Add in some twists: Get the diaphragm, the ribcage, and the organs moving with twists. TWists can feel SO good when we are stuck and stagnant.
Prioritize sweating: Get your body moving and get sweating. Sweating is a great way to release the natural toxins nad by-products of our body’s processes. It can feel rejuvenating and even refreshing to get sweating– whether in a sauna or during a workout.
Get outdoors: Take advantage of the longer days and reset your circadian rhythm by getting sunshine on your eyes first thing in the morning and watching the sunset at night. Good for your body and your brain
There are so many different ways to embrace spring and take good care of yourself! Enjoy this season and all it has to offer. The energy of spring awaits you!