5 Ways To Enjoy Nature This Spring
The weather feels warmer, the trees are beginning to bud, and the grass seems to get greener with every rainstorm. Spring is a time that welcomes in the renewal of life itself.
If you, like me, would like to enjoy Spring this season. Here are five recommendations that can help support your enjoyment of nature this Spring.
#1: Eat the fruits and vegetables that are ready in Spring
With each Season, different fruits and vegetables are at their most potent. This is called “eating in season”.
I truly believe that if one eats more of what is in season, the body will naturally get the nutrients that it needs and the support that is required to help mitigate and renew the body as the seasons change.
A good resource to start eating in season is Jolene Hart’s, “Eat Pretty”. I highly recommend her work.
#2: Plant a Garden
One of the best times of year to plant a garden is in Spring. There is something remarkable about the smell of dirt.
New beginnings and growth are most starkly real when you watch a seed become all it is designed to be. Life seems to halt its head-long sprint into the future, and you take joy in seeing the little plant bring new possibilities into the world. Plants are miraculous.
If you cannot or do not have space to plant a garden, create flowers and place them in a place where you can see them often. Or take time to sit with a paper and pencil as you sketch different flowers, leaves, and sceneries.
#3: Watch the Morning Sunrise
There is a peace and quietness that can come into your life as you wake up early and enjoy the quiet morning hours.
Find a place in your home where you can see the sunrise. If it is outside, bundle up, make a morning tonic* for yourself, and enjoy the quietness leading up to the sunrise. Watch as the sky slowly fades and embraces the warmth of the sun. The way the sky changes color and the inner renewal that is felt as you celebrate a new day beginning. Right before your very eyes, you will see the real and the beautiful light of a new dawn breaking.
*Morning tonic: Warm water to help flush out night toxins. Then drink another 8 oz with a little bit of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice. Or enjoy a “golden milk” recipe.
#4: Build Endurance and Stamina Through Nature Walks
Now that it is light jacket weather, it is the perfect time to pick a time that works best for you and get your power walking shoes on.
The fresh air, warming sun, and the budding nature all are celebrating you as you renew your efforts for a healthier body and life.
Take time to start. It is important to just begin walking about a local park. As your endurance grows, look for local nature trails and then hiking routes. It is amazing what is already there, you just have to look for it. What I love about morning walks is the freshness of the air. It rejuvinates my body and my mind feels more alert. (Water has great rejuvenating properties too, here is an article about the benefits of cold showers)
A Pro Tip: Choose to add steps to your daily routine, parking in the back of the grocery store parking lot or walking around the block before you get your mail. Carving out a little bit of extra walk time will increase your endurance and stamina – both of which will greatly increase your summer experience.
#5: Spring Clean Your Home + Add Plants
Cleaning my home welcomes the new seasons of Spring and Summer. Both seasons are light, renewing, rejuvenating, and welcoming. The windows are opened, the drinks are cold, and the days get longer and longer.
Deep cleaning means scrubbing base boards, tubs, and wiping down the walls. Like squirrels do in the winter, they store up nuts. Naturally, as humans, I am sure you have accumulated things you either don’t need or haven’t used. It is time to get rid of them.
Decluttering takes time an effort, yet the reward and benefits are exponential. Your home will feel lighter, and your life will feel freer as you relinquish the many copies of your favorite magazine to the recyclers.
How to declutter:
Take time to gather everything into one place.
Make three piles: Keep, think about, throw out.
Then organize the piles and put away the keep pile.
Check out this article for more Spring Cleaning tips.
Once your home is clean and organized add a couple of select plants to your home. Here are a few suggestions for easy-to-care-for indoor plants.
Light: Indirect sunlight; 65-85°F degrees
Water: Keep evenly moist
Size: 10-12 inches tall
Safe for furry friends and kids
Light: Low to bright light; 60-85 °F degrees
Water: Allow surface of the soil to dry between watering
Size: To 4 feet tall and wide.
Light: Low to bright light; 60-75°F degrees
Water: Allow the soil to dry between waterings
Size:2-3 feet tall and wide
Do not unjust, poisonous to children and pets.
Plants add a brightness and vitality to any space you put them in. Seek to include one plant this year in your home space. Take time to care for it and nurture it and you will see greater air quality and a more welcoming atmosphere due to the nature of plants.
If you struggle with keeping and maintaining your home check out our course “Create A Life-giving Home: Declutter, organize, and cultivate habits that will support a life of joy.”
Which one of these tips do you want to try this Spring? Share in the comments below!
This article was written by Kaitlyn Andrews, Life Coach for Women
