Spring has officially arrived!
It’s a time when we all feel better. The days are longer; the light is brighter; it feels warmer. Somehow, despite all the negative things that are going on in the world we feel just that bit more optimistic, hopeful and cheerful.
How can we hold on to that feeling, make the most of it and pass on to those around us a cheerful sense of well-being?
Small steps can make a huge difference. If the sun is shining, get out for a walk. Find a park, quiet footpath or coastal track where you can take some deep breaths, fill the lungs with fresh air and take a moment to be still. As you walk, focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Enjoy the forward motion. Relish the different sights and views that open up as you pass. Smell the different aromas that come your way from blossom and new spring growth. Greet folk you encounter with a smile.
Maybe try a different exercise.
We’re all being encouraged to take more exercise. And it can be so simple. It may be a stretch you haven’t tried before. It may be a part of your body that feels tight or tense – shrug and roll those shoulders; raise yourself on your heels; bend your legs; stretch out your arms. There are many resources for discovering new ways of helping your body feel more flexible. Some excellent Youtube videos will give you inspiration- have a browse and choose one that works for you.
Practice Gratitude
It’s easy to become over-focussed on ourselves when our mood is a little in the doldrums. Change the dynamic – think about a friend, family member or acquaintance you maybe haven’t seen for a while and get in touch. Send a message, write a letter or speak to them just to say that you are thinking of them, wondering how they are doing. Thank them for some small thing that they may have done for you in the past that has made you feel better. Let them know you value their friendship.
Boost your energy…
Are you getting enough rest? Is your diet helping or hindering you?Small changes can bring massive benefits.
Each day you could walk, cycle or run for just that bit longer. Consider the food you eat – the fuel you put into your body. Could you make some simple swaps? Instead of a fast food solution, create a fresh salad, colourful and nutritious. Eat an apple instead of a stack of cakes and biscuits. Enjoy a glass of water instead of a fizzy drink that loads your body with sugar. There are numerous ways to adjust food habits that don’t have to cost the earth but will bring a greater sense of well-being and fulfilment.
Take action!
Complete something you’ve been meaning to finish for ages. It may be a wardrobe de-clutter, a patch in the garden that needs clearing, a book you started reading and never finished. Just get on with it!
And if all of these sound like too much hard work, just get outside. Listen to the birds, watch the leaves unfolding on trees and bushes around you; breathe in the scents of spring – and simply value the fact that you are alive in this world; that you are unique and have so much to offer.
