When the weather finally turns warmer and the wildflowers start blooming, my whole body and soul are filled with springtime energy. Here’s how I take advantage of that energy and keep it up.
Drink Plenty of Water
Of course, it’s always good to be drinking lots of water, but in spring, it’s especially good.
Our bodies are naturally ready to shed the extra everything we’ve accumulated during the winter, and water helps flush all of it out.
Rule of thumb: drink half your body weight in ounces of water, per day.
To help myself get the water I need, I drink water first thing after I get up (two 16-oz cups during my morning routine, before even eating breakfast), plus more during my commute (another 16oz). I have that same amount during my evening commute, and a smaller glass (8oz) with each meal. It also helps to have some variety: sometimes I have unflavored sparkling water, sometimes warm water with lemon in it (especially first thing in the morning), and sometimes just plain straight-out-of-the-filter water.
Enjoy the Fruits of the Season
Springtime vegetables and fruit will also help your body naturally release what you no longer need - and, they’re delicious! Now is the time to break out your blender and enjoy smoothies packed with organic strawberries and leafy greens. As more berries become available, incorporate them, too!
Make Excuses to Walk More
While it was raining, I wasn’t super motivated to walk everywhere - but now that it’s not, I’m taking full advantage! Rather than optimizing for the absolute fastest, shortest route between two points - or driving to a place that’s just a few minutes away - I’m consciously choosing to walk more.
I’ll go out of my way to have a look at the flowers blooming in a neighbor’s yard, or see how the construction’s coming along on that high rise, on my way from point A to point B.
I’ll leave 10 minutes earlier so I can walk to the dentist’s, rather than driving. Getting the exercise feels great, and the constant change in landscape in springtime makes it fun and interesting to take the long way.
Remember: Get Your Rest, Too
When the days get longer and warmer, it’s tempting to get one more thing done, read one more chapter, finish one more project…you name it, I want to do it before going to bed. And that means I put off going to bed later than is good for me. It just takes a few nights of staying up too late for my body to show the signs of exhaustion, but by then, it takes many more nights of sleeping well to get back on track.
To help myself remember to go to bed at a reasonable hour, I stick to a simple rule: only do one thing after the kids are in bed, and before getting ready for bed myself.
Maybe that’s an hour of work, or maybe it’s preparing the crockpot for tomorrow, or maybe it’s relaxing with a book. Whatever it is, if I limit myself to only one, I’m much more likely to go to bed on-time.
Your Turn!
How do you plan to keep your energy going this week? Tell me in the comments below!