Spring Self-Care Tips
We are continuing our spring into summer series with self-care. Self-care is something we should focus on year-round, but self-care in the spring is my favorite. Spring is a time of growth and renewal which makes it the perfect time to start to care for yourself. And what better way to welcome the warmer weather and brighter sunshine than to renew your self-care needs.
Here are some of my favorite spring self-care tips that will leave you feeling energized and rejuvenated.
Clean And Declutter
Spring is an excellent time of year to clean your space and declutter. You might want to think about sorting through your closets, storage space and junk drawers to declutter the items you can live without.
You can toss the old cosmetics and skincare in your make-up bag, throw out expired foods from your fridge, freezer, and pantry, and donate clothes and accessories you haven't worn in over a year. Also, clear your desk space and filing cabinets of unnecessary documents and office tools you no longer need.
While you're at it, take a natural cleaner (I love cleaning with essential oils) and wipe down shelves, cabinet doors, and handles. If you're up for it, wipe clean your windows and let some gorgeous sunlight in. Don't forget those overlooked areas that don't get done when you usually clean.
Having clean and decluttered spaces around you can leave you feeling calmer, less stressed, more creative, and feeling brand new.
Read more about how to spring clean your wellness here.
Renew Your Diet
Spring is when many more fruits and vegetables start coming into season making it an ideal time to make a conscious effort to eat more fresh and seasonal foods. Doing so will bring you energy and give you a boost of nutrients for your body.
Personally, I enjoy visiting the local farmer's markets to find the freshest varieties. Even if you don't have any near you, most grocery stores carry plenty of organic options to choose from. Pick some up and add more healthy food to your diet.
Put away the heavy comfort food and hearty soup recipes and instead try some spring recipes like garden salads made with seasonal vegetables, meats on the grill, and fruit salads.
Here are some tips on eating springtime greens!
Get Outside
As pleasant weather arrives, it's time to head outside. There's nothing like getting out into the fresh air and sunshine to lift your spirits. Feeling a springtime breeze and the sun's warmth on your skin can be so invigorating.
Hit the trails and go on a hike, take a nature walk or go for a scenic bike ride. You don't have to go far to enjoy the outdoors. Garden in your yard or walk around your neighborhood. Better yet, grab a friend or neighbor to take a stroll with you.
Pay attention to the signs of spring all around you. Smell the flowers, listen to the birds chirping, and breathe in the fresh springtime air.
Need more exercise tips? Click here for our favorites.
Drink More Water
If you wake up in the morning with a dry throat and parched mouth, you're likely dehydrated. Dehydration can cause dry skin, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. It's a good idea to remember to drink plenty of water, especially in the spring as the weather gets warmer and you start to sweat more.
Start your day off with a full glass of water to re-hydrate. If cold water in the morning isn't to your liking, fill a reusable water bottle the night before and have it ready for you at your bedside or on the kitchen counter. Be sure to use a filter if you are drinking tap water to filter out chlorine and other impurities.
Drink it before or in place of your morning coffee. If you don't like the taste of plain water, try infusing it with citrus or fruits for an added boost of flavor and vitamins.
Remembering to drink enough water throughout the day isn't always easy. A trick I use is to track how much I've had. I like to use an app on my phone to track my water intake. Some people like to fill their water bottle a certain number of times a day to meet their quota.
A common recommendation is to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water. Give it a try and observe how your energy and mood changes. I definitely feel better when I do this regularly. For an extra boost, add a pinch of sea salt or Himalayan salt for a mineral boost.
Incorporate Self-Care In Your Life This Spring
Live life to the fullest this spring by incorporating self-care into your life. You can start with these tips, but feel free to add your own, too! Your body and mind will thank you for it.
You can't fill from an empty cup! It's time to take care of you!
BONUS RECIPE!
DIY Organic Honey Lip Scrub
Self-Care is important for health and stress management. When we practice it, we take care of our emotional, mental, and physical health. But with everything we do every day, it's something we too often overlook.
Now that it's spring, a time for renewal and growth, it's the perfect time to do something for yourself that benefits you. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. Take care of yourself. You deserve it!
One simple yet rewarding way to do just that is by taking care of your lips. The best treatment for soft lips is an all-natural lip scrub. I have a recipe for a DIY organic honey lip scrub that you can whip up in minutes and will leave your lips feeling oh so soft again.
Why a lip scrub?
For one, they allow cosmetics to adhere longer and go on more smoothly. When you use a lip scrub regularly, your lipsticks and liner will last longer and be more effective.
Also, regularly scrubbing your lips will help them retain moisture longer and prevent dry, cracked lips. How? When you use a scrub, you exfoliate the dead, dull and lifeless skin from your lips and bring out new skin cells, leaving you with smooth and soft lips.
What kind and how often?
You want a scrub that contains both moisturizing and exfoliating agents. I'm a huge fan of all natural products, so my recipe uses inexpensive organic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
It's best to use a lip scrub once a week or every other week year-round and once or twice a week in the winter. It only takes minutes to whip together a small batch, so the whole thing is a very low maintenance way of pampering yourself.
The ideal time to use the scrub is just after getting out of the shower while your lips are still soft.
Recipe Tips
Honey and coconut oil provide the moisturizing aspect. If you don't have coconut oil on hand, you can substitute with almond oil or extra virgin olive oil. As you mix the ingredients, make sure to saturate the sugar well with the oil.
The skin on your lips is thin and can be sensitive, so although you can essentially use any sugar for a scrub, I recommend a fine grain sugar like brown or cane sugar. Alternatively, you can grind down the sugar crystals until they’re less coarse for a finer textured scrub. A quick way to do this is to use a coffee grinder.
Although it's not necessary, you can add lavender essential oil or any other oil of your preference. Lavender essential oil, in particular, helps promote healthy skin and adds a lovely scent to your scrub. I get my essential oils here.
It will keep well in an air-tight container such as a glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. Label the jar with a date so you can keep track of how long you've had it. Take it out 15-30 minutes before use to allow it to soften.
DIY Organic Honey Lip Scrub
Prep Time: 3 Minutes
Ingredients:
Directions:
Do you have any self-care tips? I’d love for you to share in the comments!
Be Well & Thrive!
With Love & In Health,
Sarah Outlaw, MH, MSACN
-For more information on who we are and what we do at Natural Health Improvement Center of South Jersey and Natural Health Improvement Center of Des Moines, browse the rest of our website. We offer Nutritional Coaching, Nutrition Response Testing, Functional Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, and Homeopathy. We also offer detox services including an infrared sauna, and PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy mat, and foot bath(DSM office). We are on the front lines of wellness for you!
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