A person holds a plant close on their lap.

Creating A Springtime Wellness Practice

March 23, 2022 Jilana Thomas

With the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, we are reminded by nature that transition + change are natural cycles of life. This season brings a brighter and renewed energy for plants + humans alike. It can be useful to think of our lives in seasons, too. A reminder that we can allow ourselves to reset + prepare for the next chapter.

As we all look toward longer and warmer days, we’ve prepared tips for maintaining physical, mental + plant health during this spring season.

Spring Plant Care

Plants make exquisite examples of how living beings respond to natural cycles of change. As they wake from their season of rest, they may shed a few yellow leaves + emerge new growth. We’ll soon be rewarded with luscious foliage now that the growing season has returned. Here are 4 things you can do to prep your green companions:

Prune leaves and stems to remove the old + encourage new growth
Gently dust + wipe leaves clean
Refresh with new soil and/or repot into a larger planter
Make DIY fertilizers for extra nutrients

Refresh Your Routine

After months of colder temperatures, early sunsets, and lower energy levels, spring is a great time to reset ourselves with adjustments and additions to our routine. Small changes like waking up 30 minutes earlier, daily exercise, or cooking a meal can be impactful in matching this renewed energy and how we approach our day. To lay the groundwork for this new leaf, here are some reflections to consider:

What goal(s) do I still want to accomplish this year + what are the next steps I can take toward it/them?
Which parts of myself do I want to uplift and tend to in this coming season?
Are there any hobbies, pleasures, and self-care that can support me in the coming months?
What boundaries do I need with myself and others to sustain new changes?

Making Use of Essential Oils

Essential oils offer a bulk of benefits to bring us into the spring season. Immune support, aromatherapy, and other healing properties are just a few reasons why these plant extracts are so highly celebrated.

Their natural antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic qualities allow them to be used widely. Emitted through a diffuser, applied topically with a carrier oil, dried in teas, added to DIY cleaners, or smelled directly, it’s easy to indulge in this type of self-care while taking time to do something else. Test out some of these essential oils this season:

TEA TREE

Tea Tree oil is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, plus has many other healing benefits! It can be added to natural household cleaners or diluted to treat eczema, acne, and infections. Diluted tea tree also makes a great anti-itch concoction as bug bites return.

LAVENDER

Lavender oil wins extra points for being pet-safe and its ability to regulate our nervous system AKA bring us into a calmer state. Add a few drops into your bath or find it dried in teas. Lavender essential oil is also antibacterial, making it a powerful cleaning agent!

EUCALYPTUS

Eucalyptus oil offers plenty of relief for physical sensations, including achy muscles, headaches, and allergy + sinus symptoms. Dilute with a carrier oil and apply directly to the skin for immediate relief or add to a steamy shower with deep breathing to clear congestion.

CITRUS

Citrus essential oils such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit are antibacterial, energizing, and offer relief from symptoms of anxiety. Treat yourself to a steamy citrus shower to give yourself a morning mood boost!

A safety note on essential oils: It’s important to research how each oil should be safely used as essential oils can be toxic to pets, pregnancy, and certain age groups. Always dilute pure oils with a carrier oil before applying topically.

Improvements To Your Space

“Spring cleaning” offers legitimate benefits for our mental + emotional wellbeing. Completing even just small tasks sends a message to the brain which then rewards you with a boost of dopamine. Dopamine, the “happy hormone”, helps us feel proud of ourselves and motivates us to do more. Even more, this task is a great way to align your mind and space with that of Spring. So, get your to-do list ready! Here are a few ways to renew the energy in your home for what’s to come:

Remove dirt and marks from your windows
Dust off ceiling fans, shelves, rugs, and baseboards
Donate old threads + bring warm-weather clothing into view
Rearrange the furniture and layout of your rooms
Clean out your fridge and pantry
Invest in something small that can make life pleasant (an organization system, class, kitchen gadget, or flowers for the table)

Spend Time With The Sun

Studies have shown that spending time outdoors and exercising can improve our mood, increase focus + memory, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. As the days get longer, we can double-dip on the benefits by soaking up Vitamin D. Through nature and the power of the sun, we receive a boost of serotonin which builds our immune system, aids bodily functions, and keeps us from feeling blue.

Not all time outdoors has to be spent exercising, of course. Resting at a bench with a book, having a cookout with loved ones, and smelling the flowers are all great ways to spend time with nature. Remember to stay hydrated!

Fuel Yourself With Seasonal Foods

Springtime expands our options for fresh + local fruits and veggies. Seasonal produce is packed full of nutrients (and flavor!), which boost our brain functions, immune system, energy, and mood. Produce grown locally is also easier on our environment and resources. Fuel your body with these tasty spring fruits and veggies:

Apricots
Kiwi
Pineapple
Asparagus
Cabbage
Spinach
Chard

Spring-Inspired Affirmations

Affirmations can be a great tool for reframing difficult or negative thoughts + beliefs. We offer these Grounded affirmations to include in your spring mindset this season: