ΩΩSpringtime means something different to everyone and should be celebrated as such. It could mean the ushering in of warmer weather and outdoor activities or serve as a promise that summer is well on its way. And for some, well... it might just mean severe allergies. No matter how a person rings in the spring season, whether it be with great gusto or a box of tissues, it's still the perfect time to start taking advantage of all those seasonal changes.
Our moods are lifted when we can step outside and feel the warmth from the sun on our faces, see the grass peeking up through the dirt, and smell the season's first flower buds. From a scientific standpoint, all of this fresh air can only help even if it's through an open window. Longer daylight hours help to switch our brains over to a more productive, less drained state, which means we feel like we can do and experience more. This may have been stunted due to the pandemic but this year, things are looking up... and here's how to take advantage of it.
Try Cooking Seasonally
Taste and Scent are two of our most popular senses and it only makes sense that in order to fully experience spring, we should eat according to what it dictates. There are so many fruits and vegetables that are in season right now and this is a great excuse to make a trip to the local farmer's market. Some of the most popular vegetables to start with are artichokes, asparagus, arugula, beets, carrots, fennel, kale, leeks, morels, parsley, pea greens, radishes, turnips, and spinach. Any number of these things can be eaten fresh in a salad or roasted as a side with dinner, and it'll make you feel good from the inside out.
The fruits that are in season during springtime are apricots, grapefruit, cherries, kiwi, lemons, and strawberries. Any of them can be added to breakfast to start the day off with that exuberant burst of flavor or you can try your hand at a strawberry rhubarb pie to make the entire house smell like spring.
Go One Step Further And Plant A Garden
Some days, it's harder to leave the house than others... and there's a solution to that, too. Planting a garden is good in so many ways (more than we can even list here!) but the main benefits come in the form of crops that you've grown with your own two hands, and the mental health benefits of being outdoors, being active and walking away feeling accomplished.
There's something both beautiful and rewarding in planting a garden and there's no experience required in order to get one's hands dirty. A little sunlight, a good patch of dirt, and some routine watering are all it takes for most vegetables, fruits, and herbs to plant roots.
Take Up A New Outdoor Recreational Hobby, Such As Biking
Being outdoors is one of the most rewarding things about spring and its weather. For anyone who's ever wanted to take up a springtime sport, this is your sign to go ahead and do it. We've seen all of the awesome rollerskating videos on TikTok, too - there's no one stopping you now!
If rollerskating isn't something of interest, then a good 'ol bike might be just the thing. If nothing else, a new pair of walking sneakers is a surefire way to get outside and get moving.
Start Planning Your First Summer Gathering
For some reason, planning things helps boost endorphins levels just by creating something that a person has to look forward to. It doesn't even need to be a huge gathering, even planning something as seemingly small as a fun day together with a few of your closest friends or family can be uplifting.
Plan a hiking trip for the day, make a plan to spend the day in the park with good food, or plan a BBQ in your own backyard - whatever it might be, start making lists, send out invites, and create a fun playlist.
Get Some Spring Cleaning Done Rather Than Procrastinating
It might not sound like fun at first but trust the process. There's a reason that spring cleaning is held in such high regard when it comes to the first time of the year when windows and doors can be left open.
Not only are you ushering all of that winter dust out, but the bright daylight hours, warm temperatures, and overall feel of being 'awake' provide a motivation like no other! Plus, the feeling when it's all done and dusted (literally) is pure endorphins.