Insights

1. Get Outside

Now that spring has arrived, we can look forward to all the wonderful benefits that come with spending time in the great outdoors. Being in nature has positive psychological and physical benefits. Soaking up some rays (with plenty of SPF, of course!) can lower the risk of depression and aid in stress recovery.

There are also more opportunities to be social when the weather warms up, which can help with building connections with friends and family that may have been lost during the colder months. Take advantage of activities in the community around you such as outdoor concerts, movie nights in the park, food truck events, or local races.

Being outdoors can increase your motivation, as well, so don’t let the moment pass you by. Take steps to support an active lifestyle by taking daily walks around your neighborhood or in a local park, find a hiking path that allows you to go to new heights, and maybe pick up a new hobby, like yoga in the park or bike riding.

2. Stay Connected

Being around people who motivate you is helpful in achieving your goals. Whether that is a friend to go on a walk with or a family member who has goals to make positive changes. When you have people who can keep you accountable, you are more likely to stick to your new habits.

Making and keeping connections is also a valuable aspect of mental health. While spring is a great time to do this in person, that is often limiting based on schedules and availability. Thankfully, technology has made it easy to bridge the gap and keep in touch from a distance. Communicating through social media, phone calls, texting, or even sending a card can be a great way to build your community and check in regularly with those around you.

3. Get Some Rest

While caring for others in their time of crisis can be rewarding, it can also be draining. Taking the time to rest and recuperate on your time off is an important part of maintaining your well-being.

Resting doesn’t necessarily equal sleep. Yes, more sleep would always be nice but finding other ways to unwind might be more practical way to reduce daily stress.

A few active rest options:

• Stretching – Your work requires you to be on your feet for extended hours, lift heavy objects, bend, and move in odd ways which can lead to tight muscles. Incorporating stretching into your routine prevents injury and increase your serotonin levels.
• Meditation – Allowing your mind to relax and your thoughts come into focus can have many benefits such as increase your patience, reduce negative emotions, manage your stress levels, and gain a new perspective on stressful situations.
• Reading – Whether you’re into true crime, mystery, science fiction, or romance, reading is a wonderful way to tune out the stressors of the day. Not only does reading improve your concentration and ability to focus, but it can also improve your sleep. Try incorporating reading into your nightly routine instead of doom scrolling before you fall asleep.
• Getting a Massage – Massages stimulate the circulatory system, supporting a body’s natural detoxifying functions, relieves tension, and increases energy.

4. Stay Hydrated

As the weather warms up and you are spending more time outside and on the go, it’s easy to slack off on water consumption. However, drinking enough water is crucial in keeping your organs functioning properly, regulate your body temperature, and keep you energized. Below are a few habits that you can pick up to help maintain your hydration this spring and summer:

• Drink water first thing in the morning and before you go to bed.
• Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go!
• Try adding fresh fruit to your water as a natural sweetener.
• Eat hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Limit your alcohol consumption.

5. Learn your Health History

Knowing your family health history is an important way to protect your health. By collecting your family health history, your doctor will be better able to determine if you may be at an increased risk of developing a particular condition and help you to take steps to prevent future problems.