Spring is a season of change and growth, not to mention warmer weather, longer days and more sunlight in most places. It’s also a time when many of us feel inspired to make changes in our routine. After a winter spent cooped up inside, eating comforting foods and exercising indoors (or taking more rest days), you might feel motivated to move more, clean or organize your home and change things up in your life.
As spring inches closer, these five tips will help you feel your best!
1. Switch up your menu.
Winter menus tend to be warm, heavy and comforting. Once those first springtime crops show up at the grocery store and farmers markets, your taste buds might be ready for something new. Swap slow cooker soups and stews for fresh dishes with seasonal produce. Strawberries, asparagus, tender greens, herbs and fava beans arrive in early spring, so embrace fresh dishes that feature these tasty foods.
Tip: If you’re suddenly eating more beans and veggies, the enzymes in VeggieGest™ can help reduce the occasional gas and bloating their complex carbohydrates can cause.* This enzyme formula is our go-to for vegan and vegetarian diets, 30-day plant-based challenges or any time you’re eating more beans, grains and raw vegetables.*
2. Soak up the sun!
We happen to be headquartered in the Sunshine State, so we get more sunshine in winter than most. Still, we also get excited for the longer, brighter days of spring. Getting some sunlight early in the day has plenty of benefits. Make time to get outside! Not only does sunshine warm you up — and boost your mood by promoting serotonin production — but it also may also help promote healthy sleep. Your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) thrives with access to light in the mornings and darkness at night.
Tip: Sunlight also helps your body produce vitamin D (aka the sunshine vitamin). It takes 10-30 minutes of sun exposure midday to maintain healthy blood levels of vitamin D. (Learn why vitamin D3 is the preferred form!)
3. Spring clean your home.
The history of spring cleaning dates back to ancient times, but now almost every culture has some version of the practice. It’s likely linked to the weather: We stay inside, with our homes closed up, all winter long. Come spring, it’s time to literally and metaphorically sweep away the stagnant energy — along with indoor and environmental irritants. In addition to the usual cleaning tasks, you might want to check the filters in any air purifiers or your HVAC system. These filter out irritants like dander, pollen and dust.
Tip: Enzymes can offer support beyond digestion! Allerase™ delivers enzymes for seasonal, indoor and outdoor irritant support.* The natural, non-drowsy formula is free of side effects. It includes the Mucolase™ enzyme designed to target and break down mucus.*
4. Stay on top of your sleep.
Staying on track with sleep can be a challenge, especially when it’s time to change the clocks. Commit to getting your seven to eight hours a night whenever possible. That might mean giving yourself a bedtime (preferably a consistent one). Count back from the time you need to get up in the mornings, then set an alarm to remind you to go to bed on time.
Tip: If you’re working on your bedtime routine, the mineral magnesium can help you get a good night’s rest.* Magnesium relieves tension and supports soothing slumber.* This mineral also helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Also known as your “rest and digest” system, it is in charge of shifting you toward a state of peaceful calm and relaxation. Magnesium helps regulate certain neurotransmitters as well as melatonin, which is tasked with maintaining the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm).*
5. Focus on fiber.
Spring cleaning can apply to your meals and dietary plans, too! Now that fresh produce is in season again, reach for it. Clean out the processed snacks as part of your spring cleaning routine, and find more ways to boost your fiber intake daily. Only 5% of Americans get enough dietary fiber on a daily basis — but this essential nutrient helps promote regularity, satisfy hunger and beat belly bloat.* Read this for 21 tips to get more fiber!
Tip: Fiber only comes from plants, so you need to eat more nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes to get more of it. But you’ll also find fiber in functional foods, which help bridge the gap when we aren’t getting the recommended amounts of certain nutrients. Functional foods offer an alternative to not-so-tasty fiber drinks or supplements that increase fiber intake too much, too soon (leading to unpleasant side effects).
6. Get moving when you can.
This spring, commit to something new that gets you up and moving. Maybe you swap group texts for an in-person walk with friends once a week. Recruit your family to start a flower or herb garden together. Take your dog for longer or more frequent walks — or volunteer to help socialize dogs at your local animal shelter. This is also a great time to train for a race, whether you prefer to walk, run or ride your bike.
Tip: The right mix of enzymes can help the body to naturally recover from strenuous exercise. Proteolytic enzymes are best for recovery and have commonly been used for sore muscles from overexertion.* Repair Gold includes proteolytic enzymes like protease, catalase, serrapeptase, bromelain and papain. When you’re new to working out or kicking it up a notch, this formula is great to use after exercise or overexertion.* With targeted enzymes for muscle, tissue and joint function, because recovery is as important as what happens at the gym!*
