by Emilie Reid from Seasonal Intentions
1. Have a consistent daily routine.
The body loves consistency. Boring and mundane is good, especially during transitions of any kind. Wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday. If this is the one thing you do for yourself, you’ll feel a difference right away.
2. Make meditation and movement part of your daily routine.
There is a style of meditation and a movement practice that is as unique as you. The more important thing is that you do it. Just do it! is the mantra here. You can even meditate in bed before you get up, and it can be as little as 8-10 minutes.
Much like acupuncture, movement offers us a chance to literally move energy without the needles. If you’re feeling stuck, move your body. If you’re sad or stressed, move your body. If you’re feeling wired or tired, move your body. I promise you’ll feel differently afterwards.
3. Eat seasonal foods that are well-cooked and well-spiced.
Ayurveda, the sister science to Yoga recommends we eat cooked food so that it’s easier to digest, and our digestion tends to tank come Spring. What people don’t often realize is that digestion is directly connected to immunity. Eating well-cooked foods is key to preventing a Spring cold.
This is sometimes hard for the salad-lovers to hear. Did you know you can cook your salad? It’s not just the Ayurvedis who do it. I lived on a farm in Tuscany and we ate cooked endive. Slice it in half lengthwise and pop in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Drizzle with good olive oil, salt, and dried oregano, and enjoy.
4. Make small adjustments to your daily routine with the change of seasons.
Nature gives us what we need, and bitter greens are amongst the first fresh produce of the growing season. You’ll feel it. You’ll start craving things like arugula, escarole, mustard greens, which will start showing up at the farmers market.
To stay in balance, apply the opposite quality. Spring can feel heavy - hello, mud season! To balance Spring sluggishness, lighten up and spice up your meals and workouts. This is the time of year you can get away with eating things like popcorn, kimchi and spicier soups. My perfect spring meal is a pho-style soup with clear broth, lots of leafy greens, fresh herbs and green onions.
Spring is also the time when I encourage more vigorous exercise. No need to run a marathon out of the gate. Start by scheduling a consistent time in your daily calendar for movement, and try something more vigorous than what you’ve been doing during the winter season.
Get out your hair dryer. When you start feeling mucusy, blow dry your hair. Do no use the neti pot if you’re feeling super dry or super wet. Neti is a great cleansing practice as a preventive measure, but can actually induce a sinus infection if you use it when you’re stuffed up.
Drink herbal teas to support your adrenals, kidneys (your batteries), and liver (detox). Here again, look to nature for clues. The first herbs to appear in Spring are violets, dandelions, and nettles, all of which are super supportive in the Spring. Try a cup of nettle tea in the afternoon.
Start growing some herbs in your kitchen window, like parsley, cilantro and basil, and use them liberally when you cook. Fresh herbs are the best, and you’ll start feeling the spring vibe when you grow them yourself.
5. Honor transitions.
Transitions can be challenging, for the body, for your immune system, emotionally, mentally, and in ways we can’t always name. Be gentle with yourself, and keep it simple. Simplify your foods, simplify your routine, and simplify your to-do list.
Nothing is forever. Enjoy the season!
About the Author
Emilie Reid is a wellness, yoga & meditation guide helping women manage the seasonal transitions of life with greater ease. Connect with her on Instagram @seasonalintentions_ and at Seasonalintentions.com.
