Who is ready to ditch the winter coats and welcome blooming flowers, pastel colors and warmer temperatures? At Silver Linings for Seniors, we are ready to welcome Spring! The winter months can be challenging for several reasons: seasonal depression, the debilitating cold and stressful holiday season. Overall, Spring feels a lot like a new beginning! Below are five tips to maximize your spring season and get yourself out of the rut you may have been experiencing these past several months.
1.) Take advantage of the beautiful weather
Nature has so much to offer and can really be a stress reliever. If you are able, try and get out of the house and go on a walk to enjoy mother nature. In North Carolina, we are fortunate to have some beautiful state parks, too! Take pleasure in a hike or nature walk. For those of you that aren’t able to get out of the house take a look out the window and enjoy the view.
2.) Eat outdoors
Whether you are out to eat at a restaurant, or you are eating in your backyard, enjoy the fresh air. After winter is over and we can finally enjoy the crisp, spring air, it will feel good to sit outside with good food and good company!
3.) Get yourself a bird feeder
If you don’t have a bird feeder, invest in one! Watching the birds can be something that you look forward to each and every day. Having something that we are excited to wake up to is good for our mental health. Though something as small as a bird feeder seems insignificant and trivial, the smallest things in life can make us the happiest.
If you would really like to challenge yourself and save some money, make your own bird feeder! You can even make this a family activity and have your children or grandchildren partake. Click on the link below to see some examples of homemade bird feeders.
https://www.diyncrafts.com/3515/home/23-diy-birdfeeders-will-fill-garden-birds
4.) Plant a garden
Not only can a garden be a good source of healthy food, but it has several other benefits, too. You are outside getting fresh air and getting your heart rate up by working on your craft. According to the Arbor Company, “tending to a garden can boost your level of Vitamin D, which can, in turn, help reduce the risk of bone problems and fractures.”
5.) Visit the Farmer’s Market
Living in North Carolina, there are Farmer’s Markets all around us. More often than not, if you are able to go online or look in the newspaper, you will see what events are being featured week by week. Farmer’s Markets are usually open on Saturdays or Sundays and play host to many wonderful, local people selling goods. Not only can you get fruits and vegetables at a Farmer’s Market, but they also typically have tents that sell clothing, jewelry, home decor and so much more.
Whether you go to the Farmer’s Marketing by yourself or with a group of friends, enjoy shopping local and getting some crisp, fresh air.
If you read carefully through each tip listed above, almost each one has a component of getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Why is that so important? Fresh air can literally make you happier! According to kent-teach.com, “The more fresh air you get, the more oxygen you will breathe which will increase the amount of serotonin (the happy hormone) you inhale, consequently making you happier.”
With all of that being said, get out and do what makes you happy!
Is Spring your favorite season or do you enjoy summer, winter or fall? Let us know by commenting down below!