Spring is finally here! The days are longer and brighter, the weather is warmer, flowers start blooming and trees begin to grow their leaver. Here’s a few tips to make sure that you make the most of the next few months.
Spend more time outside
Nature gives as many moments of beauty but also significant health benefits. A number of studies have shown that spending time in parks, at the beach, hiking a mountain or just being outside can reduce stress, improve mental health, boost immune system and even improve your memory. A study by the Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine found that students sent into a forest for two nights had much lower levels of cortisol, (a hormone often used as a marker for stress) than those who spent that time in a city. Another study (Maas J, Verheij RA, de Vries S, et al, 2009) also suggests that that a wide variety of diseases were less prevalent among people who lived close to a green space (whether it’s a park, a mountain or a forest). Other studies have made a direct link between time spent in forests and health issues.
Time to declutter
Have you heard of the phrase Spring Cleaning? Yes? Well, the time has come to get your home in tip-top shape, get rid of things you don’t use or need reset your everyday life. Spring decluttering is actually better than Spring cleaning. In fact, the less you own, the easier it is to clean. Marie Kondo a Japanese organise consultant (and has her own Netflix show), has two tips to help declutter. First, put your hands on everything you own ask yourself if it sparks joy, and if it doesn’t, thank it for its service and get rid of it. Secondly, once you are left with your most joy-bringing belongings, put every item in a place where it’s visible and accessible.
Be more open to new experiences
Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones and allowing ourselves to be more open to new experiences and introduce something new in your life will make you happier. New experiences will bring new memories which you get to make them, store them and reflect upon them. Start a hobby or an activity that you were to afraid start – there is sincere happiness when we achieve something on our own. However, always remember that failure is part of trying something new. So, if at first you fail, try, try, try, try, try and try again. You will come back with new life lessons, perspectives and even friends.