Lightening Our Hearts and Boosting Our Health this Spring

by Jenniferlyn Kryvicky, MS, LN

It is finally here!  Spring, the time of renewal – a time that the world around us blooms and sprouts in bounty – and there’s an innate desire within us to do the same.  The heaviness of Winter is still lingering, but when the sun starts shining a little warmer, we desire to go into major spring cleaning mode.   
 
This could mean our homes, closets, eating habits, relationships, and maybe even a social media detox -- who can’t use that every once in awhile!?  Needless to say, we are thirsting to feel a little lighter, in more ways than one, when Spring finds us.   

This year is no different even as many of us are in the midst of the Pandemic which is turning our worlds upside down and inside out.  The weight of winter is not releasing like normal for many of us, so we are left with lingering heavy hearts and even fears about what is happening all around us. 

 

During these uncertain times, it helps us to find simple things to focus on to help us keep some sense of normalcy - whatever that means now days!   
 
Here are a few, simple ways you can feel lighter as we transition into Spring
 
1.  Simplify.  With shelter in place orders across the country, our complicated lives have started to simplify on our behalf.  What to simplify with intention?  Your meals, your obligations, your extra activities, even your home and living spaces.   Starting with the low hanging fruit lefts focus on our food.  Try eating very simply for the next week and see how things shift for you and ripple into other areas of your life.  Eat whole foods, with few ingredients and low prep time.  Think mason jar salads or roasted broccoli and a small piece of grilled salmon.  Simplicity can be delicious.   
 
2.  When life gives you lemons... use them to support your digestion and fight inflammation.  It may sound incredibly simple, but that’s what we’re doing here!  Simple, beneficial changes that don’t overwhelm.  Add a squeeze of lemon into your water in the morning (and throughout the day, if you wish) and enjoy the alkalizing, naturally detoxification benefits.  Your digestive system will thank you and you’ll enjoy a nice boost of natural energy. For extra credit, add in some raw Apple Cider Vinegar (Braggs or similar), and some cinnamon. 
 
3.  Start small.  Make a list of what you’d like to declutter in your home.  Start small, and make a list of which tasks have priority.  Can you not even remember the last time you’ve worn one whole half of your closet?  Start there.  In stead of starting with whatever the biggest emotional burden on you. - which may feel like the place to start - start with what you can get done in the quickest amount of time.  Why?  While the state of your surroundings has a huge impact on your overall well-being - going all in can result in even more frustration.  Once principle we teach in the Mind Body Shine is the KISS principle of triage self care - KEEP IT STOOOPIDLY SIMPLE!   Start off with the easiest task and then work your way up.  This allows you to build trust with yourself and 
 
4.  Small Improvements.  What have you been hoping to add to your life to give it more value?  If you have done the Wheel of Life exercise we do in the Mind Body Shine program, what areas of your life are you looking to invest more energy into?  Have you been meaning to start painting again?  Have you been promising yourself for months that you were finally going to start working out, or reading more?  What instantly pops in your head when you read this?  Start by adding one thing in the next week that will improve the quality of your life.  Perhaps that’s a new, relaxing evening ritual or a commitment to get bi-weekly massages for stress relief.  Pick one thing, and go for it!  
 
Baby steps coupled with consistent, daily action will get you there in no time, without overwhelm!  If you are starting to feel burdened by your Spring Simplification actions, take a moment to pause and to feel out what is it that is causing this feeling.    

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In health, ​

Coach Jenniferlyn, Functional Nutritionist and Lifestyle Practitioner