Today I wanted to share with you my current top 7 Late Spring Self Care Tips that make sure to care for your mind, body, soul, and foster your spirituality.
May and June are exciting months when the weather finally turns to warm the earth as the buds of spring begin to bloom in full glory. With all of the excitement of Spring we can sometimes forget about caring for ourselves as we turn our focus to getting back outside. This calls for a touch more of self care, especially since the busy days of summer are right around the corner. If we instill these self care habits now, while on the cusp of the busiest season of the year, we will find ourselves in much better shape as the summer stretches on.
This is our chance to start again.
mind
1. Refine, Observe, & Build Momentum.
After the Spring has sprung and we get out all of our excitement and zoomies, we need to make sure to care for our minds by taking the time to focus on ourselves and our own goals that we set at Spring and at the beginning of the year. This can be as simple as reflecting on the progress of your goals over a cup of coffee or tea. You can also journal your observations of your goals since setting them, and then refine them by setting up plans that focus on driving them forward. But remember, planning without action means nothing. Now is the time to build that momentum towards your goals by re-evaluating them.
body
2. Nourish your body with local raw foods.
Farmers markets are starting to open for the spring and summer season at this time of year. We all know that raw, unprocessed vegetables have higher nutritional value than cooked, honey is no different. Local honey is a really good example of nourishing your body with local foods. Consuming raw local honey helps your body strengthen its immune system, and reduce pollen allergy symptoms. But how you may wonder? The Bees are making honey with local pollen, so their honey is almost like a flu shot made pacifically for your region in the spring time for those of us sensitive to pollen allergy symptoms. Raw local honey that hasn’t been heated or pasteurize contains natural vitamins, enzymes, powerful antioxidants, and more important nutrients.
By supporting local honey producers, you can verify that the honey you’re purchasing is truly raw and has the beneficial properties that humans have used for centuries to treat many ailments.
3. Take your exercise practice outside.
Take your exercise practice outside in the spring sun. I absolutely love taking my yoga practice outside onto our deck. If I have more time, I love to take a short hike to a near by arboretum and practice yoga in a clearing while soaking up all of that sunshine that has finally broken back through. I also like to listen to podcasts or music when I’m doing something practical like gardening.
4. Plan a seasonally appropriate body care routine.
Plan a seasonally appropriate body care beauty routine. I’ve noticed that my dry winter skin actually appreciates body oils as the seasons shift before I settle into a lighter moisturizer for the peak of summer. You could also take the time to make your own body scrub to sluff away the last remnants of dead dry winter skin cells. I have a few favorite go to recipes for salt and sugar scrubs that I have been using for years that I’ll be sharing soon, subscribe so you don’t miss it. I’ve also recently tried an exfoliating brush that is working surprisingly well.
soul
5. Pick up a new book that relates to one of your goals.
Weather you buy, borrow, or listen to a book, just be sure to immerse yourself within its pages. And remember you don’t always have to buy a book. I am borrowing my book list from the library this year through the app Libby. I like to listen to my books while I’m on a walk, and it ended up taking me six day’s to finish my first book of the year. So I highly recommend utilizing audio books on any platform.
6. Find ways to give back by donating your unwanted items to charity.
Spring cleaning your home, closets, garage, car, not only revitalizes your space, its also a cost-free way to give back. Donate seasonal clothing items and blankets you don’t use anymore to shelters. If you’re not sure where to find your local shelters, you can always donate these items to a church or food pantry. There you can be sure that your items will make it to those in need. Still not sure? You can always call your local police station on their non emergency line and ask them for shelter locations to donate to.
spirituality
7. Connect with nature by taking a mindful walk.
In a previous article, 7 Mid Winter Self Care Tips, I mention that you need to find ways to connect with nature even though its cold outside. Luckily with Spring, we don’t have that problem at all! So at this time of year, its not about figuring out how to get outside, its about tapping into the moment whenever we are outside. Instead of getting into the zone of “doing mode,” consciously stop and smell the roses! The dogwood trees are blooming right now and the other buds are starting to open. Stop and look at them, smell the flowers in the trees and appreciate the vibrancy of the yellow daffodils.
If you are still having trouble remembering to be mindful on this nature walk, go out with the intention of taking pictures of the re-emerging nature all around you. With the intention of taking photos, mindfulness is built in because you have to stop, look, and appreciate. With this tactic, you might even stop and smell a few flowers.
I hope that these 7 Late Spring Self Care Tips help you feel rooted and connected with your mind, body, soul, and foster your spirituality. Be sure to take care of yourself in whatever way works for you during the warm months. I’d love to hear in the comments below what you do to practice self care during late spring.
How are you connecting to your spirituality?
