Looking out of my window this morning and seeing the sunshine and the calm of the water in the distance made me smile. It certainly feels like the start of spring. Snowdrops and crocuses are starting to appear and the days are ever so slightly getting longer.
Spring is about new beginnings and as much as we see the 1st January to reset and refocus, spring is a great time to re-evaluate your life goals and set to work achieving them. Coming out of the darkness breathes life into us and as we come out of hibernation, the daylight welcomes us to enjoy it.
Let’s try something new. Instead of spring cleaning and getting everything in order indoors, why not try a 30 day spring challenge outdoors. It could be as simple as going for a walk each day or if you want something more challenging do a 10k run each day. You choose something that suits you best and pushes you to achieve. You don’t want it to be a struggle but you want it to be a stretch.
To help motivate yourself, if there is something you really want to buy like an item of clothing or a new yoga mat, or concert tickets then why not use this challenge to get there. Divide the amount of money the item costs by each day of the challenge and every day upon completion of your activity, put the amount of money away. You don’t physically need to have the money, you can move the money in your bank account into a savings account and watch your pot of money rise. It may even inspire you to do your challenge for longer and save up for something extra special.
Instead of buying something for yourself why not sign up with a charity for your challenge. Ask people to sponsor you – it doesn’t need to be a lot but can give a worthwhile cause a few more pounds to help.
Being outdoors is so good for your mental health. If a challenge is not your scene, then sitting outside in your garden or in a park and breathing in the fresh air, enjoying nature around you works well too.
If you are someone who wants a purpose to being outdoors and prefers an activity rather than a challenge, why not organise a treasure hunt or a quest. This can be out and about in your local area. Get your family, friends or community together to take up this challenge. If you want to be involved in finding the treasure and solving the clues then look online, you can get treasure hunts for many cities around the UK for a small price.
It is perhaps a little early to go camping as it is a bit chilly, but maybe plan this for later in spring. If camping is your thing then what is more fantastic than waking up and stepping out of your tent into the great outdoors. Fresh air from the moment you get up. It is always a little bit cold but you soon warm up moving about and if you are using a campfire for your meals well this makes it better.
Cooking outdoors makes the food taste amazing, the hard work to get there and the heat of the fire will warm you through. Whilst you are camping, try to keep your phone as far from you as you can and instead chat with your tent mates, telling stories and finding out a little more about each other. Hopefully putting up your tent was stress free and you are reaping the benefits of the outdoors. All the greenery, wildlife and fresh air will help to reduce your stress and anxiety. If you do decide to go camping, make sure you wear plenty of layers though – this is the UK after all.
Why not go to a wildlife reserve or a local forest and take binoculars with you and see what birds and wildlife you can spot. Take a picnic with you and make a day of it. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the outdoors and breathe deep.
Something simple and accessible to all is to sit outdoors and read, you can do this in your own garden or a park or outside your work at lunchtime.
There are so many things you can do outdoors to enjoy spring, find what you enjoy and do it, if you can move an indoor activity to outdoors then go for it. The most important thing is to get outside, breathe deep and enjoy.
Have a lovely week and look after you!
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 