TIPS FOR TRANSITIONING FROM SPRING TO SUMMER
Have you been feeling a bit more energized the past few months? We are a part of the world we live in—the moon, the tides, the air we breathe, and of course the change of seasons. And it’s no surprise that our bodies react to these subtle changes to the environment around us. Often times before we are even consciously aware of them.
Just like when we transitioned from winter to spring by eating less hearty, warming meals and started resetting our bodies by adding more juices, smoothies, and leafy greens—our bodies are now sensing the first day of summer. The Summer Solstice, usually occurring between June 20-22, marks the longest day of the year for us in the Northern Hemisphere. And summer also brings with it warmer temperatures, more sunlight, outdoor adventures, and wide variety of summer fruits and vegetables!
So how do you create an easy, holistic approach for yourself and your family? What we always tell our clients is, start with the basics, the five non-negotiables: Mindset, Movement, Diet, Stress, and Sleep. Here are some simple self-care tips to help you make the transition from spring to summer and make health more enjoyable.
Listen to Your Body
Be thoughtful about what you put into it and what you expose it to. If you’ve been living too much in your head, it’s time to get to know your body again. Listen to your intuition. The cravings that you might be having, might not be just a casual craving. They are signs that your body knows exactly what it needs to get healthy.
Eat with The Seasons
Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Optimize your digestion by eating during day light hours and around the food that is in-season. Visit your local Farmer’s Market and choose fresh, local, organic foods. Or you can pick what is ready to harvest in your own garden. When you can get outside, get your hands dirty, and connect with the earth it will help ground and center our minds and slow down our stress response. Having a garden, even if it’s a simple herb garden, can help keep us stay touch with what our bodies needs at just the right time.
Take Time for Yourself
Self-care isn’t selfish. When we can focus on being in parasympathetic (relaxation response) our bodies can recover and relax better to our everyday activities and stressors, but not when we’re on the go. Focus on yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. Jason and I are always looking for new ways to add a variety of these activities for ourselves and our clients. We’re excited to offer Intro to Mindfulness on June 8th with our friend and Mindful Meditation Teacher, Jodie Seymour.
Connect with Nature
Summer is always a great time to get outside, breathe deep, fill up our lungs, and turn your face up to the sunshine. Give yourself space to stretch and move freely and connect with nature. Just make sure you’re prepared for the outdoor activities too. Remember to wear your mosquito and tick repellent. I recommend a topical spray by Bohemian Reves that we sell at our Carpenter PT/COR Health Solutions location in Warrensburg, New York. The Summer Blues Bug Spray is a favorite of mine and made with all organic ingredients like rose water, witch hazel, and essential oils. Oh, and did I mention it smells amazing!
Movement Is Essential
Regular movement is essential and your body that thrives on it. Physical activity like walking, rocking, or dancing can help optimize our digestion and lymphatic drainage. The Lymphatic System is essentially our bodies sewage system and can get thick and congested. Movement and proper hydration will help to thin it out, making our skin and body feel better when our lymph is moving. Rocking in a rocking chair can stimulate digestion, facilitate that lymphatic drainage, and calm the nervous system.
Stay Hydrated
You can eat foods that naturally have a higher water content like melons, strawberries, pineapple, bell peppers, broccoli, and celery—just to name a few. Ultimately, it comes down to the amount of water we consume in a given day. We need about 100 ounces of clean, filtered water per day for optimal hydration. But this number can vary person to person, so it’s important to determine how much you need to drink for you. Here is a water intake calculator that will show you how much you should drink on a daily basis. Proper hydration includes water, plus minerals and electrolytes. I love adding a packet of Revitalize to 32 ounces of water to fuel my body’s energy production.
Get Your Rest
Good quality, deep sleep is one of the best things we can do to charge our battery. I strive for 7-9 hours per night, but I know that sometimes that can be a challenge. So, that’s why it’s important that at the end of the day we can relax and let go. Here are a few sleep tips to help each one of us fall asleep easily and give our bodies what they need most.
Give yourself a little time every day to recharge and enjoy this beautiful transition of seasons.