Spring reset

As the winter comes to an end, and the spring season approaches, it's the perfect time to embrace a fresh start and leave the winter blues behind. Along with the suggestions above, the most important thing is to prioritize our mental and physical health. During the winter months, we usually spend more time indoors, which can affect our mental health negatively. Now that it's warming up, take advantage of the warm weather! Spending more time outdoors has so many benefits.

This 2012 study, "The Benefits of Nature Experience: Improved Affect and Cognition", found that spending time in nature can improve mood, reduce stress levels, and improve cognitive functioning. Participants who spent time in nature reported higher levels of positive affect and lower levels of negative affect compared to those who spent time in urban environments. Additionally, those who spent time in nature showed improvements in working memory and attention (Bratman et al.).

In "Exposure to Nature and Public Health: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", Shanahan et al., found that exposure to nature can have a significant positive impact on physical and mental health. The authors conducted a systematic review of 143 studies and found that spending time in nature was associated with reduced stress levels, improved mood, and lower rates of depression and anxiety. Additionally, exposure to nature was associated with lower blood pressure, improved immune functioning, and reduced risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

A 2010 study published in Extreme Physiology & Medicine, found that green exercise, or physical activity that takes place in nature, can have numerous benefits for mental and physical health. The authors reviewed a number of studies and found that green exercise was associated with improvements in mood, self-esteem, and cognitive functioning. Additionally, green exercise was associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, and was shown to have a positive impact on physical health outcomes such as weight management and cardiovascular health (Barton & Pretty).

Also, establishing healthier daily habits like getting to bed earlier, establishing a consistent sleeping schedule, and having a healthier diet can bring such dramatic, positive changes in your life. Prioritizing rest and relaxation is also crucial as it helps us recharge and perform our daily habits at 100% rather than doing everything on autopilot.

Try something new on this list every day and see the small improvements it brings in your daily life🤍

1. "The Benefits of Nature Experience: Improved Affect and Cognition" by Gregory N. Bratman, J. Paul Hamilton, and Gretchen C. Daily, published in Landscape and Urban Planning (2012)

2. "Exposure to Nature and Public Health: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" by Danielle F. Shanahan, Richard A. Fuller, et al., published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2016)

3. "The Great Outdoors: How a Green Exercise Environment Can Benefit All" by Jo Barton and Jules Pretty, published in Extreme Physiology & Medicine (2010)