Healthy Ways to Prepare for Spring
Spring is around the corner. Airlines are having major deals, discounts on swimwear are at an all-time high, and I’m almost sure we can feel the white sand between our toes as we picture how great we’ll look living our best lives. Before we dive into those cool ocean waters, here’s some food for thought. Have we ever prepared ourselves physically for vacation? Getting our bodies right for spring/summer is a give in but we put so much emphasis on working out that other alternatives can be missed.
Here’s 4 ways to keep our health in top shape while we prep for the new season:
Get a check up
When it comes to our health, we can never be too cautious. I understand the anxiety that comes along with gowns, stethoscopes and beeping machines that we can’t comprehend, but it’s better to face our fears and actively work towards good health and preventative measures, than to have a looming cloud over everything we do because we don’t feel well. Often, we choose to be bashful with our health providers in hopes of enduring a quicker session. That trend needs to stop as soon as possible. Take advantage of a golden opportunity to let your concerns be known so that nothing is off the table. Communicating with your health team is essential for maintaining and receive good care. If you don't feel comfortable or feel as if you are not being heard, there are many doctors out there. Don't stop until you've found the right one.
2. Take vitamins
Now I know. There are many debates around the topic of if vitamins are necessary or not. An easy way to keep up with our required nutrients is by taking multivitamins (of course consulting with your physician first). Vitamins contain the essentials like Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, etc. For those of us who aren’t fans of taking pills, gummy vitamins are a great alternative. Brands such as Vitafusion and One-A-Day have gummies that cater to the amounts needed for general adults or specific genders. All of them have great fruity flavors that would remind us of a fruit snack rather than medicine.
3. Wash hands/use hand sanitizer
Throughout the day, we touch many surfaces, handrails and doorknobs, but we immediately touch our faces afterwards without a second thought. Though some germs are good for us, most aren’t so washing our hands is vital. As a teacher, I literally have to spend half the day washing my hands/the children’s hands because of the things we touch and it gets tiresome, but it’s mandatory to stay in good health. According to the Center for Disease Control, we need to wash our hands for at least 20 seconds. I know this sounds tedious, but most of us aren’t aware that there’s a time limit for things like this. The more we know, the more we grow right? Hand sanitizer is great for on-the-go activities and when we’re without bathrooms, but it never replaces soap and water.
4. Maintain a balanced diet
We are what we eat, so let’s make sure our temples are filled with the necessary categories and servings that will force us to be our very best. I encourage you to ask your friends who are devout fitness fanatics for meal prep suggestions or just a way to begin getting a handle on what you put in your body. Also, research, research, research! If there’s a blogger that you love that covers healthy meals, ask them about their journey as well. One thing that has been a game changer for me has been cutting out fried foods as much as I can. Since then, I have retained more energy and less acne. Sometimes we use food as a stress reliever, but the food that we eat may be putting stress on our bodies.
As you go through life, remember these little tips. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you.
Happy Spring!
Mel
