Spring is a time for renewal and new possibilities. It’s a perfect time to think about boosting your physical, mental and emotional wellness as you transition into a new season. Getting outside, making healthier food choices, conducting a little spring cleaning in your home and clearing your mental clutter are all good ways to embrace wellness as the seasons change.

Get Outdoors

The days are getting longer and warmer, so now is the time to get outside and enjoy those sunny days. Whether you walk around your neighborhood, walk to the park with your grandkids, or enjoy a visit to a nature preserve or botanical garden with your friends, you will reap physical and mental benefits from being outdoors.

Walk Your Way to Wellness

Walking is a simple, free form of exercise that has major benefits, such as improving heart health, lowering blood pressure, increasing metabolism to help you maintain a healthy weight, improving sleep and cognitive functioning, and alleviating joint pain. You don’t have to walk 10,000 steps a day to enjoy the benefits—older adults can reap the benefits with just 4,400 steps a day.

The Power of Vitamin D

Soaking up Vitamin D from the sun can boost your immune system and mood and improve cognitive functioning and bone health. You only need about 10 minutes of sun exposure per day to reap the benefits, so make sure you are using sun protection if you are outside for longer periods.

Nature is the Best Prescription for Stress Reduction

Getting outside and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature reduces stress, which in turn can lower blood pressure and lower your risk for heart disease. If you walk with friends, those positive social interactions can trigger the release of endorphins, which can further reduce your stress levels and boost your emotional well-being.

Refresh Your Diet

As the seasons change, you may want to shake up your diet, moving away from the heavier foods you enjoyed in winter and focusing more on seasonal produce and lighter meals. Fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, lean meats and fish are great healthy options to fuel your body and mind. You may even want to plant your own garden so you have easy access to nutrient-rich foods. Drinking more water is important, too, as the weather warms, and you become more active.

Spring Clean Your Mind and Home

Clutter in your home not only looks messy, it can actually cause your body to produce the stress hormone cortisol. Being surrounded by clutter reduces your productivity, makes you feel overwhelmed and invokes negative feelings. Decluttering your home can lift a weight off your shoulders and help you feel more focused and refreshed.

Similarly, mental clutter and information overload can cause feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. Unplugging from your devices occasionally can improve your state of mind, and creating a “To Do” list helps you to download the checklist from your brain. Keeping a journal allows you to get your thoughts and feelings onto paper so you can process your emotions, and activities like meditation and yoga can help you slow down and become more mindful.

Touchstone Communities Make Wellness a Priority

At Touchstone Communities, the health and well-being of our residents is a top priority. We offer skilled nursing and short-term care, long-term care, post-hospital care, respite services, memory support and rehabilitation therapy for seniors. Our expert team of caregivers is skilled in helping our patients and residents live healthy, fulfilling lives. Contact Touchstone Communities for more information.