As someone who hails from northern Minnesota, where winters can be particularly harsh, I have always loved spring. The moment the first warm, sunny morning arrives, it feels like it’s time to emerge from the dark winter slumber and break out the shorts.
There’s a renewed energy that comes with the seasonal transition, as we move away from the dark, cold days of winter and into the bright, hopeful days of spring. It’s a time for reflection, resetting, and refocusing, which is why many of us feel a sudden urge to embark on some spring cleaning.
This is the perfect time to channel that renewed energy and motivation into positive changes in our lives, starting with prioritizing self-care.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of prioritizing self-care during spring, the season of growth and renewal. I’ve listed out my 15 favorite spring self-care tips and activities to make it easy for you to make personalized changes to your health and habits.
From exercising outside, enjoying seasonal produce, and resetting your bedtime routine to forest bathing, I’ve got you covered. So, whether you’re looking to achieve healthy, radiant skin or connect with your loved ones, keep reading for some effective and practical tips to enhance your self-care this spring.
Benefits of Self-Care in Spring
Spring is a time of transition, and taking care of ourselves is especially crucial during this season. It’s an opportunity to focus on personal growth and well-being for a few key reasons.
As we emerge from the dark, cold winter months, we often find ourselves with more natural energy. Additionally, with more sunlight and better weather, we are more motivated to set goals and plan for the future. It’s a chance to be proactive and embrace the season of renewal and growth.
As we shift into this new season, it’s important to be intentional about how we spend our time and energy. If you’re committed to prioritizing self-care, start with realistic and relevant changes.
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There are endless possibilities when it comes to reprioritizing ourselves in the spring. And to give you some ideas, here are a few of my favorite seasonal self-care activities, categorized by different types of self-care. To know where to start and how to make effective, personalized changes, be sure to read about The Self-Care Wheel.
Physical Self-Care Ideas for Spring
This is where we have a chance to prioritize our body’s health and well-being, as well as the physical environment around us. It’s the foundation of nutrition, movement, and sleep, as well as other actions that improve physical health.
Exercise Outside
Enjoy the weather when you can! Schedule time for some cardio like walking, jogging, biking, or my personal favorite, rollerblading. Not into cardio? Try playing a sport outside, chasing your kids around the park, or signing up for an outdoor yoga class.
Not only does exercising outside give you the heart-healthy and mood-boosting benefits of physical activity, but it’s also a way to get more vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced by the body when your skin is exposed to sunlight, so levels tend to drop over the winter months.
Eat Seasonal Produce
There are many delicious and nutritious foods that are in season in the spring! Try adding a variety of these nutrient-dense produce options to your meals and snacks.
Spring Produce:
- Strawberries, rhubarb, apricots, cherries, kiwi, pineapple
- Asparagus, peas, radishes, spinach, arugula, carrots
Need inspiration? Some recipes I keep on repeat during the spring are Arugula Pesto Pizza, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp, and Lemon Asparagus Risotto.
Reset Your Bedtime Routine
Depending on your location, spring often brings changes in daylight and temperature that can negatively affect sleep, especially during the week when daylight saving time starts. Adjusting and prioritizing a wind-down routine can help you adapt to the changes and get quality rest.
Rather than focusing on an early bedtime, think about creating calming and relaxing routines that feel good at the end of the busy day. How can you end the day on a peaceful, recharged note? If you’ve been worn out lately, an evening routine can make a huge difference.
What can you add or swap around before going to bed? How can you make it easier to get to bed at a consistent time that allows for 7-9 hours of sleep?
Try things like reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing a relaxation technique rather than watching another episode or scrolling on your phone.
Skincare Refresh
Spring brings with it not only changes in daylight and temperature but also changes in humidity and air quality, which can impact our skin, particularly on our faces. Personally, I always notice a shift in my skin when the weather changes.
If you’re looking to achieve healthy, radiant skin after the harsh winter months, dermatologists suggest exfoliating to remove dull winter skin, switching to a lighter moisturizer, and applying sunscreen daily.
Don’t forget to take some time to go through your skincare products and toss any that have expired. These small but important steps add up to revitalizing and renewing your skin this spring.
Social Self-Care Ideas for Spring
Activities and events tend to pick up this time of the year. While a busier schedule can be a source of stress and more to juggle, it can also be a refreshing chance to catch up and connect with people we care about, supporting our social health and well-being.
Plan a Picnic
Get outside and spend time with some of your favorite people! Take advantage of a weekend afternoon or a free evening to pack up some snacks and drinks to catch up. Plus, being in nature can be relaxing and rejuvenating for everyone who joins.
Consider exploring a new park or bringing a yard game to make it a fun and active event. Spending time outside together is a great way to build connections, nourish relationships, and be part of a community.
Go on a Coffee Date
As the weather gets warmer, it’s a great time to schedule a coffee date with a friend or loved one. Meeting up with someone for a coffee can be a perfect chance to laugh, connect, and strengthen your bonds.
Plus, it’s nice to get out of the house and enjoy the spring weather together. Try picking a cozy outdoor café or local shop for a change of scenery. If you don’t drink coffee or consume caffeine, iced herbal teas, and frappe-style drinks are fun choices!
Emotional Self-Care Ideas for Spring
It’s important to take care of our emotional health during this season of renewal and growth. While we may feel a sense of optimism and motivation to make positive changes in our lives, making changes can also be stressful and overwhelming.
Practicing emotional self-care can help us manage stress and promote a sense of calm and balance. Taking time for ourselves during the spring can allow us to fully embrace the season’s transformative energy to feel refreshed.
Take up a Hobby
If there’s an activity that brings you joy and helps you to unwind, set aside time for that. Here’s a list of over 50 stress-relieving hobbies for inspiration if you’re not quite sure where to start.
In the spring, some fun creative activities could be trying a new recipe (especially with some seasonal produce), starting an art project, or gardening (more on this in a second). If there’s a project you’ve been meaning to work on, this is your cue to get back on it.
If a movement-based hobby is more your style, look for a spring sports league or train for a fun run/walk. Or, if spending more time relaxing and recharging is what you’re looking for, try incorporating more yoga and mindfulness into your week.
Plant a Garden
Did you know that just being surrounded by plants improves mental health? There’s something about the greenery that reduces stress and calms our minds. Plus, the physical action of planting, tending, and caring for plants provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
If you have the space or yard for a garden, planting some flowers or vegetables is a great way to be outside and enjoy the fruits of your labor in a few weeks and months. If you’re like me and are limited to houseplants, try a window garden or refresh the dying plants in your space.
Intellectual Self-Care Activities for Spring
Practicing intellectual self-care is taking care of your mind and embracing personal growth and development. The new season can be a good excuse to refresh your thoughts and goals, and explore new ideas.
Read a New Book
We all have that book sitting on the bookshelf that we’ve been meaning to get to or those ebooks waiting to be read. Not only is reading a way to relax and reduce stress, but it’s a great way to stimulate your mind.
Whether you’d like to dive into something to learn more about a topic or get lost in a great story, reading is a wonderful self-care hobby. Need a recommendation? One of my favorites lately has been Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.
Sign up for (or finish) an Online Course
Starting a class can be a great way to learn something new, explore an interesting subject, and connect with like-minded people. Maybe there’s a graduate program you’ve been looking at, a masterclass that you’ve been intrigued by, or a professional development opportunity for work.
Personally, I struggle with signing up for too many courses that often go wasted, so I’m working on finishing what I’ve started this spring! There are endless options for learning online to grow and thrive both personally and professionally.
Occupational Self-Care Ideas for Spring
Spring can be a tough time at work, with deadlines and extra meetings piling up. But don’t forget to take care of yourself while you’re on the clock.
That could mean focusing on your professional development, finding ways to make your job more enjoyable, or striving for a better balance between work and play. By investing in yourself and your job satisfaction, you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever challenges come your way this spring.
Take Breaks Outside
Stepping away from your computer or office provides an often-needed mental and physical break from work to recharge for a few minutes. If your schedule offers the flexibility to get out and move throughout the day, take advantage of that!
Even better if you can get a colleague to join you and hold you accountable for getting your steps in. Any extra movement is worth it, even if it’s a few minutes at a time! I’ve especially loved the walking pad trend lately, though if you can get outside, the natural light is an extra benefit.
Reevaluate Your Goals
If your work feels stale or like a challenge lately, take some time to reflect on why that is. Some questions you can ask yourself:
- Am I happy and fulfilled in my current job or career?
- Am I managing my workload and maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
- Am I learning and growing professionally?
With some extra insight into your well-being at work, you can identify areas for improvement or change. Set specific goals to work on for a boost of motivation until summer. Then, you can continue reevaluating with each change in season.
Plan a Trip
Full disclosure, this one is my favorite. Taking breaks from work allows us to recharge, rest, and return with new energy and motivation. If you have vacation days that are sitting unused, make a plan to use them.
If it’s not possible to take a break from work, plan out a few weekend outings to have something to look forward to. There are always places around us that we mean to check out, yet consistently put off. Go explore somewhere in the name of self-care!
Spiritual Self-Care Ideas for Spring
It’s hard not to consider our spiritual well-being in the spring. Observing the natural changes around inspire us to connect with something greater than ourselves. This can be nurtured for inner peace by prioritizing spiritual self-care.
Meditate in the Morning
Kickstart your mornings with a calm and centered mindset. Set aside a quiet space to meditate or find a peaceful spot outdoors to clear your mind and focus on your intentions for the day ahead.
If you find it challenging to slow down and unwind, even taking a few deep breaths before diving into your daily routine can help. Experiment with different mindfulness practices by signing up for a meditation app, reading a book on mindfulness, or listening to a guided meditation online.
By making mindfulness a part of your daily routine, you’ll be better equipped to handle the stress and changes that come with the new season.
Try Forest Bathing
While this is something I’ve never personally tried and can’t vouch for, I absolutely love the idea of forest bathing. Plus, there’s some fascinating research that being in nature is good for all aspects of our health.
If you want a pretty immediate stress reduction, slowly walk through a forest and mindfully engage your senses. This practice benefits mental health, boosts the immune system, supports heart health, and boosts overall well-being.
Conclusion
As spring arrives, we are presented with the opportunity to embrace the season of renewal and growth. It’s a wonderful time for reflection, resetting, and refocusing, and there is a renewed energy that comes with this seasonal transition.
Prioritizing self-care is especially crucial during this season, and there are endless possibilities for reprioritizing ourselves.
From physical self-care ideas such as exercising outside and enjoying seasonal produce to social self-care ideas like planning a picnic, these small but important steps can really add up to revitalizing and renewing ourselves this spring.
By being intentional about how we spend our time and energy, we can make effective and personalized changes that support our personal growth and well-being.
