It’s finally that time of year again: The first rays of sunshine are drawing people out onto the streets, ice cream shops are opening their doors, and the parks are filling up with cheerful sunbathers. Nevertheless, some people suffer from what’s known as “spring fatigue,” because the winter was long and dark, making it hard for many to get back into shape. The two magic words to counteract this are wellness and exercise. You’ve probably heard it often enough, but getting enough exercise keeps you fit and makes even those suffering from spring fatigue feel great all around. You should exercise about three times a week, because physical activity releases feel-good hormones that only enhance the uplifting effect of the sun’s rays. A bike ride after work or a short walk during your lunch break can usually work wonders.
Proper Nutrition
There’s hardly a better time of year than spring to thoroughly optimize your diet once again. Fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables are now widely available again and invite you to indulge. Vegetables should definitely make up the bulk of your meals or, at the very least, be served regularly as a side dish. Fresh herbs and spices in your dishes stimulate the taste buds and should always be on hand when cooking. Vegetables also make an excellent snack, perhaps as an alternative to chocolate or other sweets. When it comes to carbohydrates, opt for whole-grain products—they’re an important source of energy, filling, and very healthy. Fats are generally not harmful to the body—quite the opposite. Healthy fatty acids even enrich the body with minerals and vitamins, as long as they are unsaturated. Saturated fatty acids, on the other hand, raise cholesterol levels and tend to accumulate as unwanted fat reserves in the abdominal area.
All Senses on High Alert
Spring is a time to enjoy—and we should do just that to the fullest. It’s not just the sun we should soak up as often as possible; fragrant flowers, the sight of blossoming trees, and the taste of fresh fruit all play their part in putting us in a great mood. We just need to take the time every now and then to savor these experiences.
