How’s it going, Health Warriors? We all need something light, and this column will be it. Can we count the snowy days we have left this season? Yeah, we can. The bulk is over, and in this ideal time of year we have ahead of us so many, many days of light and sunshine.
Blessings and bounty– all the blessings of change and all the promises of seasonal renewal are here for us, with love from Old Mamma Earth.
#1- Amazing Before Your Eyes: Gardens from Seed.
April is your moment to watch things change and grow before your eyes. The progress is amazing and there’s nothing like 1, 2 or more baby plants to focus and shape your spring. I’d say, try three pants from seed if you’re a rookie, so your odds of success increase. But when you see your own tiny herbs and veggies grow? It’s hope in a yogurt container (chipped mug, jam jar, whatever container you wish). Before the snow’s done, we can hold in our hands spring goodness indoors. For so many reasons, not the least of which is your health, Health Warriors– growing organic, inexpensive plants inside feeds the soul, and maybe eventually the tummy. Recyclable containers are a free option + soil from the hardware store + 2-3 heirloom seed varieties online from here or maybe here. Tomatoes take about 74 days on average to grow from seed- and everything you might want to know about growing tomatoes here, so imagine the bounty you can have by late July if you get things started. You might just begin a positive change in yourself by beginning a few plants from seed – and early April’s the time (but weeks later is good, too).
#2 - Add More Love.
Keeping with health, add more love for yourself this spring, in whatever ways you can sneak it in. Find out where farm- fresh eggs are available and begin a new weekly habit. The nutrient profile of an egg from a pasture- raised hen is formidable[1] – get all the deets here cuz I’m keeping this light for spring, but it’s about antioxidants, brain and heart health, vitamins, and a dose of protein. Don’t ever short yourself on nutrients for mind, body and self. Add sweetness with the syrup of the season: it’s that magic sap harvesting season, and adding the year’s new maple syrup to your daily Dodjivi Premium Mushroom Coffee means even more antioxidants[2] [3] and minerals to support your wellness journey. Pick up at least one bunch of cut tulips- and watch their stems actually grow taller all week in the water. Or buy a bunch every week in April, when grocery stores are popping with them, plus hyacinths, crocuses, and other once- in- a- year beauties. Self- love and self- care through healthy habits are crucial ways to add love and happiness to the season of renewal. If working on self- love is tricky, small adjustments in habits or time spent might be all you can handle, but build on these, whenever you can.
[1] NCBI/NLM/ Pasture- Raised Eggs
#3 Get Cool In Bed.
Yass- a fantastic orgasm can wallop you into a great sleep[1] -with a partner or solo, so, giddyap, and get one when you can. Spring is mating season in nature, and we tend to mimic that as humans, so here’s hoping for many satisfying romps. And here’s hoping you sleep like a happy baby. But the second cool thing about bed is the room itself. When you open a window to let in cool air as you sleep (or lower the thermostat to 18C if it’s too cold some nights), you help improve melatonin production, decrease cortisol production, decrease stress hormones, and increase the length of the most restorative sleep stages- REM and Slow-Wave Deep Sleep (check out cold-room benefits here). So, go for the big O, but also, open that window, let in the cool, let pillows and blankets get a spring refresh- the breeze is coming in, and so is your healthy sleep.
#4- Burn Up What Holds You Back.
It’s a time of renewal, and some lovely things and life moments we’ve had will and should be forever with us. But this one’s about the other stuff – because Spring says, in her bossy voice, ‘Ditch it and move on’. Yes, literally. Your childhood and teen diaries, those angst-filled journals from last year or last decade. Aspirational outfits that don’t fit you, or don’t fit the ‘you’ that you are, and they hang there with the tags on. So much stuff holds us back when we need to make room for lighter days and new experiences- for new life. I have a friend who moved, and she burned her old diaries and letters in the backyard before leaving- very therapeutic, saying goodbye, lightening her load. Starting off all new. Poshmark or Marketplace your vintage faves, and your gently and never- worn outfits, because a nice incentive to doing a closet edit is making a few bucks. The more you want to get rid of stuff, the lower you’ll go in price: remember that. And you can list more items the next day. Once the Marketplace ball gets rolling, who knows where you’ll stop?
#5 - Green is Spring.
What about well-loved but sorry looking shoes, sweaters, t-shirts? Bleach- stained towels, yellowing pillowcases? All of these, from ratty shoes, to broken backpacks, even soccer cleats, can be recycled in Canada. You didn’t know? Look into your local textile recycling programs, because not everything you donate needs to be in fine shape. Most worn-out textiles (items made of, or containing cloth) can be locally sorted and then recycled – the details might differ where you live, but home pickup or bin drop off is offered for these worn -out items. Take a load off- get rid of the old stuff. it’s greener than throwing it in the trash. Green is spring!
#6 - Improve Your Moves.
The great thing about April is, it’s not all great weather. There are rainy days, there are cold days. So you don’t quite yet have to go public, all bare skinned and polished. We’ve got the time to finesse the body before the glorious ‘open’ season of summer. How’s your movement these days? Time to step it up, maybe? Because, yup, April says you can get a leg up on fitness, all covered up, building your muscles, strength and lean lines before the bare skin of summer is peeping out. I go old school with a calendar, jotting down movement each day I can: workouts and walks, all month. Very motivating to log all of it- feels great, seeing it. Gym workouts are highlighted blue, walks are in yellow – motivating me to do something each day for a colour-filled page.
#7 - Frame the Mind.
Are you making time for mindfulness? Lately, I am not. Just saying it here, I will pledge to go back to my fave free mindfulness app. You might find one to try here. I know I need it to simplify, focus and de-stress. Mindfulness practice is ‘intentionally regulating your attention, with an attitude of non-judgment, openness, curiosity, and acceptance of [your] current experience’[1], and when we move into that state often enough, we access many varied healing outcomes. With many ways to work on mindfulness – from mindful eating, to breathing your way to deep sleep, to plant and nature therapy (it’s a thing)[2][3], we gain a fundamental tool to improve our wellness, diminish anxieties and fears, even rise to the challenge of new experiences and adventures we used to worry over. Being in the present means the mind attends to what’s in front of you, helping reduce the power of our fear of the future, and our focus on the past. Mindfulness as a tool unlocks a route to improved health outcomes- it’s free, doesn’t take up time, and is available to everyone. It’s worth a try to frame your mind for what you want in life.
#8 - Spring for Some Fun.
Yes, you, yes, now. Spring is saying, in her hopeful voice, Come out of hibernation and get social again! The world is renewing and you don’t wanna miss it. Have your best friend over for a mushroom coffee drink- for relaxation, how about Dodjivi Premium Ganoderma (Reishi) Coffee? For a chat filled with energy and focus, try Dodjivi 4 Protection Immunity Blend with Chaga & Lion’s Mane Mushroom Coffee. Elevate your visit, and your vitality, with a daily dose of mushroom coffee benefits. Head to dinner with friends, or ask someone new and nice (new friend, new love interest- either way? might be great). Head to a club for a Salsa & Drinks night – Canada’s National Newspaper recently reported on the emerging Salsa scene (read here: Globe and Mail: Salsa Night), and Dodjivi’s Feb 2024 blog has oh- so-many health and wellness reasons to dance ( yeah, review them). And now that you’re up moving, shed some seriousness, get out there and make a true scene. At a minimum, you’ll make new memories and at most, you’ll find new passions – both people and life goals, both activities and loves. It’s all right there- go get it and make it yours.
Martha
Martha Kenney Burbank, R.H.N
Holistic Nutritionist + Health Coach at KenneyBee Holistic Health
