Spring is sprung: 3 small strategies for a spring reset
The seasonal shift is often a signal that it’s time to reframe. Alongside noticing the changes outside, perhaps you also do an internal inventory of how you’re feeling.
It’s totally normal for healthy habits to slip through the coldest, darkest months of the year. Less daylight, colder weather and a natural tendency to hibernate a little can all change how we eat, move, sleep and spend our days.
Spring feels like a time of emergence to me. In the same way the earth is warming up and new growth is budding, I feel my own body opening up and warming through. With this comes a readiness to lean into habits that contribute positively to my wellbeing and energy.
So rather than seeing spring as a reason for a complete health overhaul, I see it as an opportunity for a reset.
Here are three small yet mighty strategies to try.
1. Early morning sunlight
Get outside and take in some early morning light.
Morning light has a powerful influence on our body clock. It helps signal that it’s time to be alert and active at the start of the day, while helping to set the rhythm that supports sleep at the other end.
You don't need to make this complicated. Step outside with your morning coffee, take a short walk, or simply spend a few minutes outdoors noticing the light and the changes that spring is bringing.
It's a small habit, but one that can make a meaningful difference to how your day begins.
2. A lunchtime super salad
“Eat the rainbow” is an expression used to encourage us to include a broad range of colourful vegetables, bringing variety as well as a range of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to our meals.
Add a good portion of protein — eggs, chicken, tuna, tofu or legumes — along with some healthy fat such as avocado, nuts or seeds, and you have a colourful, satisfying lunch designed to support sustained energy through the afternoon.
It doesn't have to be an elaborate salad. Think variety, nourishment and something that will actually keep you satisfied.
3. Movement
I've shared before about the All Or Nothing mindset we're vulnerable to — the one that can keep us trapped in cycles of starting and stopping. Exercise habits are a classic example.
So instead of, “I know I should do more exercise, but…”, ask yourself:
How can I bring more movement into my day?
As the days get lighter and warmer, there are more opportunities to make movement part of what you're already doing:
bike to work
get off the bus one stop sooner and walk the remaining distance
choose household chores such as cleaning, maintenance or gardening and appreciate the physical activity they provide
meet a friend for a walk rather than at the pub or café
The best choice for you is one you can sustain.
And this is important: if you're feeling persistently exhausted or unusually fatigued, don't assume you simply need to exercise more, eat better or try harder. There are many reasons for ongoing fatigue, and it's worth talking to your healthcare professional if you're concerned.
For the rest of us, though, a change in season can be a useful prompt to pause and ask:
What small change could I make that might help me feel a little more energised?
Choose one.
Give it a week.
Notice how you feel.
The most effective changes are often the ones with the least friction — the ones you're more likely to sustain.
Spring doesn't need to be a season of reinvention.
Maybe it's simply an invitation to emerge.