Spring Renewal

Spring is right around the corner and in nature, this is a time of rebirth and growth.

It’s filled with fresh blossoms, bright colors, sweet chirping, and longer days.

There is a sense of shedding layers and welcoming new beginnings,

seen in the tiniest of buds to the beauty of a baby doe.

This year, let’s take inspiration from nature and renew our own lives this spring.

Following are 4 Ways to a Lifestyle Refresh that you can start today:

Find Your Movement

You know you need to exercise, but if walking on the treadmill (or your current choice of movement) isn’t motivating anymore, try something new.

Some ideas include:

• creating a weekly hiking club with a few neighbors, your family, or just yourself with a goal of at least 1-2 hikes per month
• weekly lap swimming or water aerobics 
• weight lifting, HIIT, yoga, or cardio classes on demand 
• kayaking or paddle boarding a local reservoir 
• family bike rides on a paved trail such as the Plum Creek Trail in Castle Rock 
• running the steps at Red Rocks Amphitheater or Rueter-Hess Incline with a goal of the Manitou Incline later in the season

It can take a bit of courage to try a new sport, but don’t be afraid to branch out.  It can even be good for your muscles to switch things up!

Rediscover Your Purpose

Often times when things get busy and stressful, we can live from our heads and not our hearts.  But spring is a wonderful time of year to reconnect with life and our beliefs around it.

For some, this may be specific religious beliefs.  For others, it may be more of a connection to the earth.  Overall, it can be a sense of purpose to life.

If you are looking for inspiration and/or concepts to ponder, check out:

            The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now by Thich Nhat Hanh 

             A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle 

            The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer 

Rediscovering your purpose can also mean readjusting your priorities.  Think about what is most important to you, what nourishes you, and what brings you joy and make space for it in your life.

Connect with Nature 

Naturalist John Muir said, “In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

And no more can this be true than in spring when nature comes out of hibernation.

Surrounding yourself with the natural elements of the earth or simply noticing the world around you can be renewing in itself.

To connect more with the earth, consider:

• growing a garden (flower, herb, vegetable, etc.) 
• eating a meal or enjoying a cup of coffee or tea outside 
• walking in the grass with no shoes on and feeling the ground 
• visiting a farmer’s market and cooking a farm to table meal 
• placing bird houses around your yard 
• going for a scenic drive 
• painting, drawing, or writing about an outdoor landscape 
• visiting a national or state park 
• watching the sunrise or sunset 
• listening to birds chirping 
• potting houseplants

or any other activities that involve nature.

Reconnect With Your Community 

In spring, many animals come out of hibernation – and we can, too.  We may have isolated ourselves not only physically, but socially from our loved ones and community over the past year in which it may be good for us to begin reconnecting soon.

And, this can still be done with social distancing in ways such as:

• calling one friend or family member a week 
• sending silly cards to a group of friends 
• inviting someone to a “bring your own lunch” picnic in the park
• enjoying an outdoor activity (such as hiking or biking) with a friend 
• touring a local garden with someone (such as Hudson Gardens or the Denver Botanic Gardens) 
• volunteering to a help a local organization remotely or donating items to charity 
• delivering flowers, books, or bakery treats to an elderly neighbor

Sometimes, the best way to reconnect is to help put a smile on someone else’s face.  It may even give our purpose a little boost!

If it feels like your life has been put on hold for the past year, this spring can be a wonderful time to rediscover what you now want your life to be.

For mental and physical naturopathic care to help you with this, please call us at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation with Dr. Graves to learn how the CNMA office can provide a wealth of services to support your best self.

The CNMA office offers acupuncture, herbal supplements, holistic counseling, and massage for those in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Parker, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, and the greater Denver metro area.  For those outside of these areas, virtual appointments are available.