Springclean your psyche
READY TO SHAKE OFF WINTER? ABI JACKSON ASKS WELLBEING EXPERTS HOW TO RESET AND RECHARGE FOR THE NEW SEASON
THINGS might be feeling very uncertain right now, but one thing is for sure, spring is officially here. And just as the shift in season brings longer, brighter days and nature prepares to bloom back into life, we can experience a reawakening of sorts too.
There’s lots we can do to help shake off winter and pep ourselves up. We asked some of our favourite holistic wellbeing types for their top tips for getting energised...
1 LOOK FOR BEAUTY
“A GREAT way to change your mindset and be more positive in spring is to look at something beautiful,” says David Brudo, pictured inset, co-founder of personal development and mental wellbeing app Remente (remente. com). It may sound simple, but it’s guaranteed springtime will bring new and beautiful things into your everyday path.
“Cherry blossom, birds singing, fresh cut grass – take time to find something beautiful that brings you joy. Pause and appreciate for a short while – it is almost certain you will feel better after.”
2 TRY A COLD MORNING SHOWER
“MAKE the most of the bright early mornings,” says Stephanie Reynolds, pictured inset, co-founder of new wellness space House of Wisdom (houseof wisdomstudio.com).
“Get into a cold shower – it will wake you up more than a cup of coffee.
“Cold exposure requires willpower, it’s a test of the mind and benefits your body, strengthening your immune system, keeping you focused and tightening your skin.”
3 TWIST AND RESET
“A SIMPLE supine twist always works wonders to reset and feel revived,” says Xenia Gregoriadis, pictured inset, yoga instructor (Instagram: @xenyoga). “As a category of yoga postures, twists are great neutralisers and bring the nervous system into a balanced state.
“Lying on your back, bring your knees in towards your chest and rock gently side to side, then with your arms in a
‘T’ shape, let your knees roll to your right for a few long, slow, deep breaths. Then, engaging your abdominal muscles to support your back, bring your knees back to centre and as you exhale, allow your knees to fall to the left.”
4 HAVE A MINDFUL SPRING CLEAN
“CLEANING has been found to have positive effects on mental wellbeing by helping us gain a sense of control over our environment, whilst being absorbed in the activity can also help calm your mind,” says Sarah Fozzard, pictured inset head of home hygiene at Zoflora (zoflora. co.uk). It also helps improve mood and provides us with a sense of satisfaction.
Studies have found clutter in our homes can have a negative impact, resulting in feelings of tension and uncertainty and over-stimulating the senses – so a good declutter can benefit home and mind!”
5 SWITCH TO A MATCHA BREW
“THE benefits of matcha for energy have been shouted about for ages,” says Holly Huntley, pictured inset, nutritional therapist and herbal specialist at Pukka Herbs (pukkaherbs.com).
“It contains a compound called L-Theanine – a naturally calming agent – that works with the caffeine to provide what’s described as a ‘calm, focused and happy energy’.
“It’s also packed with 10 times the amount of antioxidants as a regular cup of green tea.”
6 MOVE YOUR WORKOUT OUTDOORS
“THE change of season gives us the chance to get back out into some green space,” says Alastair Crew, pictured inset, master trainer at David Lloyd Clubs, which run Battlebox outdoor training zones (davidlloyd. co.uk). “There are lots of benefits to training outdoors: improved mood and increased dopamine and serotonin (our feelgood hormones); you get to reconnect with Mother Nature; being out in green space provides a mental health boost, provides a mental health boost, and once we’re fully into spring you’ll be getting your dose of vitamin D from the sunlight too.”
7 BREAK UP THE DAY WITH YOGA
“AFTER a long winter, it’s important to restore balance back to your mind and body,” says Adam Hjorth, pictured inset, co-founder of HelloYoga, a digital platform providing live one-to-one instructor led yoga (helloyoga.com).
“Yoga is also a great stress-reliever and therefore compliments highintensity training really well too. HIIT or endurance training can raise cortisol levels; yoga can be the perfect antidote by stretching your muscles and taking a breather.”
8 PRACTISE SELF-KINDNESS
“MY top tip for starting spring is to put all the effort you’re putting into hustling (controlling and planning your life) into surrendering to what is,” says
Palma Michel, pictured inset, life coach, executive coach and mindfulness teacher whose meditations are featured on choosemuse.com
“Surrendering to the flow of life initially takes courage, but once you get the hang of it, life becomes nothing short of magical. Spring is also a great time to declutter your mind from thought forms that are no longer serving you and are holding you back.
“Every time you notice the voice in your head criticising you or telling you what you should or have to do, let go of these thoughts and silently say, ‘I am enough’.”
9 BREATHE EASY
“BELLOW breath engages your sympathetic nervous system, helping release natural energy so you’ll feel fully charged as you step into spring,” says Stuart Sandeman, pictured inset, breath coach and founder of
Breathpod (breathpod.me).
“It’s powered from the navel, and the diaphragm is used to pump the navel in and out on each exhale and inhale.
“Sitting up tall, first practise panting like a dog with open mouth to get the rhythm and navel movement. Your chest remains relaxed and slightly lifted. Now close the mouth and continue this rhythm through the nostrils (inhale and exhale should be equal duration).
“Once you have nailed the movement: One – inhale through the nose, engaging the diaphragm, filling from the naval, while lifting your hands above your head. Two – exhale through the nose, engaging the core and pumping the navel in towards the spine, while bringing your elbows to your sides. Three – repeat in and out of the nostrils, pumping navel, lifting the arms up and down.
“Please note this technique is an advanced so proceed with caution. If you feel dizzy, take a break, and avoid if you are menstruating or pregnant.”