Spring Rejuvenation

A stirring of energy occurs in both the mind and body as the long nights and colder temperatures of winter begin to shift. The days become significantly longer after the spring equinox, March 20-21, and with this light comes the call to rise earlier and engage in more physical activities.

Spring is the season of renewing the body’s vitality by using spring greens and pungent and bitter herbs like sacred basil, dandelion root and leaves, burdock root and milk thistle seeds. Engaging in more outdoor exercise and clearing clutter from our homes, closets, cars and internal affairs allows us to move into springtime with more ease. Taking some time to envision what we want for the year ahead is a beneficial activity to do in early spring.

 

Creating a daily routine (may vary slightly in each season) is an important health-promoting practice that supports physical, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being. Realigning ourselves with nature’s cycles and rhythms enhances our feeling of being connected with all of life, enhances our vitality, improves our ability to be discerning-to make choices that support inner peace and harmony, and strengthens the mind and heart’s ability to develop mindfulness and compassion. A daily meditation and prayer practice, ideally done upon rising and before bed, will, over time, deepen our inner capacity to be open-hearted, relaxed, less reactive, and more fully present with whatever is happening around us and within us.   

The following daily practices help restore balance and renew energy:

• Get up and go to bed at the same time-up before 6am and to bed before 10pm. Many people get a “second wind” after 10 pm and then a deeply, restful sleep is less possible. If you are able, begin preparing for bed by 8:30-9pm. Turn off and unplug from electrical devices at least 1-2 hours before bed.
• Sit quietly, even if for only 5 minutes, to reflect upon your day, both in the morning and evening. If you are new to meditation, over time your quiet sitting practice may naturally increase.
• Eat at the same time. Eat a lighter meal at night so the body can restore itself during sleep instead of working hard to digest a large dinner meal.
• Exercise in some regular way.
• Drink plenty (1-2 quarts) of room temperature or warm water.
• Spend at least 20 minutes outside in nature.
• Garden, or visit gardens, farms, arboretums, mountains, regularly.
• Enjoy gazing at the sky, sunrise, sunset, trees, birds and butterflies.

Learn more about Spring herbs in my book - 

How To Move Like A Gardener: Planting and Preparing Medicine From Plants

 

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