Springtime. Typically the season for sprucing up and sorting out our homes and wardrobes, spring is the perfect time to check in and take stock. Whilst cleaning out and sprucing up our homes and materialistic possessions can make us feel refreshed and set for the summer months ahead, checking in with our mental and physical health can be just as important. 

Spring is the perfect time to look at your nutritional goals, and after a strong start to the year why not take that even further and really get yourself set for the sunny (hopefully!) summer months. That is why throughout April, May, and June we will be focusing on ways to ‘Spring into Action’. Here are a few ways in which you can spring clean your mental and physical health this season: 

Make sure you are getting enough sleep

Sleep is essential for being able to function throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can have a range of effects that can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. It is recommended that you get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, but of course this is differs for each person. To help you get a full and restful night sleep, avoid distractions in the bedroom such as screens, as the blue light can be disruptive to your sleeping patterns. 

Write down five things you’re grateful for, every morning.

Focus your mind on the things you are grateful for, and write them down. Doing so will put things into perspective, and gratitude will start to become an instinctive reaction. Making this part of your morning routine will give you good head start to a positive day.

Eating a balanced diet

We know you’ve heard it a million times, but eating a healthy, balanced diet can really do wonders for your body and your mental health. Make sure you’re eating plenty of the right foods and limiting things that you know will make you feel bloated, sluggish or unwell. Consume protein, healthy fats and fibre at each meal to keep you fuller for longer, and snack of fruits and veggies between meals. Ensure you’re eating a well-balanced diet which includes 50% fruit or veggies, 25% protein and 25% carbohydrates on each plate, and a roughly 80/20 split of healthy foods and your favourites (because allowing yourself to eat everything in moderation will keep you from going crazy!).

You can also try Forever Lite Ultra, a nutritious protein shake, ideal for breakfast or as a workout snack. This versatile product can be used if you’re watching your calorie intake, or as a filling protein snack if you’re trying to gain weight, as it contains 24g protein per serving. You can even add different fruits or veggies to it to mix up the flavour and consume a full range of nutrients easily.

Exercise

Sometimes it can be hard to find the time to make your fitness plans work around your busy schedule, but exercising not only makes us feel better, it can also be a good way to reduce stress too. Blocking out some time in your daily routine will improve your physical appearance, as well as your mental state too, keeping you more focused for work. To truly optimise your workout efforts, the Forever F.I.T programmes will help you feel cleansed, as well as adding vital nutrients to your diet to ensure your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.

Change Up Your Commuting Habits

Do you need to drive or take public transportation as much as you do? Are there any regular trips you make that could be done on foot instead, or on a bike? If you’re lucky enough to work somewhere you can get to on a bike instead of a car, try pedalling to work a couple of days a week.

Relax and unwind

Making sure that you put down your devices at least an hour before you go to bed will allow you to properly unwind from your day, and help you sleep better. Making sure you carve out some well-deserved ‘me time’ will also help you clear your mind and renew your focus. Journaling can also be a great way to unwind and write down all the thoughts both positive and negative of the day. Taking some time out to write down all of the thoughts that are adding to your mental clutter can help to free up space in your head, and make you feel less overwhelmed.

So those are some useful tips on how to get started on a fitness journey!