Healthy Ways to Spring Into Action
Winter usually leads to more indoor activities, more movie couch time, and sometimes more slowing down and weight gain. If you feel the need to shed a few pounds and get a lot more activity going there’s no better time than now.
The garden can be a natural target
It’s a fun time to plant and your outdoor areas in yard, patio or flowerbed will love the attention. Recruit you kids and do an overall outside cleanup to get ready for summer barbecues. Plant a few new vegetables too with planter boxes of lettuce or spinach.
Pick a room to paint and go from there
Paint colors always lead to rethinking spaces, adding and subtracting furniture and redoing adjoining areas. But it all counts as exercise too. And once you get started, you will probably want to make some more changes.
Spread out a local map and pin some destinations
Everybody will want to get in on the planned beach, park or museum outings. Try to include lots of walking, biking and even running if it works. The weekends will fill up quickly and generate more events.
Dream up a new outdoor hobby
If you have always wanted to take sailing lessons, do it. Or watercolor or photography classes in a scenic spot could be good. Rock collecting and hiking could also fit.
Start walking, running and take a new class
Maybe you are already doing these. If not spring is a good time to start. You can often find Tai Chi and Yoga classes outdoors, and groups that walk in the park. Pick your targets and get started.
Plan a few short trips that focus on the outdoors
A really scenic camping spot would be a great choice. Or a scenic area that also includes a lot of water sport lessons could work.
Consider adding a new pet
Walking the dog usually gets everybody involved and gets everybody out walking. If your kids are the right age and it works for everyone, a new pet can be a great project.
Find out what’s happening in your community
The whole plan to get out of the house and start moving will probably lead to more ideas that fit you and your neighborhood. Find out what’s going on in your community and see if you can help. Fundraisers can work for the whole family and get everybody out on the weekend.
Whatever ways you choose will inevitably up the health benefits for your whole family.