As the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, spring offers the perfect opportunity to reset your health and embrace new wellness goals. Whether you’re looking to refresh your diet, improve your fitness routine, combat stress or manage seasonal allergies, your primary care team can help you make the most of the season.
Winter can make it easy to slip into sedentary habits, comfort foods and a sluggish routine. Spring is an excellent time to refresh your health goals and establish new habits. Here are a few simple ways to reset for the new season ahead.
Spring Nutrition
Spring brings the opportunity to add more fresh produce into your diet. You can add more fiber to your meals through:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Whole grains
- Beans and legumes
- Nuts and seeds
Spring Into Fitness
With more sunshine and warmer temperatures, you may feel a boost of motivation to get moving. While the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days per week, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist clinicians recommend a more doable approach to her patients who are building a new fitness routine.
Tips for building a safe fitness routine:
- Start slow: Begin with walking, cycling or light jogging before progressing to more intense workouts.
- Protect against injuries: Stretch, wear supportive shoes and stay hydrated.
- Know when to see a doctor: If pain persists or worsens, seek medical advice to prevent long-term damage.
By taking proactive steps, you can embrace spring feeling strong, energized and ready to enjoy the season.
Boost Your Mental Health
Experiment with different stress management strategies to see what works best for you. Some ideas include:
- Spending time in nature
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Breathwork
- Talking to a counselor or trusted friend
- Exercising regularly
- Getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night
Allergy Season Survival Guide
Finally, we can’t talk about springtime without addressing seasonal allergies, which can put a damper on your health and fitness goals.
To minimize allergy flare-ups:
- Limit outdoor exposure on high-pollen days (check daily pollen counts).
- Shower and change clothes after being outside to remove pollen.
- Use over-the-counter antihistamines or nasal sprays as recommended.
If symptoms persist or impact your daily life, a primary care visit can help determine if prescription medication or allergy testing is necessary.
Give yourself grace along your health journey.
Learn more about virtual primary care with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.