Spring Into Health

We become more aware of the pounds we may have piled on watching some great movies on Netflix or keeping tabs on the shenanigans in our favourite soaps over the winter months. We realise that we've gotten a bit too fond of that hot chocolate, which warmed us on the dark, chilly winter days and we decide it's time to sharpen up a little. It's time to support ourselves in becoming more active. Time to change our couch potato habits and replace them with the healthier habits of the longer days.

Information to help

There is much information 'out there'; online, in books, newspapers and magazines on shaping up, being healthier, enjoying life more and thus maybe living longer on this beautiful blue planet. There is information about eating more veggies, cutting down the refined carbs, getting a good seven or eight hours sleep, joining a tai' chi class and even information on not being too hard on ourselves. Nowadays, finding an exercise regime which suits our lifestyle or about finding a few minutes stillness in the day is readily available.

And spring is all about this – awakening to the gift of life and of the world beginning to awaken after the long sleep of winter.

A helping hand

Healthfood store and pharmacy staff are trained to help us with any queries we may have about remedies to support us on the climb back to fitness and health. Some popular remedies at this time of year are the young heads of the stinging nettle known as Urtica; a very popular spring remedy in Ireland, thought to have detoxing/blood purifying properties. This was often hidden by mammies and grannies in cooked cabbage and soup to avoid objections from the younger members of the family.

Urtica can be bought as a tea or a tincture. Golden Rod Tea may also be helpful as an aid to detoxing at this time of year and Milk Thistle Complex with its combination of Milk Thistle, Cynara and Dandelion herbs is a popular Spring combination remedy, with Dandelion having been known as a folk remedy for fluid retention. This could be a nice little support when eliminating the refined carbs and starting to exercise again.

Enjoy the moment

But let's not get too heavy or serious about it all! Let's feel the lightness of the longer evenings, earlier mornings and let's take time to lift our spirits by stopping to listen to the birds before dashing out for the bus or train. Let's enjoy this moment, this day, this spring.