Nature's Wake-Up Call to Vibrant Living!

In May, we say goodbye to the rainy days of April and hello to colorful flowers. The world around us suddenly bursts into life with bright colors and sweet-smelling flowers. It's like nature is waking up from a long nap, all refreshed and ready to go!

Have you noticed that in May, everything feels more alive? The days get longer, the sun shines brighter, and we feel more energetic. It's like waking up from a sleepy winter and feeling super excited about everything around us!

During winter, we like to stay cozy indoors. But when May arrives, we just want to get outside and have fun! We feel a strong urge to move our bodies and enjoy the sunshine. Whether working in the garden or hiking in the park, being outside makes us feel happy and healthy. A 2004 University of Michigan study found that people who spent at least 30 minutes outside in pleasant weather, either by taking a trip to warmer climates in the winter months or taking advantage of a newly warm spring day in the park, had happier moods. In corroborating research, a 2014 UM study found that being outside could lead to a better mindset and reduced stress. 

May also brings us lots of delicious, fresh fruits and vegetables. The sugar-craving, high-fat, and comforting foods we often crave in the colder months, as comforting as they are, are the least likely to benefit our mental health. Over the years, a growing body of research has provided intriguing hints about how foods may affect our moods. A healthy diet promotes a healthy gut, which communicates with the brain through what is known as the gut-brain axis. This doesn’t mean that eating a salad is going to cure depression. But there’s a lot you can do to lift your mood and improve your mental health, and it can be as simple as increasing your intake of plants and healthy foods. These yummy foods not only taste good but also help keep us strong and healthy. Eating them also makes us feel connected to nature's cycle of growth and change.

Spring is a great time to consider how we can care for ourselves. It brings us more balance, light, and growth. The balance of day and night becoming as close to equal in time as possible encourages us to reestablish our balance in life. Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness help us feel calm and centered, like giving our minds and bodies a big hug!

Mother Nature shows us how amazing change can be. Sometimes, change can feel scary or uncertain, like when we start a new phase in our lives or move to a new place. But just like how nature shows us that change can be beautiful and exciting, it also teaches us that change can bring growth and new opportunities.

Let's embrace the energy and excitement of May and see where it takes us!