Spring is seen as the season of rebirth, new life and, of course, spring break. With flowers blooming and the weather warming up, it’s a great time to start fresh. If you haven’t been keeping up with your New Year’s resolutions, it might also be the right time to refocus. If you’re looking for a change this season, try one or more of the following tips to make you feel more productive!
1. Make your bed every morning
To start the season out simple, make your bed as soon as you get up in the morning. It takes just a few extra seconds, and it can be the first task you accomplish each day. Not to mention, after class when you walk into a cleaner room, you’ll be grateful and less overwhelmed. Making a bed with hospital corners is super easy once you get the hang of it, and will leave your bed looking perfect. What’s more enticing and comfortable at the end of a long day than a cozy and neat bed?
2. Drink a glass of warm water every morning
Image courtesy of Shape
Warm water with lemon, to be specific. This habit sets you off on the right path each morning with a simple glass. Warm lemon water helps boost your metabolism, provides a natural energy surge and helps to clear up breakouts. Need more reasons? There’s an entire list I stumbled upon while doing a bit of investigating that had me convinced.
3. Tidy your room regularly
Cleaning your room regularly doesn’t have to be a full-on spring cleaning each time, unless that’s your thing. Keeping a habit of tidying regularly keeps your room from becoming overwhelmingly messy. It could be weekly or even daily. Taking five minutes to fold your laundry, wash the dishes in the sink, or put away all your post-its and scrap paper is one less thing you have to worry about later on. It also means that when you do have free time, you can spend it how you really want to, instead of having to clean up multiple days’ worth of clutter.
4. Try writing when stressed
Some people bake, some people exercise and some people have no release for their stress. To ease stress, I recommend forming the habit of writing when you’re under pressure. Emotions and feelings can build up in the blink of an eye, and if you’re feeling totally overwhelmed, sitting down and writing can be a huge relief. Seeing your thoughts down on paper takes the pressure off you and allows you to see the situation more clearly.
5. Set aside five minutes each day for meditation
Meditation has become wildly popular recently. I feel like every article I read has some mention of meditation in it, but there’s a reason for that. Meditation really does help improve your life. Setting aside as little as five minutes can help boost your mental health in a great way. You don’t have to sit cross legged on your floor to meditate; just listening to a soft piece of music and really concentrating on the notes can be a form of meditation. If you’re having a terrible day (and don’t mind a ton of swearing!), I’d recommend Jason’s Headley F**k That video on YouTube.
6. Walk or run Kelly Drive
A weekly walk on Sundays can help you recharge for the rest of the week, and Kelly Drive is a beautiful spot to do just that. Beginning at the art museum, the riverside trail winds for 8.45 miles. Along the way you can see statues, monuments and beautiful views of the Schuylkill River that will remind you why you chose Philly as your home. Even if you choose not to travel its entire distance, ten or 15 minutes out in the fresh air can do wonders for your mood.
Image courtesy of VisitPhilly
7. Start a Q-and-A journal
This journal has a new question every day, and enough space for an answer a day for five years. The topics range from personal growth, future dreams and even what your last meal was. I’ve had mine for two years so far, and it’s interesting to see how my answers have changed. I’d recommend it for anyone who wants to start a journaling habit, but who finds the usual method too time consuming.
These are just a few simple and easy habits to get into this spring. Most of which take less than ten minutes each. Try one a day to get started or set goals to implement one habit per week. Before you know it, you’ll be making these tips a part of your daily routine.