There’s something in the air. A spring in your step. Despite all the Covid stress, it’s undeniable that spring brings with it a certain something.
Perhaps you’re feeling motivated to make some changes, or not, and that’s ok too. I read an article the other day about motivation, and how stress and being tired (hello side effects of living through a global pandemic!) can reduce motivation. More on that in another post, but it’s ok to feel unmotivated right now. Be aware of the feeling, find comfort in the fact that there’s a reason why, and be easy on yourself.
With that being said, this isn’t going to be another “feel your best for spring article” that suggests to eat less sugar, take vitamins or stress less. Instead I want to share some things that have simply made me feel better, and brought me joy lately.
Fact: we are going to have to get out of our leggings and baggy sweaters soon, and put on less clothes, and this year we didn’t get much of a heads up. One day it was -10, and then BAM! 20 degrees, and sunny.
Unless you’re blessed with beautiful black, brown or olive skin tones, shedding the winter layers is blinding. Lately I’ve been going back and forth between Eco Tan products (I love their Face Tan Water with hyaluronic acid and their Winter Skin body lotion) and Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops. I’ve been doing this for a couple weeks now, and I think I’m ready to take some layers off...soon.
You can purchase Eco products through Well.ca or if you live in Ottawa, support local business and purchase them through my beautiful friend and neighbour Erin at Westboro Beauty Room.
Continuing with our skin, I’m going to be 39 this year, and I’m doing everything I can to keep my precious collagen. Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in our body, found in our skin, joints, bones, blood vessels and connective tissues.
Starting in our 20s already, collagen begins to break down, we produce less, and over time, our skin loses that lift and plumpness, and fine lines and wrinkles appear.
Want to hear the good news? You can reverse the loss of collagen by taking it in supplement form. I take youtheory tablets, but I’ve also taken it in powder form.
Genuine Health Bovine or Marine collagen powder products are excellent. The most palatable way that I’ve had the powders is in my morning smoothie. I don’t always have a smoothie, which is why I switched to the tablets. Some people put it in their coffee, or make energy balls with it. Whatever works for you!
Drinking 8+ glasses of water per day, wearing sunscreen, eating a nutrient-rich diet full of fresh, whole foods, and keeping your wine consumption under control (ladies, that’s ideally 8-10 drinks per week with no more than 2 drinks per day) also helps to improve the look of our skin, and contributes to better overall health.
With spring comes warmer weather, and more seasonal vegetable options. I love eating with the seasons. I find the fruits and vegetables just taste better instead of when they come from thousands of miles away. Coming up in May and June, take advantage of rhubarb, asparagus, strawberries, beans, radish, green onions, peas and beets. Here's a great article about how to choose and ways to prepare asparagus. Veggies are high in nutrients, fibre, and low in calories making them an amazing choice to include in every meal. Aim to include 4 cups of veggies in your diet every day.
A few other things that have been making me feel good these days: talking to family and friends that build me up, fresh cut tulips, getting outside for bike rides and walks with my kids, the smell of neighbours barbecuing, watching my kids splash around in the hot tub while I soak up the sun, and that first glass of rose of the season (Friday can't come soon enough). Stay safe everyone, and take some time for self-care.
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