How to Stay in Shape This Spring!
By Valentina Omotosho .O. ('23)
It’s that time of the year again, with blossoming flowers, sunny days, rainy days and sunshine, spring is upon us! It's the time not only for spring cleaning of the homes but of the mind and body. As school comes to a close with Regents and final exams, people graduate, advance and move up a class. It could all be tiring at times, but with great effort we could all make great accomplishments. To ease the stress there are many ways to find solace and comfort during these times especially since spring is the season of hope. The season of new beginnings to explore oneself and grow as an individual. As we all know by now, there are numerous ways to stay in shape physically. People have many ideals of staying in shape, the majority however believe it's being fit physically, going to the gym and staying active at all times. Although I agree with some aspects of those ideals, to stay in shape is not just physical but mental as well. Focusing on the mental aspect of our lives during this spring, I compiled a list of ways to stay in shape mentally.
Photo Credit of Colombia Spectator
The mind is a great asset which is why it is necessary to take care of our mental health first before venturing out to be physically fit. Moreover, being physically fit also includes a healthy mindset as staying in shape means different things for people. To some staying in shape means being fit by staying active such as going to the gym, playing a sport, engaging in activities such as hiking, running but to others it means working on one’s inner mindset in order to grow by meditating, journaling and having self-reflection moments. Although these are different views on staying in shape, one could be both, as for the ideal of staying in shape physically to be successful, a healthy and fit mindset is necessary. A list of ways to stay in shape mentally is compiled below!
STAYING IN SHAPE MENTALLY:
➺Meditate: Take some moments out of your day to reflect on what goes on not only around you but within you.
➺Journal: Writing is a means of expression, take some time to write about anything that brings you peace; your goals, aspiration, how the day went, things you are thankful for and so on.
➺Read: Pay a visit to the library, there are numerous books there that pertain to everyone, if you like fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, romance and so on, you would be sure to find a book that speaks to you. My favorite are most definitely graphic novels!
➺Reflect: After each day, give some time to having thoughtful moments with yourself, how did your day go, what are some thing you are thankful for that happened in your day, what are some mini accomplishments that occurred, how could you improve the next day.
➺Explore your interests: What makes you happy, what gives you the motivation to be better, your passion, is it dancing, singing, cooking, drawing, helping others. Whatever it is, try to include it in your day to day activities.
The utmost advice I could give for staying in shape this spring however is to give yourself a break, you have accomplished more than you think, in life one would make mistakes, have times of failure and so on but remembering that there are so many things to be grateful for, gives one the potential to look within and see that they are truly capable of accomplishing their goals. Keep going, I believe in you and HAPPY SPRING!!
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Cover photo courtesy of The Downey Patriots
Photo Credit of Bunow