The Hills Health Ranch
“As the earth renews itself, take time to renew yourself”
As the earth slowly sheds its winter mantle and begins the annual process of renewing itself, so must we as well. More so than hasty promises made on New Year’s Eve (while we are still gorging ourselves on turkey drowning in greasy gravy, plum pudding, too much wine and staying up way past our bedtime), spring is a time to refocus, renew, and recommit ourselves to ourselves. As the days grow longer and the signs of new life timelessly reappear, this is an empowering time of year to reconnect with our most valuable commodity - our health.
We need not jump on a treadmill and pound our way back to a fitter self, or sweat and grind away at the weight machine. The road to all-round better health can be as easy as starting a small vegetable plot in our backyard, or starting a few tomatoes or pots of herbs on our patio. Gardening is a great soul-soother, easing away stress, giving us mental time to work out problems in our minds or even just letting our minds go blank. It also provides low-impact exercise and, later on, the fruits (or vegetables!) of our labours - beautiful organic produce. Plucking a sun-warmed tomato and eating it on the spot can almost be a sensual experience.
Contrary to what you may think, spring is an excellent time to feed the outdoor birds. In their own cycles of renewal, their energy expenditure levels dramatically increase, and they appreciate the extra treats. As they fill the air with their song and dance, later they will return with their families to consume the insects in your garden.
Spring is also the perfect time to experience a spa vacation and learn about improving your health. Look for packages with a variety of activities, and ask for specifics. For example - “Full daily schedule of exercise classes” - how full? how long? low impact? instructor lead? While at the spa, discover the exercises you enjoy (and hate!) and which ones work for you. Not everyone can or wants to be an extreme mountain biker, and that’s okay. Trimming off a few pounds, learning to make better eating choices and handle stress more effectively all will make you feel better about yourself. And feeling better about yourself is a major step to improved wellness.
When booking a spa vacation, also ask about ‘down time.’ Are you ready for a day packed full of exercise classes, workshops, and seminars from dawn to dusk, or are you looking for something that offers some unscheduled time to reflect and refocus on your life? Are you a gregarious sort, leaping into every group activity going, or do you function better in small groups and private consultations? Is there time to try different activities not necessarily part of your package, such as evening nature walks, horseback riding, or a chance to explore the nearest city? It is critical to ensure your spa vacation is about you - what works for you while you’re there, and what you can take home with you to improve and maintain your total wellness.
If you have specific goals to reach during your spa vacation, make sure they are realistic and achievable in the time you are there. Remember, while it is the genuine desire of all spa staff to help you achieve your goals, only you can actually do it and keep doing it after you leave.
So get caught up in the rejuvenating spirit of spring time - your heart and soul will thank you for it.
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