5 Ways to Spring into Health
It’s springtime, a time of restoration and rejuvenation. With flowers beginning to bloom and warmer weather on the horizon, spring is the perfect time to freshen up, adopt better habits, and focus on self-growth. So, as you are doing some spring cleaning around the house, consider doing the same for your health! Here are five ways for you to spring into better health this season:
1. Get Outside and Get Active
In general, it is recommended that children (ages 6-17) should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily while adults should get at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.
2. Eat A Healthy Diet
Make sure you are prioritizing a colorful, balanced diet so that your body is getting all the vitamins and nutrients it needs. The key to a healthy diet is balancing the energy you exert through physical activity and the energy you consume through foods.
It is also essential to drink plenty of water, especially as the weather warms up! The amount of water you should consume varies from person to person, however here are some basic guidelines from the Institute of Medicine (IOM):
- For men: 13 cups (about 3 liters) of fluid each day
- For women: 9 cups (a little more than 2 liters) of fluid each day
3. Get Plenty of Sleep
Sometimes with your increasingly busy agenda it is easy to forget that sleep is a necessity for good health, not merely a luxury. Here are some recommendations for hours of sleep per day for each age group according to the CDC:
- Newborn (0-3 months): 14-17 hours
- Infant (4-12 months): 12-16 hours
- Toddler (1-2 years): 11-14 hours
- Preschool (3-5 years): 10-13 hours
- School Age (6-12 years): 9-12 hours
- Teen (13-18 years): 8-10 hours
- Adult (18-60 years): at least 7 hours
4. Practice Sun Safety
Spending time outside is a wonderful way to get exercise and vitamin D, but as temperatures begin to rise, so does the UV index. Protect your skin and prioritize your health by taking preventative measures such as hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher.
5. Check In with Your Primary Care Provider
Keeping up with your primary care provider who knows you and is well acquainted with your overall health is one of the most important things you can do to “spring clean” your health this season. Make an appointment for a wellness exam to discuss your health goals!
