Spring Health

The following article is for information only and is no substitute for medical advice or your own research. Please be mindful of your needs and seek appropriate professional support as necessary.

Supporting relaxation

The world has felt like a confusing, daunting and often overwhelming place for a long while now. For many of us, this has contributed to an underlying level of worry and stress that feels like it sits deeper than the usual ups and downs of everyday life. And that can lead to anxiety, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating and a general sense of constantly being unsettled, as well as various possible physical symptoms and signs.

While what one person perceives as challenging or stressful may not cause the same worries in another, and we all have our own ways of unwinding, I thought I’d share a few of the self-care strategies that I have been using recently to help support my own rest and relaxation.

Perhaps you might find an idea you resonate with, or perhaps not. But if I do these few things relatively consistently, I find they make a noticeable difference. And after the year that has recently past, I think we all deserve to take the time to prioritise a little relaxation and rejuvenation.

Regular movement

I am not a huge fan of the gym, but I do love yoga and getting out for a walk or gentle jog in nature. In fact, the more worried I feel, the more I need to move and get outside. It’s an association that I have noticed more and more over the last few years and is the thing that seems to make the biggest difference to me.

I aim for at least 20 minutes a day of moderate exercise.  Sometimes I do more, sometimes less, but it is a realistic target to aim for at this moment in time. I particularly like online yoga classes (on Movement for Modern Life or YouTube) if I don’t have time to get out.

Watching caffeine intake

Excessive intake of caffeine can mimic the physical signs and symptoms of anxiety for some people. I am one of those people. I get palpitations, feel clammy and become very restless if I drink too much tea or coffee. So although I love my cup or two in the early morning, I tend not to drink any caffeine after 12-1pm(ish). It also has a noticeable positive effect on my ability to get off to sleep when I follow this guideline.

A word of warning: Don’t dramatically decrease your caffeine intake or go ‘cold turkey’ if you drink more than 2 cups a day, as it can lead to bad headaches and extreme fatigue. I generally suggest, if you wish, to reduce by around one cup every 4-7 days.

Check out this article for more information on the science behind caffeine.

Prioritising sleep

Sleep always feels like a multiplier to me – the less I sleep, the harder everything feels and the more worried and stressed I become. The opposite is also true. If I prioritise sleep and the time it takes me to gently wind-down beforehand, the better I feel all-round. I find that turning off my mobile is an important step in my wind-down routine. This act sends me a message that it is also time to switch-off from the outside world and start to turn inward toward sleep. Click here for 9 more important tips for a great night’s sleep.

Talking to loved ones

There is that age-old saying of a ‘problem shared, a problem halved’. Sometimes, I find that is particularly true for worries. Speaking them out loud to a sympathetic and supportive ear seems to have an interesting effect. Putting it into words helps me to process the worry and see it from new perspectives, as much as it helps to hear another person’s thoughts.

This is something that many of us have missed out on sorely in recent months, so if and when possible, do try to actually speak to loved ones on video call, the phone or even in person (when safe to do so). This sense of connection is a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety.

Trying a meditation app

I am by no means and expert at meditation, but I did learn a few years ago with The School of Meditation  and find that if I do practice consistently, I definitely notice a difference. Perhaps try out the Headspace or Calm apps if you are new to it. I love the sleep stories on Calm, too, if I am struggling to drift off.

Seasonal food

Some of my favourite produce comes into season over spring so I have listed what to look out for below along with a few recipe ideas to help you make the most of them. Of course, there are lots more quick-and-easy spring recipes in Simply Good For You too.

Asparagus: Try my these 3 different recipes for asparagus, warm spring medley or simple grilled asparagus with fish.

Broad beans: I am a bit of an addict and eat them with everything when they are in season. Try them lightly steamed with lemon juice and good olive oil or in a dip with crunchy veg, or for little ones, try my fish fingers with broad bean mash.

Leeks: I’m not sure you can beat this creamy lemon cod with fennel and leeks , although my comforting veggie bake is a close runner-up.

New potatoes: Simply cooked with good olive oil and fresh herbs is a winner for a spring table. I also love them in the one-tray roasted spring salad from Simply Good For You (pg. 234).

Oranges: I love oranges just as they come, as a citrusy treat after lunch or supper, but for a more decadent option, try this chocolate and orange chia pudding.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli: All broccoli is a bit of a staple in my life but this purple variety always feels pretty special when it is available. I eat it steamed and drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice or roasted with garlic and chilli.

Radishes: Try roasting them (trust me!). Otherwise, just enjoy them raw, dipped into a lemony dressing or houmous.

Samphire: I haven’t written any recipes for you yet using samphire so this is a good reminder to do so! I adore this salty marine vegetable steamed, then drizzled with olive oil and served with simple grilled fish and lemon.

Spinach: Baby leaf spinach and smashed smoked mackerel on toast is a bit of an addiction of mine but I also add it to soups, curries, stews and casseroles. This fish and spinach curry makes a regular appearance on my meal plans.

Spring onions: Chopped onto salads and over soups or Asian dishes. I grow the purple ones, which make everything look so pretty.

Rhubarb: Always remember to remove the leaves as they are poisonous. I mostly just roast it in chunks with grated ginger and orange juice and enjoy with yoghurt. But if you want a more show stopping option, try my rhubarb and custard tart or rhubarb and orange fool.

Watercress: Of course, utterly delicious as a simple salad leaf, you could also try it in this amazing Spring Tart.