Spring has officially sprung, and with warmer weather finally within reach, we’re ready to get outside.  It’s so easy to get stuck in your daily work routine, but you need some Vitamin D, too.  And, scheduling some much deserved outside time into your routine can be pretty easy.  We know everyone already has their favorite things to do outside, but here’s a couple more to add to your list this spring.

1. Have a Picnic

Yes, it’s old school and maybe even a little cliché, but when is the last time you actually packed up, sat down, and had a real picnic?  Probably a while.  This is a great alternative to going out to eat because it’s a small way you can get outside and get active. 

You can get together with a group of friends and each bring a dish or side from your favorite local deli, or make that new recipe you’ve been dying to try.  By putting together a little picnic potluck you can help all your friends get together and get outside to welcome the spring. 

Or, after a long week, take a day for yourself, pack a lunch, grab a blanket and a good book and go have a personal picnic.  Pick your favorite park and just relax.  Clichés are clichés for a reason, and a picnic is definitely a classic outdoor activity for a reason.  It’s an easy way to set aside an hour of your day to enjoy the outdoors.  

2. Go for a Jog

Another pretty classic activity: jogging.  This spring, ditch the treadmill and hit the streets.  You’ve been cooped up all winter, and it’s finally nice out so why spend all that time in the gym when you could be running around outside. 

You don’t have to go for long, and it honestly doesn’t even really have to be a “jog.”  Pick your own pace.  Even just going for a short stroll around the block is something.  It’s another easy way to get outside and enjoy some springtime, even just for a few minutes.  

3. Play a Team Sport

Another great way to get outside and get all your friends together at the same time.  Join an organized softball league, or put together your own.  Pick a day of the week, head to the park, and play a pickup game of soccer. 

Just like having a real picnic, when is the last time you actually played a team sport?  Probably a while.  By designating one day a week, or joining an organized league, you can make a team activity part of your routine, and hence, setting aside some more time for the outside. 

4. Plant a Garden

Spring is the perfect time to start a garden. If you plan accordingly, then by gardening earlier in the season you can actually grow more.  It is important to be a little more cautious when you begin gardening in the spring, because there can still be some frost and colder weather. Cover up seedlings in a plastic cover on nights it is supposed to be especially cold, or if you feel more comfortable, just cover them every night. 

You also don’t necessarily have to begin planting in the spring, but you could just start planning and plotting a small area.  Choose where you want to make your garden in the summer, and start weeding and preparing that area.  Gardening is another activity that really doesn’t take up much time in your day, but it gets you to spend just a little more time outside enjoying yourself.

So, these are just a few of our favorite things to do outside.  And whether you choose something from our list, or something from your own, give yourself that much deserved spring sunshine time.  The best way to welcome these warmer months is by taking advantage of them and getting outside, even just a little. 

Even though a little change is always a good thing, adjusting to it is not necessarily the most fun.  It’s easy to say to ourselves, “what do you mean, I love change, the only constant in life is change", however when it comes down to it, we all know some changes are a lot easier to love than others. 

Maybe you recently got a promotion at work, or you’re currently redecorating your home, these are typically pretty exciting changes.  But, sometimes, we all also have to go through those changes that have been inflicted on us and aren’t exactly what we would describe as enjoyable.  It’s important to remember that both types of change, good and bad, can bring stress to your life, but you can also take little steps to cope, and combat this stress before it sets in. 

Even changes for the better bring extra stress to our lives.  Adapting to something new asks a lot of us as a person.  Even though we may not think so, we are all creatures of habit, at least to some extent.  Here are a couple pointers on little things you can do when life takes a little bit of a twist.

Address the problem more than your feelings

This doesn’t mean not to talk about your feelings.  Addressing your feelings is totally okay, however, by only talking about your feelings rather than focusing on the problem itself, it’s easier to get stuck simply dwelling on the negativity rather than thinking about potential solutions to the actual problem at hand. 

By only talking about our feelings of fear, anger, or anxiety towards a situation, then we cause a sort of loop that keeps us stuck in those feelings. Whereas if we talk about the problem itself, we are able to actually seek out potential advice and solutions to actually solve it.  We can’t necessarily change our feelings, and we shouldn’t have to, instead though we can change how we chose to solve a problem.

Stop stressing about being stressed

We put so much pressure on ourselves to not feel stressed, that we actually stress ourselves out even more.  Stress isn’t a bad thing.  It’s how we approach it that really matters.  A little bit of stress can actually be a good thing. 

Think about why you’re stressed, this comes back to addressing the actual problem at hand rather than just the feeling.  Your stress is really just there to help you properly prepare for whatever the problem at hand is.  So, harness it, use it to your advantage.

Look at each change as an opportunity

Every change, good or bad, leaves room for growth.  It is usually a lot easier to see opportunity from positive changes, however it is a result of negative changes as well.  Change forces you to adapt, and by changing your path, you leave room to learn things about yourself and certain situations that you may have never learned should things have just remained the same. 

By approaching all types of change with this outlook, you can help yourself accept it, and the good it is going to bring you, even if it’s not in the most conventional way. 

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Remember, you control your attitude.  Don’t let change get you down.  We know, this is one of those things that is easier said than done, but it’s also nice to remember.  No matter how good or bad something may seem, the attitude you approach it with makes all the difference. 

And, as we all know, change really is the only constant in life, so don’t get yourself crazy over every little thing.  It’s all part of life, and sometimes you just need to remind yourself that everything’s OK. 

While you’re obviously not going to approach each new change in your life with a huge smile on your face, it is important to remind yourself that you can handle anything thrown your way.  These pointers unfortunately can’t prevent you from ever being stressed again, but they can help you deal with the stress of change in a more productive and inspiring fashion.

We all remember to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day (nobody likes to get pinched), but this year, why not go green too?  It’s getting arguably more and more important to do what we can for the environment, but luckily it’s also getting much easier. 

There are so many little things you can do to make a big difference.  So, in the spirit of St. Patty’s, we’ve put together a list of five small steps you can take in your everyday life to go a little greener and help out Mother Earth.

1. Be Conscious of Your Thermostat

You can make a huge difference simply by setting your thermostat a couple degrees colder in the winter and warmer in the summer.  The electricity used to heat and cool your house contributes to the greenhouse gases in our environment, which contributes to climate change. 

So, by making this small change in thermostat temperature, you reduce your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.  And, as if that isn’t great enough, you also reduce your energy bill.       

2. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

These light bulbs use 70% less energy than regular Incandescent light bulbs.  You can find them in literally any store right next to the traditional light bulbs, and while they cost about $1 more, they typically last for up to 8,000 hours, whereas standard incandescent bulbs only last 1,200 hours.  So, again you’re saving money (seems pretty on theme with “green”) and doing your part to save the planet.  

3. Swap Out Your Soap and Skincare Supplies

Unfortunately, most household hand soaps, body washes, and deodorants have ingredients like triclosan.  And yep, you guessed it, not only are these chemicals harmful for our skin, but they’re harmful for the environment. 

And, studies show that these chemicals don’t even help kill germs better than alternatives made without them.  Try swapping them out for an all-natural alternative.  In the spirit of the holiday, stock up on some natural alternatives, and use the code GREEN for X% off your entire order.

4. Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water

At this point it’s safe to say the not-so-secret trick to going green is saving energy, and washing your clothes in cold water saves a lot of energy.  Not to mention, it saves your clothes, too.  Heating the water uses about 90% of the energy it takes to operate your washer.  So, cut out this step, cut out a lot of energy used.  Plus, you no longer run the risk of shrinking your clothes or fading the colors.  It’s a win, win.

5. Bring Your Own Bag, Bottle, Etc.

Get a reusable bag you love, invest in a nice water bottle, treat yourself to a new to-go coffee mug.  By bringing your own everything, you’ll significantly reduce the amount of waste you’re producing.  And, it’s more fun to have your own little personalized items anyways.

Challenge yourself to make at least one change in the spirt of going green this St. Patrick’s Day.  It doesn’t take much to help out the environment, not to mention, a lot of these tips can help out your wallet, too.