5 Ways to Flourish this Spring

To flourish is to be successful, to prosper, to grow. To flourish is to thrive! Springtime reminds us of new life, vigorous growth, change, and resilience.

Spring has sprung, and our positive emotions and desire to blossom have awakened within us. We are ready to flourish! To flourish this spring and beyond, we must consider our physical health, our emotions, our relationships, our developmental growth, and the purpose of life. Flourishing means focusing on our well-being. Let’s dive into some strategies to help us flourish!

1. Be kind

Kindness has a domino effect. Smile at strangers. If you think someone looks nice or does something you admire, TELL THEM! Do little things you wouldn’t normally do to help others. Sign up to volunteer for an organization that matters to you. You’ll be surprised at how these small acts provide a sense of purpose and you may even inspire others to do the same!

2. Practice gratitude

Take some time to acknowledge the abundant blessings in your life. Look what you’ve created for yourself! Create a ‘gratitude jar’ and fill it with hand-written notes about what you feel thankful for each day. Write in a gratitude journal at the start or end of each day. It may help to quiet the outside noise and stressors and remind you of what is most important.

3. Work on your relationships

Developing and nurturing healthy relationships is an important tool in achieving your happiest and most fulfilled self. Invest energy and time in your relationships with your partner, children, friends, and extended family. Check in with those you haven’t seen in a while. Cheer for your friends’ accomplishments. Plan quality time with the people that matter most to you, even if it’s a 10-minute chat or lunch date. If you think of someone while you’re making dinner, send them a quick voice note to let them know they are on your mind. When you meet new people that intrigue you, make an effort to see them again and build a friendship from there. Be intentional in supporting connections with your people.

4. Savor

Don’t just savor a wonderful meal (although, of course, that’s important!), savor the moments that create your life. Take all the photos. Share fun stories about past events and plan another outing so you have something special to look forward to. Be in the moment. Pay attention to the way you feel when celebrating the goodness of your life and those around you. Focusing on your positive emotions and memories can help motivate you to create more of them. Savoring the special and mundane moments in your life can improve your happiness.

5. Focus on your daily health habits

Incorporate colorful foods into your diet. Move your body. Know your worth. When you feel stressed, use the tools above to regulate your emotions. Turn off the news from time to time and train your attention on something good. Get enough rest. Practice optimism. Find the right health supplements that will benefit your health from the inside out. (Consider a naturally fermented daily probiotic like Flourish!) Consistent introduction of good bacteria to the body can not only improve your digestion and support your immune system. Probiotics also promote healthy brain function! A happy gut environment seems to make for a happier brain! See our blog post about the gut-brain axis. 

Positive expectations can lead to positive outcomes. Flourish this spring and you will find yourself feeling content, useful, joyful, and purpose driven. Growth takes courage. Set achievable goals, stay intentional, and you will flourish in your life.

Written by Lynn Haak, Entegro Health