Spring Equinox: Setting Intentions for Nature's New Year

As we move from the deep “yin” of winter into the lighter, brighter days of spring, there is a distinct sense of change in the air. You may have noticed spring herbs like nettles, dandelions and cleavers poking out of the ground, flowers appearing on the branches, or the morning birdsong arriving a little earlier each day. All of these signs point to the beginning of a new season that brings a brand new type of energy that we can embrace and use to support our well-being. The spring season is nature's "new year" when new life and fresh growth appears, and is a much more supportive time for making resolutions and intentions than 1stJanuary in the middle of winter. On March 20thth, we reach the spring equinox and a powerful time to set those spring intentions in motion. The equinox is a time when day and night are equal in length and also marks the first official day of spring. As the mornings get brighter and brighter, spring helps us naturally feel more motivated to make positive changes and adopt a new mindset. However, aside from the change of seasons, the spring equinox has been celebrated for centuries as a time of rebirth, fertility and new beginnings. We've put together three practices for you to try this spring equinox to align your body and mind with the new season and brand new energy, so read on and choose your favorites!

Set your intention

You may have been invited to set an intention in a yoga or meditation class, or you often start the day by setting a mindful intention. The thing is, if only weSuperiorabout an intention and notdoSomething about it doesn't change much. For an intention to really work, it's helpful to dig a little deeper and become clearer about what you really want emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It also helps to think about how you want itfeelemotionally. When you wake up on this equinox, pull out your journal (we recommendGailson'shandmade paisley journalfor it) and try this powerful intention-setting exercise to help you move away from old feelings that don't serve you and move toward a state of being that you want to manifest this year:

Six-step intentional ritual

1. Zeichnen Sie auf Ihrer Tagebuchseite eine vertikale Linie in der Mitte
2. Schreiben Sie auf der linken Seite alle Wörter auf, die darstellen, wie Sie sich im vergangenen Jahr gefühlt haben
3. Schreiben Sie auf der rechten Seite alle Wörter auf, die darstellen, wie Sie sich dieses Jahr fühlen möchten
4. Wählen Sie ein Wort aus der linken Spalte, das einen negativen Zustand darstellt, und schreiben Sie dann drei Möglichkeiten auf, wie Sie sich von diesem Gefühl entfernen oder es ändern können. Zum Beispiel; Wenn Sie sich einsam gefühlt haben, können Sie an einem öffentlichen Yoga-Kurs teilnehmen, um andere Leute kennenzulernen, oder ein wöchentliches Treffen mit einem engen Freund vereinbaren. Sie könnten sich auch versprechen, öfter „Ja“ zu Gelegenheiten zu sagen, sich mit Freunden und Familie zu treffen.
5. Wählen Sie dann ein Wort aus der rechten Spalte, das am deutlichsten darstellt, wie Sie sich dieses Jahr fühlen möchten. Dieses Wort ist Ihre Absicht. Schreiben Sie drei Möglichkeiten auf, wie Sie sich diesem Gefühl nähern können. Zum Beispiel; Wenn Ihr Wort „ruhig“ ist, ist eine der Möglichkeiten, wie Sie sich darauf hinbewegen können, eine regelmäßige Meditationspraxis – die (Link entfernt) ist ein guter Einstieg, wenn Sie noch nie meditiert haben.

To take this practice one step further andYes, reallyIf you notice a difference, plan several things in your calendar that will actually help you get closer to your goal. And make them a priority! Most of us have such busy lives that nothing gets written down in the weekly newspaper(link removed)This is unlikely to happen, so check in with yourself and your intention several times over the next few weeks and it will make a big difference in how you feel.

Sow seeds

Nothing says “spring” like the sight of new shoots emerging from the ground. Spending time in your garden or tending to houseplants is a great way to take care of your mental health, and studies show that a little gardening can reduce stress and improve mood, especially symptoms of depression and anxiety. Whether you have a sprawling green garden or a room in an apartment, all you need to sow seeds is a pot, some compost and your seeds. As long as you have access to sunlight and water, you can grow a plant! Caring for plants helps us become more mindful and compassionate, and when you sow your seeds, you are taking part in a ritual that cultures have performed on the equinoxes for centuries. CheckPlant therapyby Dr. Katie CooperFor the best houseplants to suit your space, or if you're sowing vegetable seeds in your garden, opt for beetroot, carrots, peas, cabbage, leeks and spinach, all suitable for planting outside in March.

Spend time in nature

Every season offers many reasons to spend time in nature, but after a long, cold winter, spring is especially inviting to get outside. Choose an area where you feel safe and venture out for 10 minutes to a few hours. While walking, try the practice of "grounding," which involves standing barefoot on the earth, which is said to reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation, and calm the nervous system. If going barefoot is a step too far, consider taking yours(link removed)outside for some sun salutations at sunrise or sunset. You might come across spring herbs like nettle, which can be made into a mineral-rich nettle soup, or wild garlic, which tastes great tossed into a pesto or mixed into stir-fries. This is also a good time to let your eyes wander while taking a walk. When we spend a lot of time looking at a screen, our vision narrows and we often breathe very shallowly. Both can increase stress levels. So when we spend time in nature, it's a great opportunity to let your eyes wander over the different shapes and colors, which is known as "gentle fascination." To read(link removed)for 52 more ways to reconnect with nature this year. In the UK the equinox time is on the 20ththMarch this year will be around 3:30 p.m., so plan your Sunday afternoon walk to immerse yourself in nature and the changing of the seasons at this moment.