In many cultures spring is held as the true beginning of the New Year leaving behind the darker days and cold nights of winter into new fresh beginnings.

The vernal equinox has long been held by cultures in the northern hemisphere as a time of rebirth and regeneration.

In Christianity, the spring equinox is the time of the passion, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. Other religions as well have given credence to this special time of year. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Mayans celebrated the resurrections of their own gods, and the temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia aligns to the spring equinox. ¹ Following the patterns of these religions and seasons can allow us to be more aligned with our own circadian rhythms.

Planning ahead

Spring is a time of planning and a great time to start new projects and to let go of irrelevant ones. Picking up a “spring planner” or creating a list of goals can be very beneficial this time of year.

Asking yourself these questions before writing down goals can be helpful:

• What projects can I complete that will add quality to my life and to others around me?
• Are there people in my life that can support me with my goals?
• Which goals have priority in my life?
• Are my goals manageable and realistic for me at this present time?

Exercise to Stay Motivated

If motivation is what you are after consider taking a walk outside or a hike in nature to hear the buzzing of the bee’s or to witness the fresh flowers in bloom. Exercise is a proven way to circulate our blood supply and enhance our mood. According to Chinese Medicine Theory spring is the time of the liver and the movement of “liver blood” can help to raise our mood and allows us to feel better – an interesting fact is that at any given time your liver contains about 10 percent of your body’s total blood volume, and it filters 1.4 liters of blood per minute ² . According to Chinese Medical Theory long periods of no-movement can make one feel irritable, “stuck” and unmotivated – so keep moving this spring!

References:

1. Booth, Jessica. “The Spring Equinox Will Bring New Beginnings For ALL Signs.” December 17, 2018. https://www.bustle.com/p/spring-equinox-2018-spiritual-meanings-to-help-you-make-the-most-out-of-the-new-season-8466618.
2. Diseases, Center For Liver. “What Does the Liver Do for the Body? | About Liver Function.” UPMC HealthBeat. August 29, 2018. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://share.upmc.com/2015/09/what-does-the-liver-do-for-the-body/.