Article by Deb Fraine
Natures first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf is a flower;
But only so an hour.
Leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief.
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
-Robert Frost
As Robert Frost (1874-1963) reminds us, there is something truly special, yet fleeting about this time of year. A new hope, restored energy, longer days and a sense of rebirth. One of the benefits of living in the Northern Hemisphere is that we truly get to experience the beauty and the joy of all four seasons. Each season gives us a different rhythm to our lives, nature displays distinctly different scenery and the temperature outdoors is constantly changing. A sign of nature’s renewal, Saturday March 20 marks the spring or vernal equinox- the first day of spring when the day and night are of equal length.
Entering the season of spring after this past year seems especially hopeful. As we emerge from not only winter but the restrictions of a pandemic. There is hope for the potential to see family and friends again in a safe way as the temperature outside becomes warmer.. Our bodies, minds and spirits have been under a great deal of stress over the past year. There is no doubt that our “issues live in our tissues” and we may be experiencing physical and emotional symptoms as a result of this prolonged stress. Spring is a perfect time to begin to return to outdoor warmer weather activities to revitalize ourselves, our gardens and our relationships with friends.
What are some of the ways that we can take advantage of this beautiful season as we shed our layers- physical and emotional? Maybe you would like to –
-take an outdoor yoga class for the first time
-return to your daily walks around town, mindfully noticing all the beautiful details of nature’s renewal
-develop a practice of regular meditation outside- even 10 minutes daily can be life changing
-discover one of the local nature trails which are so abundant in the Southcoast area
-take a bicycle ride or stroll on the newly extended Mattapoisett Bike Path
-start a vegetable garden
-put up a bird feeders for backyard bird watching
-clean out a garden and reveal the bulbs blooming from the earth
-dust off your camera and take some fabulous pictures of our beautiful sunrises and sunsets
-visit the beach before the crowds arrive
-consider kayaking or paddle boarding to get a different perspective on the shoreline
Whatever it may be, there are endless opportunities right here in our local area this spring to discover what restores your joy.
Is there a new or old injury that is preventing you from trying a new activity or returning to one that you formerly enjoyed? Perhaps it is time to emerge this spring with a plan to practice self care by scheduling an appointment with an Occupational Therapist that specializes in shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand pain to take care of that ache or pain that is preventing you from sleeping, engaging in your favorite athletic activity, hobby or performing your work.
There most likely is more than one practitioner at the Mattapoisett Wellness Center that can help you return to your most productive, pain free life as you plan to engage in your best spring season ever. Acupuncture, therapeutic massage, physical therapy/craniosacral therapy, psychotherapy, yoga and fitness classes- so many holistic expert practictioners under one roof!
Schedule an appointment to see us today and make the spring of 2021 the time that you “Reclaim your best self.”
