SPRING TRANSITIONING TIPS

The clocks have already advanced one hour in the annual “let’s lose another hour of sleep to gain an hour of sunlight”, while awakening the giant inside as we rejoice and anticipate beautiful balmy breezes, new growth popping up from subterranean earth, while welcoming the return of the sweet chatter and cacophony of birds and watching playful squirrels and ground hugging critters reclaim their territories.

Spring is officially here. Many parts of the U.S. are experiencing unseasonal summer-like temperatures more fitting for July and August, instead of mid-March. In my area, for example, we’ve had a string of mid to upper eighties, which are some twenty to twenty-five degrees above average, rewriting the record books. Folks are donning their shorts, sunning, gaming, running and taking in the welcome change from a rather skittish and erratic winter. All of nature has similarly embraced the return of very warm temperatures, forcing blooms on bushes and trees of all kinds to paint the earth’s canvas with floral pastels and lush greenery; birds sing joyfully adding to the movement of the season.

That being said, what the clime has done to our psyches is nothing compared to the impact it’s had on our skin. It’s season-ravaged, dried, and dull. Add to this that all of our senses long to be renewed as well, so we pullback and regroup, while strategizing our approach to transitioning from winter into spring, and invariably into summer. Following are some helpful tips I’ve developed that will help you transition from winter, into spring and summer. Many of these tips are intuitive and already aware of, but it never hurts to have a gentle reminder or nudge.

As seasons change and transition from one to another, these changes impact virtually every aspect of our lives. We need to be mindful of the need to change and adapt as well. Consider the following as you transition from winter to spring:

· Change your skin care and body care regimen and products. Go with lighter formulations. With more humidity in the air, you might be able to forgo using a serum or booster, plus heavier-weight moisturizers, and just go with a medium-weight moisturizer. Consider exfoliating less and reducing the intensity of your cleansing regimen. If the change is too drastic, your skin will react; so, pay attention to what your skin might be telling you to do or not to do.

· Consider using chilled face toners or an essential oil-based spritzer to refresh the face and neck areas throughout the day, especially as temperatures heat up and humidity increases.

· Change the intensity of your fragrance. Go with lighter formulations, such as florals or greens, versus woods, ambers, musk, etc. Remember, as temperatures warm up and humidity levels increase, so too will your body heat, intensifying the fragrance, which could make it too cloying.

· Continue using products with a sunscreen/SPF rating to protect the skin from UVA/UVB rays. If uncertain, consider consulting a dermatologist.

· Both the weight of clothing fabric and color palettes should changeover from weightier fabric materials with darker colors, to lighter-weight fabrics (e.g. cotton, silk, natural fiber blends, etc.) that are more neutral or pastel; lighter weight fabrics and colors also keep the skin cooler, naturally.

· When in doubt, look to nature for cues on what to do. For example, during the day when the sun’s rays are their strongest, most birds and other creatures have the good sense to seek shade and avoid rigorous activity. Take a cue from them, slow down and stay cooler. Animals also begin shedding their winter “coats” to prepare for the warmer temperatures.

· What may have worked during the fall and winter, might not necessarily work in the spring and the lead-up to summer.

· Lighten up on the types of foods you consume and continue drinking plenty of water to maintain a healthy digestive and circulatory system.

· Don’t forget to open those windows and let the balmy breezes and fresher air envelope you.

· Enjoy the rebirth of all-things nature and celebrate all of its changes.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker. She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa. She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz. You can email her at terry_h60559@yahoo.com.

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(Photo by Joseph D. Herman)