6 Steps to Renew Your Self-Care Plan
Orlando Therapist Shares 6 Steps to Renew Your Self-Care Plan…
Are you feeling like you need a little reboot to your self-care routine like things have gotten out of balance and some of the old ways of being have crept back in? Those old familiar feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and exhaustion have ticked up again.
As an Orlando therapist that specializes in trauma and anxiety, one of the first things clients and I do in a session is to create a solid self-care plan. Without the ability to take care of ourselves, we just don’t have what it takes to manage all of our responsibilities.
When we are feeling taxed and depleted, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and overwhelm can really overtake us. A solid self-care plan helps to regulate our nervous system so that we can bring our best version of ourselves to all that we do.
Many of us kick off the new year with promises and plans to implement a solid self-care plan. Oftentimes by springtime, these grand plans seem to lose their steam. Spring is a great time to evaluate what is working and not working so that you can refresh and renew your self-care plan.
1. Go Outside and Get Moving in Orlando
With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, this is naturally a time of year you can plan for more outdoor activities. Being in nature and soaking in vitamin D from the sun are natural mood boosters, which is a bonus for your self-care plan.
Another benefit of doing a springtime self-care reboot is that the nicer weather outside makes it more inviting to go for walks, bike rides, and jogs. This is a great time of year to recommit to nurturing your body through movement.
Check out the Cady Way Bike Trail which is located four miles northeast of Downtown Orlando and is one section of a larger regional trail. The awesome bike trail is also connected to various restaurants, retail, and Downtown Baldwin Park.
The trail is twelve feet wide, with two trail spurs that connect Lake Baldwin and Lake Susannah. If you’re up for the challenge hop on over in the morning to enjoy a fun fitness run and walk at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando for the Fins Up Bunny Hop 5K Fun Run & Walk.
But if you’re looking for something that will get you dancing instead join The Orlando Museum of Art on Saturday, April 16, 2022, for a chance to dance! Come Out With Pride is hosting an adult-only (21+) Pride Prom with a theme of “Express Yourself,” presented by The Orlando Museum of Art.
If you’re ready to move your body think about visiting Warrior One in Winter Garden. They are hosting a free Community YIN Yoga class for all levels every Friday at 7:30 PM.
2. Enjoy Outdoor Socializing in Orlando
During the colder months, many folks avoided socializing due to social distancing. Springtime weather allows us the opportunity to have social gatherings outside while minimizing the risk of COVID.
This time of year, Orlando has many opportunities to gather outdoor for food festivals, concerts, and more!
A famous food and drink festival for the whole family is the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival where you can enjoy a variety of foods, gardens, and entertainment outdoors at a Walt Disney World Park.
A festival for just adults, we recommend visiting the Brews Around the Zoo festival where attendees will get the chance to sample more than 30 different craft beers as well as soak up the fun atmosphere at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford.
A local favorite is the 10th Annual Winter Park Wine & Dine a ticketed event where you will enjoy over 35 local restaurants, craft beers, specialty cocktails, plus live music.
Now if you’re looking to enjoy some outdoor socializing with your favorite furry friend, look no further than DogFest Orlando. Gather all your loved ones and head over to the DogFest and support the mission of Canine Companions.
To enjoy some outdoor tunes, check out the Jazz'n Blues Concert to enjoy an amazing evening of smooth jazz and blues. Hosted at the Harry P. Leu Gardens on April 9th at 7 PM.
3. Tap into your Creativity in Orlando
Springtime is a great time to tap into your creativity! With the longer daylight hours and more sunlight, our bodies release happy hormones that give us more energy. Take advantage of this springtime energy boost and channel it into being creative.
Orlando has many different ways to tap into your creativity. (look for events or places like painting pottery)
Or if you want to enjoy some art you can stroll the Winter Park Paint Out hosted by The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. The gallery and sculpture gardens will be free to the public during the week-long event.
4. Spring Into A Morning Self-Care Plan
With the spring-forward time change, this is a great time of year to implement a self-care practice in the morning, since your body is already used to waking up an hour early. You could use this time to meditate, journal, or move your body.
To get you started on your journaling journey check out, 100 Journaling Prompts for Personal Reflection and Growth.
5. Nourish Your Body with Springtime Produce in Orlando
It’s important to eat healthy, balanced, and colorful meals so that you can fuel your body with nutritious ingredients. Spring brings with it some yummy new and fresh produce to our Orlando farmer’s markets.
Orlando’s Lake Eola Farmers Market - Find seasonal fresh produce and more at the Lake Eola Market on Sundays from 10 am - 3 pm. The market is dog friendly.
Orlando’s Windermere Farmers Market - Open to the public on Fridays from 9:00 AM –1:30 and Located in Town Square in the heart of Windermere. The Market has lots of fresh produce, bread, plants, homemade pasta, and local honey.
Orlando’s Winter Park Farmers Market - This market is known for its fresh produce and plants. It takes place every Saturday morning from 8 AM to 1 PM
Orlando’s Maitland Farmers Market - You can visit the Maitland Farmers Market on Sundays, 9 AM to 1:30 PM located in Independence Lane next to City Hall. Also, they have live music that starts at 10 AM.
6. Treat Yourself with Springtime Flowers in Orlando
Tell yourself, ‘I love you’ with Spring flowers. Springtime flowers such as tulips, roses, and peonies can bring a sense of satisfaction and joy to any space. Treat yourself with a bouquet of flowers to liven up your home and your workspace.
Spring Into A Morning Self-Care Plan
With the spring-forward time change, this is a great time of year to implement a self-care practice in the morning, since your body is already used to waking up an hour early. You could use this time to meditate, journal, or move your body. To get you started on your journaling journey check out, 100 Journaling Prompts for Personal Reflection and Growth.
Therapy Orlando
If you’re interested in working on your self-care with a therapist, click here to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Mindful Living Counseling Orlando.
Additional Self-Care Resources
About the Author
Orlando Therapist, Lauran Hahn, LMHC, specializes in working with clients that are struggling with anxiety and trauma. She also helps clients heal from and stop getting into toxic relationships. Lauran has a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist as well as a Certified EMDR Therapist. She helps clients feel calm in their minds and bodies, at peace within themselves and connected in relationships.
Mindful Living Counseling Orlando is a trauma healing center. Our Orlando Therapy Services include anxiety therapy, trauma counseling, eating disorder recovery, teen counseling, and healing from toxic relationships. At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we use a down-to-earth approach infused with cutting-edge therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy so clients can heal at the root level and experience lasting change. Feel free to access one of our Guided Meditations to help you feel settled and calm now.