Capital Region | Capital Health | Spring 2019

6 Capital Region Medical Center The flowers are blooming, and the birds are singing. Suddenly, you feel more energetic than you have in months. It’s official: Spring has sprung. For many of us, the warmer weather comes with a burst of motivation to get healthier and tackle projects at home. So take advantage! Here are six simple, yet effective, ways to spring into action this season. 1 Plant an edible garden. Gardening is an easy (and inexpensive) way for everyone in your family to fill up on fresh produce. Veggies are at their most delicious when picked and eaten at the peak of ripeness. And you might find that you appreciate the flavor even more when you grow them yourself. You may reap some important health benefits too. Gardening is a fun way to be more active and spend less time sitting. And it delivers a nutrition boost: Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals. Eating more of them can help you maintain a healthy weight, as well as lower your risk for diseases like heart disease, stroke and some cancers. GET STARTED: Don’t have tons of outdoor space? Don’t worry. Many vegetables—like leafy greens, hot peppers and herbs—are easy to grow in pots or small gardens. 2 Get some outdoor exercise. Let the backyard or local park be your gym. An outdoor sweat session can lift your mood, while the sunshine serves up a welcome dose of vitamin D. And a change of scenery is always nice, right? It can be as simple as taking a brisk walk through your neighborhood. But don’t be afraid to mix it up. How about playing basketball or tennis with friends, trying an outdoor yoga class, or taking a post-dinner bike ride? Another idea: Use your surroundings as fitness props. Do pushups or dips on a park bench, or wrap a resistance band around a tree. GET STARTED: Do a mix of aerobic exercise (like walking or bicycling), stretches, and strength exercises that work your muscles. And if you haven’t been active in a while, get your doctor’s OK before lacing up your sneakers. SPRING into ACTION