How are you doing? I have been pretty quiet for the last few weeks. I finally feel like I am waking up from a long winter’s hibernation. My moods and energy are highly impacted by the seasons.

I believe that winter impacts most of us more than we like to admit. In our “GO, GO, GO” society, slowing down during the winter feels like it is not an option. We are expected to push ourselves hard no matter what. After years of keeping the same routines no matter what season it was, I have learned to embrace my own natural rhythm without feeling guilty.

While we are taught that the New Year is a fresh start and the perfect time to create goals, I believe the Springtime is the best time to start anew.

Spring is the natural time of creation and taking action. Unlike the dormant, stagnant energy of the winter, Spring is full of new growth and inspiration.

Spring is the perfect time to:

* Plan more in-person dates with friends.

* Be a tourist in your own town and explore places you have never been.

* Gently release your “winter layer” by focusing on healthy, seasonal foods that give your body more energy.

* Add more fun and play into your day.

* Donate clothing that doesn’t fit or that you haven’t worn in ages.

* Plant flowers or an herb garden.

* Experiment with different types of exercise and discover what you really enjoy.

* Spend more time in nature or just sitting outside and letting the sun kiss your body.

* Train for a race.

These are just a few ideas to get your juices flowing.

What are you excited about experiencing this spring? Give yourself some time to dream.

Spring is on your side. With each new flower, each bird that returns to build a nest, and each new green leaf on a branch; we can be reminded of our own ability to start again.

To vibrant, new beginnings- Michelle

Spring is in the air, making it the perfect time to lace up your jogging shoes. Need a running goal? Sign up for a local 5K race, and maybe convince some friends to do it with you.

Whether you’ve been hitting the gym as a regular this winter or hibernating from the cold, you can follow these suggestions to make training a little easier:

• Start training early. If you have a 5K already scheduled, start training at least five weeks ahead of time.
• If you’re getting started after a fairly sedentary winter, start slowly. One effective method is to alternate running and walking. Start with a one-minute run and five-minute walk, and repeat for a total of 30 minutes. Gradually increase the running time until you meet your goals. Read More

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and workers’ compensation serve different purposes, but the job leave provided by the two may overlap in some cases, affecting employment decisions on issues such as light duty.

FMLA provides employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for certain qualifying reasons, such as a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the functions of his or her job. FMLA generally applies to employees of businesses with at least 50 employees, and, under FMLA, employees are entitled to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for qualifying circumstances. Read More

When it comes to physical activity, any exercise is better than none, and a lot is better than a little. Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving, but messages promoting exercise often lack a strict definition of the amount of exercise needed to attain health benefits. In the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concluded that adults need two types of physical activity each week to improve overall health: aerobics and strength training. HHS recommends. Read More