3 Ways to Refresh Your Routine This Spring

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We’re in the first days of spring, obé fam, and things are looking up! We love this time of year for so many reasons: The days are longer, the air’s getting warmer, flowers are starting to bloom. Plus, the start of a new season is a perfect time to take inventory of what’s working—and what’s not—in your current routine.

After a winter defined by cold, gray days and not a lot of outdoor time, it’s more important than ever that we take some simple steps to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Here are three easy ideas that’ll make your life feel a little bit brighter this spring.

1. Mix up your workout routine.

Consistency may be key, but variety is the spice of life. Whether you love Dance Cardio with Liz C., never miss Cardio Boxing with Melody D., or you can’t imagine life without Sculpt with Sam, consider adding one new-to-you class to your routine schedule this week.

Don’t get us wrong—it’s great to get into a groove with your workouts! But research shows there are a few big benefits to switching things up. For starters, it can help prevent boredom—although we think that’d be impossible when you’re doing obé! Secondly, it can help you avoid reaching a plateau in workout performance and help you keep seeing the results you want.

Finally, varying your workout routine can improve adherence over the long run: One study found that people who modified their workouts every two weeks over an eight-week period enjoyed their workouts more and were more likely to stick with their exercise programs when compared to individuals who followed the same workout regimens week after week.

Try it: This week, take a HIIT class if you typically do Sculpt, or consider a Pilates class if you’re a Power person. Or if you’d rather stick with the tried-and-true classes you love, that’s cool too—maybe take your workout outdoors in your backyard or in a park to celebrate the warmer weather!

2. Dedicate an afternoon (or just an hour) to self-care.

We know that obé members are a busy bunch with plenty of obligations—to your job, to your family, to your friends. In a world where productivity is prized, taking time off for a self-care routine often gets ignored—but it shouldn’t be. While scheduling your obé workouts certainly counts as self-care, it also means more than that.

Self-care also means setting aside time to do nothing but focus on yourself, your needs, and your desires. Tending to your innermost needs, and taking a break from worrying about and caring for others, is the best way to restore your energy and feel refreshed—so that you’re better prepared to take care of others in the long term.

Try it: Mark off an afternoon (or an hour, if that’s what you can spare) to tell yourself (and your loved ones) that you’ll be taking some serious alone time, and do just that. Say no to any social obligations, chores (that you can put off), or work-related tasks, turn off the phone, and spend the time doing whatever you feel like doing—like vegging out on the couch with a glass of wine and your favorite TV show.

3. Spring clean your closet.

It’s easy to dread organizing your clothes, but you can also make it fun. (Cue: Carrie’s closet-fashion-show scene in Sex and the City.) Plus, when you get rid of clothes that you don’t really like anymore or that don’t fit, you make room for better (and cuter) things that actually bring you joy.

There’s also a major mental-health benefit to clearing out your space: Studies have found that a relaxing and clutter-free home can have a positive effect on your daily mood and ability to focus.“When we clear clutter, it has the potential to clear our mental space and attention span,” Tricia Wolanin, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and organizing expert, tells Healthline.

Try it: Turn on some tunes, FaceTime a fashionable friend, and tackle your closet—or at least a drawer, if that feels more doable! Follow the Marie Kondo-method, getting rid of things that no longer serve you and keeping only the items that bring you pleasure or joy. Donate unwanted clothes, toss ‘em or send them to a consignment shop, whether in-person or online. And when you’re done, may we suggest treating yourself to a new obé outfit or fitness gear!