By Abigail Funk-Gifford of Rasa Spa
Although it might be a touch early, we just couldn’t help it—The beautifully warm weather we had here in the Finger Lakes in the middle of March has us thinking about spring. This season means different things to all of us of course, but here at Rasa Spa we always lean in to the idea of renewal.
Just like the green leaves starting to show on branches and the bulbs popping back up through the earth, it’s such a great time to reflect into ourselves and think about our own renewal. We invite you to join us in doing so this year. Here are some of the ways we approach this annual exercise:
Did you have a new year’s resolution that didn’t quite stick the way you were intending? Instead of letting it go completely because it’s slipped a bit, renew that resolution and start your “new year” this spring instead.
We’ve found that scheduling time for ourselves ahead on the calendar does wonders. Given the state of the world this past year, we believe self-care has become more important than ever. Committing to regular self-care ahead of time is intentional, we find ourselves really looking forward to it, and it means we’re less likely to let it slip.
Establishing a renewed self-care routine could also mean adding in something new. Try adding a yoga or meditation class, a weekly walk just for yourself, receiving massage or a body treatment regularly (it could be every month, every/other month, quarterly, or even just annually—any body work is better than no body work!), getting a professional facial at each season’s change, or adding specific time to sit by the lake or at one of the beautiful waterfalls in the Finger Lakes to just “be.”
Renewing our commitment to healthy eating is also an annual spring exercise for us. We were so inspired by the surge in at-home gardening last spring, we can’t wait to do it again this year. Now is the time for a few of our seed starters to get going inside, and we’re ready to commit now for a bountiful summer garden.
If you don’t have a green thumb so to speak, we know we’re lucky to live in an area where we have immediate access to fresh produce and healthy food locally. Now is the time to sign up for a CSA, or check out the area’s farmers market schedule for this year. Support your own body while also supporting a local business.
However it is that you renew this spring, we wish you well and are here for you if you need us!
Abigail Funk-Gifford is the Spa Director at Rasa Spa, where she has been working on the management team since 2013. Originally from Vermont, Abby attended Ithaca College for a degree in sports information and never left the area after falling in love with the Finger Lakes. She loves calling both the Finger Lakes area and Rasa home.
