Hello Sunshine! | March 29th, 2021

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray.”

 - Jimmie Davis

Hey Babe, sunshine looks good on you! There’s just something about longer days, blue skies, and warm sun on our faces and shoulders that makes the world seem a little brighter and our hearts happier.  It’s our favorite time of year, a season alive with a palette of pastels. So how are you spring breaking this year? There are ways to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate without traveling too far from home. Sometimes you have to find creative ways to recreate to find solace and serenity. And sometimes you just have to make your own sunshine and paint a rainbow wall!

Whether you’re taking a break from school or the office, it’s important to remember the reason why spring break started in the first place. Spring break became a vacation period for universities and schools in the 1930s. After long northern winters, students looked forward to an opportunity to travel south for some much-needed rest and relaxation and celebrate sunnier, better days ahead. 

There’s a reason why we crave sunshine and feel better just soaking up the warm rays of spring. After spending much of our winter days indoors, our bodies need the vitamin D and mental health boost that comes from being outdoors. Gustave Mahler, the Austro-Bohemian composer once described this desire, “Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer. I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.”

With so much uncertainty and restrictions on travel,  how do you spring break without breaking the bank and still have fun? Think about spending time off with those that you love best and that love you best - your closest family and friends. Consider the benefits of a much-needed staycation and all the recreation possibilities literally in your backyard.  Grab your gals, pack a picnic, pick a playlist, and make some mocktails. Time together is time well spent.

Whether you and yours section hike part of the Appalachian Trail, picnic at Brasstown Bald, have a photoshoot at top of Bell Mountain, hit the bike trails at Jack Rabbit Campground,  or hammock on the shores of Lake Chatuge, oftentimes we overlook adventures just outside our door. Whatever you do, “go where the wifi is weak and the sun is strong.”

Sometimes the best staycation is a spa-cation, and spa-like tranquility can be easily be created at home. Home isn’t just a physical address; home is a feeling. So it’s no surprise that where we feel the most relaxed is where we feel the most loved. That’s why it’s so important to cultivate a peaceful environment and living space where we can find solace and be our most authentic selves. We believe in the importance of caring for and taking care of others, but that can only happen when we are taking the time to take care of ourselves first. 

So stop work. Go for a walk. Decompress and breathe easy. Pamper yourself. Run a hot bath, light a candle, pour in some bath salts, grab a good book, and relax.  It’s finally spring and you deserve a break.