COLUMN: Spring: A time for renewal and rejuvenation

The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming and the days are getting longer—spring is finally here! Just like nature shakes off the chill of winter, it’s the perfect time for us to do the same. Whether it’s refreshing your routine, spending more time outdoors or finding new ways to relax, spring is all about renewal and rejuvenation.

If winter stress has left you feeling drained, now is the time to reset. Try deep breathing exercises, daily walks in nature or getting creative with crafts to bring more peace into your day. Simple changes—like decluttering your space, staying active and soaking up the sunshine—can do wonders for your mind and body.

This spring let’s bloom into a season of less stress and more joy! What’s your favorite way to refresh and unwind?

Stress is a normal part of life, but too much can harm your well-being. Purdue has some tips and tricks to help manage it:

• Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, to reduce anxiety and improve attention. 
• Engage in Physical Activity: Regular exercise increases endorphins, improves sleep and boosts self-esteem, all of which helps alleviate stress. 
• Improve Time Management: Efficiently managing your time can reduce stress by allowing for rest and personal activities. 
• Identify Stressors: Recognize the sources of your stress to develop effective coping strategies. 
• Maintain Social Connections: Spending time with family and friends provides support and helps mitigate stress. 
• Adopt Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation methods such as deep breathing, counting slowly or taking short walks to manage immediate stress. 

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott

Here are some programs that I have coming up soon:

April 16

Hero Story Time. I will be at the library every other week to read a book from our “hero” series teaching about being kind, controlling behaviors, being a good friend and more for our preschool age kiddos. Join us at the library at 10 a.m. Contact the Owen County Public Library or the Purdue Extension-Owen County Office for more information.

April 17

Parents Forever, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Purdue Extension-Owen County office. This is an educational program for families experiencing divorce, separation, a change in child custody or just wanting to learn how to parent better together. Please pre-register for this event by calling 812-829-5020 or emailing lowder0@purdue.edu. 

May 5 

Get WalkIN Owen County. This competition will be held each day, Monday through Friday, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Courthouse Square. Each day you will log the amount of time that you walk and the day that you walked. Our local health department will be giving out swag on certain days throughout the competition. At the end of June all those that have completed six or more weeks with us will be entered in a drawing for some bigger prizes. Stay tuned to Purdue Extension’s Facebook page and website for more information on this event. You can always email lowder0@purdue.edu or call 812-829-5020 for more information. 

June 9

Matter of Balance. Stay tuned for more information, but mark your calendars for this class. It will be held each Monday, from 10 a.m. to noon, for eight weeks at the Owen County Public Library.

More programs will be added throughout the month, so stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for updates.

If you're interested in a program on food, finance, family or health, let me know—I’d love to bring one to your group or organization.

To feature a program at your event/meeting, email the details to lowder0@purdue.edu. I look forward to connecting with you!