With so many occurrences during March, including the start of Daylight Saving Time and Mardi Gras, how does a modern member of society maintain balance and equanimity during each day? Perhaps by following the example of the Vernal Equinox, which occurs March 20, 2011. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the first day of spring with its implications of new beginnings and the promise of warm weather to come. An equinox is the moment when the sun is exactly above the equator of the earth, creating an (almost) equal amount of night and day for both hemispheres. After that moment, the sun proceeds to travel north, lengthening our days and warming our communities.
This occurrence is a great opportunity to begin to create balance in our own lives, without the expectation of being “perfect” – even on the equinox the night/ day length is not exactly equal, allowing for the natural curves of the earth and the effect that has on light distribution. Similarly, we can be accepting of our own nature and include some self-care while we are doing our own “spring cleaning”.
With so much energy kicked up around the shifting of the seasons, and the basic physical changes involved with going from cold to warm (and sometimes back again!), it is also a great time to consider boosting your immune system to help prevent or manage seasonal ailments. There are many ways to strengthen your immune system including adding vitamins such as Vitamin C and D to your supplements, which can be beneficial not only for the physical body but for the emotions, potentially helping with  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Improvements in diet can also help, such as cutting back on coffee and sugar, adding more water, fruits, vegetables and proteins to your daily intake. One often overlooked immune booster is simply getting more sleep! Sleep, has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including the human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), healthy weight management, calm mind, improved mood, and vibrant, clear skin.
One important element in self-care and immune support is nurturing yourself. Take notice if you feel exhausted, or a sore throat, as these are potential warning signs that your immune system is tired, and could point to an on-coming cold.  Give your body the nourishment it needs in any of the forms listed above. Another option is to get a relaxing massage, which not only carves out an hour (or more!) out of the day just for yourself, it is a time for mental relaxation, and a definite sign of self-love to the body. The body responds to emotions, so if you’re feeling stressed or anxious taking time to rest and rejuvenate the body through massage could be just what you need. The simple act of “taking a break” from your everyday responsibilities can be the difference between pushing the body to its breaking point, or soothing the body into fighting off that cold quickly and painlessly.