Spring is here and that means it’s time to really focus on growth. The cold days that were the perfect excuse to stay put are now long gone, and everything is suddenly alive. Now it’s up to all of us to make the most of this seasonal moment. 

Why? Because growth in the spring leads to shining in the summer.

That’s why the concept of improvement is at the center of my picks this month. Whether you’re working to limit unneeded stress or upgrading your spring look, each pick is designed to help fuel your prosperity in April.

But remember, there’s a good chance one of these picks could become your next serious crush.

“How to Make Stress Your Friend”

Can changing how you think about stress make you healthier? That’s the question psychologist Kelly McGonigal attempts to answer in her eye-opening TED Talk. According to McGonigal, it’s all about changing your POV.

Learning to view our stress responses as helpful stimulus can alter your physical response to stress. In the talk she explains how stress hormones work, how we can reframe the purpose of stress, and how connecting to other people and caring for others can help increase our stress resilience.

Staying healthy is not all about eliminating stress, which is good news since that’s nearly impossible. It’s about getting better at it. It only takes 15 minutes to watch, but you’ll be thinking about the ideas it raises for far longer.

As most Shore Magic fans know, I’m all about the science. It’s amazing what a little bit of enlightenment can do. This month I’ve been sharing with my friends and family an interesting report on how mindful chewing of your food has been shown to support digestion and prevent obesity.

Most people are surprised to learn that digestion starts in the mouth. Chewing thoroughly is the first step in breaking down our food, and it may even be the missing piece in managing a healthy weight. This study found that the amount of time spent tasting and chewing increased diet-induced thermogenesis, which is a form of energy expenditure in the body beyond our state of rest.

That means simply slowing down and savoring our food and beverages longer and more intentionally can lead the body to burn more energy. This might seem like a small metabolic contribution at each meal, but don’t forget that over the course of a year all those meals can really add up. This might be the only time I endorse chewing your food like a cow!

A few months ago, a friend of mine recommended this documentary to me, but the topic didn’t immediately jump out and grab me. Boy, was I wrong.

The film is deeply moving on multiple levels. It’s about a man dealing with depression and a search for purpose, who ends up accidentally befriending an unusually curious octopus. We see how their bond develops over the course of a year and how the man, Craig Foster, begins to heal through his time underwater in another world. It’s sure to get you thinking about your animal friendships and appreciating the healing power of nature. Sometimes growth can happen in the places you least expect it.

With all this focus on growth, let’s not forget the allure of a flowering new wardrobe. I lived in this Veronica Beard jacket all winter. The zip-in sweatshirt dickey makes this a coat for all seasons. I just love the stretch of the fabric. It’s a super comfortable piece that makes everything look chic and polished. Jackets like this don’t grow on trees, even in the spring.

Shore Magic Collagen Powder – 4 Month Supply

How can we talk about growth this month without talking about the milestones you can reach from taking Shore Magic premium marine collagen powder? Grab a 4-month supply today and start strengthening your skin, hair, nails, muscles, joints and more from within.

That’s one goal that I can’t wait to tackle together!