Your spring health guide

Whether you’re looking for ways to perk up your plate or getting back to outdoor play, here are ways to kick-start your spring.

Warmer weather makes spring the perfect time to get outside and get active. You can start with small steps – literally – by taking a walk around your block or neighbourhood. Looking for something more adventurous? Activities such as hiking or rock climbing might be more your speed. In your rush to get back to exercising outdoors and enjoying the sunnier days, remember to keep safety in mind.

• Put one foot in front of the other and walk your way to health with this all-ages guide to local walking adventures.
• Get outside and banish boredom. Read: Seven ways to fill spring days for fun ideas to be active this spring.
• Read these bike safety tips to keep you and your family safe while biking.
• Sun burns are possible even in spring. Learn how to stay safe in the sun and heat as you enjoy the sunnier weather.
• Being outdoors increases chances of tick bites. Learn how to avoid, check for and safely remove ticks.

Spring is a great time of year to re-explore our relationships with fresh, local fruits and vegetables. You may even consider growing your own.

Below are tips on mindful eating and drinking, gardening and other fun activities for you and your family this spring.

• Check out April showers bring May vegetable gardens for tips to start spring container gardening and read about the benefits of eating in season.
• Spring into a healthy relationship with food. Read our dietitian-approved tips for a more peaceful relationship with food and your body this season. Also, check out Canada’s Food Guide to find ways to perk up your plate.
• On a budget? Healthy eating is still possible. Read our tips sheet for healthy eating on a budget.
• Looking for low-cost food services? Many communities throughout Fraser Health provide free and low-cost food programs. Find them in our free and low-cost food directory.
• Did you know drinking alcohol can increase your risk of cancer? Learn more about how alcohol can affect your health and the benefits of drinking less.
• Think you might need to increase your water intake? Get advice on how to drink more water daily.
• What you buy at the grocery store will greatly influence how well you eat. Read these five steps to healthier grocery shopping.
• Learn to be mindful of your eating habits by paying attention to your hunger signals and noticing when you are full. Also check out Canada’s Food Guide to find ways to perk up your plate.

Read more tips below on vaccines, safety around windows and balconies, and more.

• Spring is a great time to make sure you and your family are up-to-date on all of your immunizations. If you are planning to travel, read this advice about travel immunizations.
• Practice window safety for children to prevent falls from windows and balconies.
• Concussions can happen to anyone. Learn how to spot a concussion so you can seek treatment right away.
• Take control of screen time by setting limits and establishing healthy habits for yourself and your family.
• Infographic: Window safety tips to protect kids from falls

• Take precautions to avoid tick bites
  
• Keeping the roads safe for cyclists
  
• Road safety tips on being a bike-friendly driver
  
• Why cyclists sometimes ride in the middle of the road