30 Ways to Feel Like Spring Has Sprung

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen
March 04, 2014
We may be a month or two away from skirt weather, but these fun activities will help you think it’s gorgeous and sunny
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Head to Hot Yoga

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Nothing like sweating buckets in short shorts and a sports bra to make you think you’re practicing in the park in mid-August. Go ahead and let your mind wander during savasana to thoughts of soaking in the shore sun in your two-piece, listening to the waves roll in. [Tweet this idea!]

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Drool Over Sarah Jessica Parker's New Sandals

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Open-toed, kitten-heeled, strappy, wedges: So many spring sandals, so little time! If you need a good place to start, noted shoe-lover Sarah Jessica Parker just launched her shoe line. Go try a bunch on and buy your fave pair (or three).

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Host a Picnic

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Cook barbecue chicken in the oven, whip up some kale slaw, and make a pitcher of lemonade, then invite all your friends over to dig in on blankets in your living room. Tell everyone to wear their brightest colors and take off their shoes when they arrive. Bonus: No ants and the weather doesn’t matter!

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Paint Your Nails

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Metallics, embellished white, stripes, and pastels are all the rage for spring. Head to a salon for a long-lasting gel mani or showcase your artistic streak by trying it yourself.

RELATED: 7 Things Your Nails Can Tell You About Your Health

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Whirl Up a Healthy Pina Colada

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Give the pineapple and coconut cocktail a makeover by slipping in chia seeds to make it thick and decadent, and a secret ingredient that’ll turn it green without impacting the tropical flavor. Even better, this virgin pina colada smoothie clocks in at less than 300 calories!

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Pot Some Herbs

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With the simple kits out there, even women who kill most plants can successfully grow their own basil, mint, oregano, and more in their kitchens. Dishes will have more depth of flavor (with disease-fighting antioxidants to boot), and every time you walk into the kitchen, you’ll be greeted with mouthwatering scents. [Tweet this tip!]

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Cover Yourself in Coconut

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Rid yourself of dry, rough knees and elbows by exfoliating with a sugar scrub. Then towel off and seal the moisture in with a coconut-scented body cream or lotion for touch-me-now skin and a beach mindset.

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Make S'mores

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Get the best part of camping—other than the stars—in your kitchen! Toast marshmallows over your stove (carefully) or in the oven (be sure to watch them), then assemble. If you really want to indulge, use peanut butter cups instead of plain chocolate.

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Be a Basket Case

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Order a picnic basket on Amazon so you're ready to pack it up and head for the park on the next “freak” warm day.

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Visit a Botanical Garden

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Humans have been bringing the outdoors in since the first greenhouse was built in the 16th century. Take advantage of this new-old technology and buy some fresh salad greens from a local greenhouse. Public botanical gardens also often stay open during the cold months and many open their doors to the public for free the first Thursday of every month. Your trip will be as good for your health as it is for your spring fever, as researchers in Japan found that breathing air in plant-dense areas boosts your immune system.

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Channel Ryan Lochte

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Break out your swimsuit—not the stringy two-piece, the one you actually can swim in—and head for an indoor pool for a few laps, or try these water exercises if you’re still working on doggy paddle.

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Sip a Margarita

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Doesn’t matter is it’s the fifth of May or the fifth of December—anytime is a good time for a marg. Make it frozen and low-cal with this strawberry-peach margarita recipe—it’s a mere 121 calories per drink so you can break out the chips and guac too.

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Makeover Your Makeup

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Orange lipstick, bold eyeliner, and blue eyeshadow marched down the runways for spring, but if you're not that adventurous, bright pink, fuscia and "au naturale" looks are also very in this season. Toss your old makeup from last spring and restock with trendy hues.

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Rock Out to Your Summer Playlist

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We all have those songs we belt out with the windows down, hair wild in the wind while cruising to the pool or a friend’s backyard barbecue. You may have to keep the windows up for now, but listen to Katy Perry’s “California Gurls,” “Summer Love” by JT, or “Summer Nights” from Grease, and you’ll practically be able to smell the burgers.

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Plan Your Perfect Tropical Getaway

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While vacations are relaxing, you experience a bigger spike in happiness planning your trip, according to a Dutch study. Researchers say this perk lasts for eight weeks, so start mulling over which beach you want to visit, book your hotel and flight, and start daydreaming about practicing yoga in the sand. 

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Score Some New Sunnies

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The right sunglasses are like a mini (and much cheaper) facelift. And with all the fun new styles coming out for spring, you are sure to find a pair that flatter your face and compliment your style—all while protecting your peepers from harmful UV rays and your skin from wrinkles. [Tweet this idea!]

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Do an Outdoor Workout Inside

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Whether you're into surfing, rock climbing, parkour, or stand-up paddleboard yoga, you can get your summer sports fix indoors thanks to special gyms (or in some cases home equipment). Never road a wave before? Go for it without getting wet since learning inside can be less intimidating than a beach filled with gawkers.

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Light a Candle

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Use scented beeswax candles to create spring ambience. Pick your favorite smell—peonies, lemon, lilac—and things will seem brighter and warmer.

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Switch Up Your Tea

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Nothing complements a salad of spring greens like a refreshing lemonade. For a twist—and an added dose of antioxidants—make it an Arnold Palmer: half lemonade and half iced tea.

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Lighten Up!

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Head to a salon and get some highlights for an instantly sun-kissed mane. Commitment-phobic? Try hair chalk, which allows you to play around with any color of the rainbow, then wash it out. Pull your hair into an updo or braid it for fun peeks of color

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Achieve a Faux Glow

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Sure you can't get a real tan right now, but you don't want skin cancer anyhow, right? Give yourself a golden glow by picking up self-tanner. Be sure to follow these secret application tips so you turn bronze, not polka-dotted orange.

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DIY a Custom Beach Tote

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If you have scissors and an old t-shirt lying around, you can make your own new beach tote, no sewing necessary. Go ahead and pack it with your towel, suit and sandals—you never know when the next warm day will come!

RELATED: 12 Farmers’ Market Totes You’ll Want to Flaunt

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Float Like a Butterfly

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Butterflies like warmth, sunshine, and vibrant flowers as much as we do, so take a trip to your local zoo's butterfly house and spend some time enjoying the beautiful plants, delicate insects, and heat.

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Mix an Exotic Fruit Salad

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Head to the grocery store and buy up all the ripe summer fruits you can find to make a delicious, juicy snack or dessert that’s also good for your health. According to research, enzymes in pineapple may fight cancer and mango may regulate blood sugar, plus a cup of cubed papaya gives you 118 percent of your daily C, 14 percent of your folate, and 10 percent of your A. What are you waiting for? Chop, chop!

RELATED: 5 Desserts You Won’t Believe Are Sugar-Free

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Spring for New Running Shoes

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They won't technically make you run faster, but some new fitness duds—be it sneakers, capris, a sports bra, whatever—will motivate you to stick to your half-marathon training plan (gotta break those shoes in!) or commitment to morning workouts (you will lose those 5 pounds before your sister’s wedding!). [Tweet this tip!]

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Be a Flower Child

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The crocuses may not be sprouting in your town yet, but why wait? Putting a bunch of sweet peas, tulips, or daises in a vase on your table not only looks pretty, it also can improve mood, creativity, and cognitive abilities, according to studies.

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Just Breathe

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Make your own aromatherapy by covering citrus peels with water in a saucepan and simmering on a back burner. It’ll eliminate any stale odors hanging around since your windows have been latched shut for months while calming your mind, experts say.

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Get Organized

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It’s not high on the fun scale, but it will be so much easier to go ahead and cross spring cleaning off your to-do list while it’s cold outside than when it’s a gorgeous weekend. In addition to banishing dust mites and mold, it’s a great time to go through your wardrobe. Consider donating all the clothes, shoes, and accessories you no longer want that are still in good shape.

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Be a Virtual Tourist

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Always wanted to go to Barbados? Tahiti? Bali? If you don't have the time or money to go on an extended vacay right now, check out a documentary about a sunny place you'd like to visit. A girl can dream.

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Spike Your Water

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Dewy skin, upbeat mood, and extra energy are just a few of the health benefits of drinking enough water, but plain ol' H2O can get boring. Infuse yours with fruits, vegetables, or herbs such as pineapple and mint, watermelon and rosemary, or strawberry and basil.

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