Spring has always been a season of fresh starts. The air feels lighter, gardens begin to bloom, and there’s a renewed sense of energy that seems to whisper, “It’s time to rejuvenate.” Yet, while we happily spring-clean our homes, we often forget to do the same for our minds and bodies.
So says Shaun Lamont, managing director of First Group Hotels and Resorts: “Why should our homes or office space get all the attention? Just like decluttering a cupboard, when you remove what doesn’t serve you, you make space for what does. A holiday does the same for the mind and body: it allows you to let go of stress, and in doing so, creates room for energy, creativity and joy to return.”
That sense of space is often most noticeable when we change our environment. “Escaping into nature – whether it’s the countryside in full bloom or the coastline shaking off winter – reminds us of life’s natural rhythms. Just a few days away can act as a reset button, bringing perspective we can’t always find in our day-to-day routines,” Lamont explains.
It’s easy to underestimate the effect of even a short break. A long weekend may not feel like much on the calendar, but stepping into an environment that looks, sounds and smells different from your everyday life has a powerful effect. The moment you wake up to birdsong instead of traffic, or trade office walls for views of rolling green hills or sparkling blue seas, your body responds. Shoulders soften, breathing steadies, and the brain starts to let go of the constant to-do lists that dominate ordinary days.
Spring brings with it a natural surge of creativity and motivation. There’s something quietly transformative about stepping outside your usual frame. In nature, time stretches. You notice the way light shifts through leaves, how silence isn’t empty but full of detail. It’s in these moments – unhurried and unfiltered – that clarity often arrives. You begin to hear your own thoughts again, not the noise of obligation, but the voice of intention.
“When we pause and immerse ourselves in a new environment, we often return to our normal lives with fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm,” Lamont notes. “It’s like awakening into a season of possibility; the same way gardens burst into bloom, we too can flourish when given the right space and care.”
To make the most of a spring reset, Lamont suggests focusing on three simple practices while away:
1. Change your rhythm – swap packed schedules for slower starts or unhurried meals. Allowing yourself to linger can be more restorative than cramming in activities.
2. Engage your senses – notice the small things: the scent of jasmine, the warmth of the sun, the taste of seasonal produce. These details anchor you in the present moment.
3. Leave unplanned time – resist the urge to fill every hour. A holiday reset happens in the pauses: quiet walks, conversations that matter, sipping cocktails and watching the sunset or enjoying a relaxing spa treatment.
Why not take advantage of some of the short-stay specials First Group is offering to encourage that reset? Enjoy a two-night Couples Spa getaway at Magalies Park or a Three-Night Girls’ getaway at La Montagne. How about a Wheels, Water and Wilderness weekend at Qwantani or a mid-week escape at Midlands Saddle and Trout? Perhaps a weekend safari and spa at Sanbonani Hotel and Resort just outside of the Kruger National Park? Each offers a chance to pause, breathe and let spring do what it does best… refresh!
“Spring is nature’s invitation to start anew – and a holiday gives us the chance to do just that, while making magical, lasting memories,” Lamont concludes.
Visit www.firstgroup-sa.co.za to find the perfect spring reset for you.
