Confidence coach Alison Porter takes you through ten steps to a brighter spring, helping you to shake off wintry sluggishness and come alive in every area of your life. Use the fresh energy of spring to create a new you, from inside out and top to bottom

Clear the decks

Feng Shui practitioner, Karen Kingston, rates spring as the best time to start anew, letting go of the clutter that clogs the flow of energy in your home and makes you feel stuck in your life. To get you in the mood for a total clearout, she says: 'Imagine a film crew is coming to your home to make a documentary about who you are, by examining how you live. What would you want to change before the camera rolls?'

Get physical

Work off the winter pounds and pump up your energy with outdoor activities to give you a healthy glow. 'Take advantage of the lighter mornings and the feel-good factor from the spring sunlight to get you motivated,' says celebrity personal trainer, Stuart Amory.

'If you commit to a programme now, you could be feeling fabulous in a month.' Stuart runs a holistic four-week outdoor fitness programme, including advice from a nutritionist, a life coach and an image consultant, that's guaranteed to kick-start you into a new spring look.

Clean up your act

You won't have the energy for a complete overhaul if you don't have the right fuel. For a high-octane spring, take advantage of the fresher, lighter foods now available and try cutting back on your bad habits.

Elson Haas MD, author of Staying Healthy With The Seasons, says: 'The first principle for improving your health is to eliminate destructive habits. At least consider an 'abuse break'. Try a day a week without caffeine, alcohol or sugar, replacing them with a new habit, like drinking water, walking or swimming.'

Let in the light

Refresh your skincare regime and make-up now, paying particular attention to the bits you've been lazier about in the cooler months. Tackle exfoliation and waxing first, followed by deep moisturising and the faintest hint of a tan (we love Johnson's Holiday Skin). As the daylight grows stronger, there's no margin for error in make-up.

Use the classic make-up artists' trick of custom-blending your foundation by mixing two colours, so your make-up perfectly matches your skin tone throughout the year. The word for spring is 'luminous', with the lightest of touches.

Revamp your style

Apply seasonal de-cluttering principles to your personal style. Ask yourself if your clothes really reflect who you want to be. If you're not sure what suits you, hire some help. Fashion stylist, Sarah Cosgrove, offers in-home consultations to liberate you from your wardrobe horrors. She explains: 'Spring is the time to replace some tired old basics with fresh styles. It's amazing how a few well-chosen items can bring your wardrobe to life.'

Find support

Surround yourself with people who are upbeat, who want to see you succeed and are making changes in their own lives. Energy loves company. If you've lost touch with friends from being in winter home-body mode, it's time to refresh those connections.

Don't be afraid to give someone a call if you've lost touch, as they're probably feeling bad about losing contact too. Make full use of the extra daylight hours to meet for coffee at an outdoor cafe or take a walk. Get fresh air and fresh inspiration at the same time!

Sharpen your focus

Now you've shaken things up a little, focus on what you really want. That's something only you can answer. Notice where you're putting your energy and attention, and if those activities are genuinely supporting your dreams.

Get help from life coach Debbie Ford's book, The Right Questions, with 'power questions' to give you the clarity to create your ideal life. If you're faced with a decision, one of the most helpful questions to ask yourself is: 'Will this option take me closer to my goal or further away from it?'

Expand your horizons

Use the fresh spring energy to open you up to new experiences. If there's something you've always wanted to do, plan it or try it now. Mix things up by varying the way you travel to work, speaking to new people, and sampling other cuisines. Change your routine and get out of your comfort zone.

Dip into different interest groups to see what takes your fancy. Log on to www.meetup.com for details of meet-ups with others who are interested in anything from film to salsa dancing. You could make a new friend or even a career contact.

It takes two

Chances are you've slipped into a bit of a relationship rut over winter. Spring energy is playful, so stop waiting for your partner to surprise you and do something fun for them. Leave some love notes around the house or whisk them away for a romantic evening. Shake things up and reap the benefits!

Harley Street hypnotherapist, Joanne Milne, offers courses on developing intimacy that will help you to improve your relationship skills, whether you're in a partnership or are looking for one.

You gotta have soul

If you really want to be full of the joys of spring, you'll need to feel you have a purpose and that you're expressing your true self. By learning to be happy with exactly who you are right now and valuing what you have to offer, your self-confidence can become unstoppable.

Use the 'I Am Fabulous' (www.iamfabulous.co.uk) mantra to put a smile on your face and give you a cheeky confidence boost. Say it to yourself first thing and throughout the day for a frisky burst of soulful self-love!