spring cleaning

Spring is here and it’s super important to focus on staying well during these months. As the weather goes back and forth from warm to cold it seems as though the common cold is still fairly common. There’s definitely a few things you can do to try to stay healthy. 

One of the biggest things you can do is try to follow a wellness routine. Being active at least 20 minutes a day can have a huge impact on your overall health. Exercise helps boost our mood and immune system, improves memory and heart health, as well as supports sleep and weight loss. Daily exercise can be simply going outside on these warmer days and going for a short walk. Or as the ground continues to dry up, you can enjoy a light hike or even starting to clean up your garden. For those who want to be slightly more active, you can try yoga, lift weights, or get your bike back out. 

Sometimes the next one is easier said than done. Sleep is super important to our overall health and immune system. Sleeping 7-9 hours a night is ideal. Keeping a consistent bedtime can help to have a more restful night sleep. Also avoiding screen time (television or using a cell phone) a couple hours before bed can also help our brain and body relax easier. 

Spring clean your space and mind. Household clutter can negatively impact our mental health and increase our cortisol (stress) levels. Start with decluttering spaces you can see such as countertops, desks, and tables. Then work on the spaces you don’t see regularly like closets, under the bed, and basements or garages. If it seems overwhelming, focus on getting rid of a box of stuff a week whether that be throwing things away, recycling, selling, or donating them. Also when spring cleaning, they say it’s best to work from top to bottom. Dust things at higher levels, wash windows, then work on baseboards, and lastly vacuum and mop. While our physical spaces benefit from spring cleaning, it’s important to work on our mental spaces as well. Set some long and short term goals for yourself, work on deep breathing, and maybe even try meditation. 

Lastly, stay hydrated. If you’re super busy, sometimes staying hydrated isn’t at the top of your mind. I recommend getting a cup that’s 20 ounces and make sure you refill it several times a day. Some healthy things to consider adding to your water are low to no sugar electrolytes and trace minerals. (Consult with your doctor or nurse practitioner first especially if you have kidney or liver issues.) 
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Just remember spring cleaning can mean a lot more than just our physical homes. It can apply to our bodies as well as minds too. Each of these aspects lead to us living a healthy life as a whole. Happy spring! Wishing you all many happy sunny days ahead. 

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