Take Advantage of the Season and Spring Clean Your Health, Too
Think beyond the disinfectants, sponges, and sprays associated with Spring cleaning — it's time to give your health a seasonal makeover. From your workouts to your diet, here are six ways to bring the focus of the season to your body and mind.
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If you can't muster another treadmill run, it's time to exercise in the great outdoors. In a UK-based study, participants reported that exercising outside was both more enjoyable and more satisfying. Plus, participants said they were more likely to exercise again — another indicator that getting your heart rate up outside the gym feels more beneficial. Take advantage of the increasing days and (slightly) warmer weather and move your workouts outside. Hit the streets for run, jog, or stroll. Why not pull your yoga mat onto your patio and down dog in the fresh air or jump rope at the park?
Take advantage of all the healthy produce coming into season, like asparagus and strawberries, and clean up you diet. Focus on eating whole foods — fruits, veggies, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Here's a two-week clean-eating plan to follow or just mine it for healthy, easy recipes. No matter how you approach it, aim to eat at least five servings of fruit and veg daily.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Cera Hensely
Cleaning up your diet will be easier if you give your kitchen a healthy makeover. Get rid processed and unhealthy products and replace them with whole, natural foods instead. Take time to look for expiration dates and toss the items that past due to make room for you new healthier fare. here's how to organize your fridge to keep your food fresh.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jae Payne
If you're inspired to clean, take advantage of the productive mood. Dust, mop, and vacuum to rid your home of the wintry dust build up that often accompanies running the heat 24/7. There are many places people forget: blades of ceiling fans, heating vents, tops of books resting on your lovely bookshelves, and light fixtures. (Bonus: although vigorous cleaning might not counts as strength training, all that movement burns calories and helps add up to your total daily burn.)
Taking time to de-clutter might help you decrease your stress. In fact, one study found a correlation between a messy kitchen and over eating. You don't need to go full KonMari on your entire house. Start with your desk, or simply a drawer in your desk, and create some order — tossing things you don't and organizing the things you want and need to keep.
If you haven't done so already, Spring is a great time to get your medical history checked out. Make an appointment with your ob-gyn, dentist and optometrist. Consider getting a physical.
