5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Health
- 3/20/17
The dark, cold days of winter make it all too easy to skip morning workouts and crawl back under the covers, or eat unhealthy comfort food every night of the week. Spring is synonymous with starting fresh, so there's no better time than the present to brush off the winter doldrums and give your health a reboot!
- Greet the sun. With less sunlight during the winter months, the body can quickly become depleted of vitamin D, an essential nutrient for healthy bones, immune function, hormone balance and many other vital body processes. Going for an early morning walk is a great way to naturally soak in some vitamin D, plus allow for some quiet meditative time to organize activities and goals for the day.
- Eat with the season. Out with the processed food—in with the fresh. Stock up on fresh seasonal produce at your local grocer or the farmer’s market for a variety of delicious, nutritious options. Asparagus, broccoli, butter lettuce, honeydew, mango, oranges, green beans, pineapple, peas, spinach and strawberries are just some of the fruits and veggies at their peak in March, April, and May.
- Decimate dust. Deep spring cleaning can be therapeutic—and improve health. Weekly or bi-weekly “maintenance” cleaning around the house may seem like enough, but it’s time to clean out the clutter and the cobwebs hiding in some corners. A recent George Washington University study found that household dust contained 45 different chemicals! Open up the windows, pull out the HEPA vacuum, plug in an air purifier, remove those dust bunnies and breathe better tonight.
- Take your workout outside. Indoor exercise equipment is great for dreary days, but fresh spring air calls for going outside. Bicycling on a path, running or walking can boost creativity and lower stress. Spring is also a great time to get back to enjoying activities best suited to milder weather, like water sports, tennis and golf.
- Get your hands dirty. It’s time to get planting! Maybe it’s that flower border, a new shrub or even a new house plant. Of course, spring is also the ideal time to start growing your own healthy fruits and vegetables—many can thrive even in a small space. Fresh herbs can be grown in a simple window or balcony planter, and make tasty additions to salads, pasta, and chicken.
