Springtime signifies a new, fresh, and clean beginning. It is a time to reflect on your current habits and get rid of anything that doesn’t favor your future. One of society's favorite ways to do this is with the annual tradition of spring cleaning, which typically refers to the act of giving your home a thorough cleaning in preparation for the warm, sunny months to come. However, your home may not be the only thing that needs a good cleaning this spring.
This time of year also presents a wonderful opportunity to “spring clean” your wellness routine. As the ground starts to thaw and the sun starts to shine more, it’s the perfect time to take a close look at all the parts of your current wellness routine and give it a refresh.
If you are an advocate of spring cleaning, then you likely already have a list of things you want to tackle over the next few weeks. The windows need to be cleaned, the curtains need to be washed, the pantry needs to be organized, the linen closet needs to be decluttered, the list goes on and on. But have you added yourself and your wellness routine to that list yet?
During the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to let ourselves get off track when it comes to our own health and well-being. Maybe you set health-related resolutions this year that have since slipped your mind, or maybe you have been feeling a bit uninspired during these colder, darker months. Whatever the case may be, the transition from winter to spring presents the perfect opportunity to evaluate where you are currently at and give your wellness routine a good once over. After all, the start of this beautiful season naturally brings an influx of refreshing energy and motivation, so take advantage of it to help you spring-clean your routine and make those changes that you know will bring you closer to a happier, healthier version of yourself.
Not sure where you get started? Our suggestion is to break your wellness routine down into parts and work on each one individually. Let’s walk through it together.
Spring Clean Your Diet
Food is a major part of our health, which is why it’s important to regularly take a look at your eating habits and make adjustments where needed. While you definitely don’t need to completely overhaul your eating habits, there are a few simple steps you can take to move toward a lighter, healthier diet as the weather changes.
1. Clean Out Your Fridge and Pantry
Start by taking a look at what foods you have on hand, and get rid of anything that is expired or stale. Also keep your eye out for items that are ultra-processed, or full of saturated fat, sugar, or salt. Since these items hold very little nutritional value, feel free to get rid of them too. By doing so, you will remove the temptation to default to unhealthy eating habits and encourage yourself to stick to the healthier habits you are looking to create. While you’re at it, this is also a great time to check a few things off your actual cleaning list by wiping down the inside of your fridge and storage shelves and sweeping the pantry floor.
2. Stock Up on Lighter, Healthier Items
Now that you have made more room, it’s time to restock that kitchen with healthier items that are loaded with all the vital nutrients your body needs to look and feel its best. Visit your local farmer’s market to find fresh, in-season produce to incorporate into your meals and feel free to browse the internet to find new, healthy, spring-inspired dishes to spice up your meal plan.
Spring Clean Your Fitness Routine
We all know that living a primarily sedentary lifestyle can wreak havoc on our health, and unfortunately, the winter months aren’t the best for motivating us to get up and move our bodies. If you’re hoping to work more movement into your day as we head into the spring months, here are some ways you can spring-clean your fitness routine.
1) Prioritize a Daily Walk
One of the easiest and most refreshing ways to add more movement into your day is to make a habit of taking a 20-30 minute walk each and every day. With the weather getting nicer, this walk will ideally be outside where you can also benefit from soaking up some sun and fresh air as well.
2) Find Something to Swap
If you stayed dedicated to your workout routine through the colder months but haven’t been feeling motivated lately, finding a simple way to switch things up may be the thing you need to get back on track. Maybe you need to put away your cold-weather workout gear and break out some of those warm-weather outfits you’ve missed so much. Or maybe you could benefit from changing up your workout space. If you work out at home, rearranging the room or simply organizing your gear can do wonders to help the space feel refreshed and welcoming.
Spring Clean Your Supplement Routine
Some of us take supplements simply for the nutrient boost while others take them to support specific areas of health. Either way, spring is a wonderful time to evaluate your current selection of supplements and determine if there is anything that needs to be updated. Here are a couple of things to consider when refreshing your supplement routine.
1) Clear Out Your Cabinet
Much like with food, the best place to start when it comes to spring cleaning your supplement routine is by cleaning out the area of your home where these products are stored. Whether that’s a medicine cabinet in your bathroom or a shelf in the kitchen, spend some time going through the space. Properly dispose of any products that are expired or no longer provide benefit for your body. Then give the area a good cleaning before deciding if there is anything that needs to be replaced or restocked.
2) Swap Out Artificial Supplements
One of the easiest ways to make sure your supplements routine is as effective as possible is to ensure you are only taking products that are made with the highest-quality, natural ingredients. Products made with whole food ingredients are going to contain nutrients that are going to closely mimic those found in nature, which means they are going to be easier for your body to use and absorb. Plus, supplements with synthetically created ingredients are more likely to contain unnecessary fillers and calories, which means they have the potential to do more harm than good.
Spring Clean Your Sleep Routine
Sleep is an extremely important aspect of keeping your body and mind healthy, so don’t overlook it. If your sleep habits are less than ideal, you’re more likely to feel irritable, cranky, tired, and unfocused throughout the day. Plus, without adequate sleep, your body isn’t able to properly repair itself, which can lead to a number of health concerns later in life. Here are some ways to reset and refresh your sleep habits.
1) Embrace the Morning Sunshine
Now that it’s staying light longer, it may be tempting to get your daily dose of sunshine in the evening, but if you are focusing on improving the quality of your sleep, you may want to step outside first thing in the morning. Soaking up at least 10 minutes of natural light in the morning can help boost your energy throughout the day and regulate your circadian rhythm. So grab your cup of coffee, turn on some music or your favorite podcast, and spend a little time outside before you start your day.
2) Get Back into a Routine
With time changes, holiday celebrations, and busy work and social schedules, winter can be a difficult time to keep your sleep schedule on track. If you’ve fallen into the habit of staying up too late or frequently sleeping in, use spring as an opportunity to get back on track. Decide what time you want to go to bed and wake up each day and hold yourself accountable to that. Make sure your schedule allows you to get at least 7 to 8 hours every night so you can be sure you are reaping the many health benefits of a good night's sleep.
Spring Clean Your Skincare Routine
Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and taking care of it is a vital, but often overlooked, part of an effective wellness routine. Spring is the perfect time to give your skincare regimen a much-needed reset. Here’s how to do just that.
1) Clear Out Old Products
Do you have a drawer full of products you no longer use? It’s time to toss them. After all, there is a reason you haven’t been using them—they likely don’t work well with your skin. Plus, by now they are probably out of date anyway, so there is no use hanging on to them!
2) Swap for the Season
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always the best idea to stick to a single skincare routine year-round. In fact, your skin often has different needs during different times of the year. With that in mind, take a look at your current product line-up and decide what needs to be added or subtracted for the spring and summer months. At the minimum, you’ll likely want to switch to a lighter moisturizer and make sure you have a stronger, skin-loving sunscreen in the mix. If you find yourself looking for a new product or two, remember that quality matters. Do your research and look for a high-quality, natural product that will work for your skin type in order to keep your skin healthy and glowing over the next few months.
Prioritize Yourself this Spring
Spring is known for its bright, fresh energy, which makes it the perfect time to give your wellness routine that much-needed revamp so you can head into the warmer months feeling refreshed, motivated, and ready to tackle all your health and wellness goals. So go ahead. Celebrate spring with us by prioritizing yourself during your spring cleaning routines. We’re sure your body and mind will thank you for it.