Spring cleaning tips for mental health Wellness

by Wendy Reichental

Take a slow, deep breath and exhale. Spring is finally here. It brings with it a fresh surge of hope, renewal and growth. This transition to Earth’s awakening is an optimal time for shaking off the old and embracing new beginnings.

Much like the instinct to embark on spring cleaning our homes and living spaces, Spring prompts us to embark on a journey of inner renewal and overallphysicalwell-being.

HereAreSomeBeneficialPracticestoHelpFacilitateYourMentalHealthSpringCleaning: Practice Mindfulness and Renew Your Spirit: Participate in practices such as yoga, incorporating mindfulness meditation to bring awareness to your thoughts and feelings, which can help you observe your mental clutter without getting caught up in it. Research studies on the power of meditation have reported a significant reduction in negative thoughts and energy when engaging in activities that encourage deep breathing and self-awareness. Research has demonstrated that merely 5-10 minutes of controlled breathing can soothe the body's nervous system, reducing stress levels and enhancing focus and clarity, allowing you to approach life with greater calmness andresilience.

Don’t Put Off Projects: To-do lists are a great way to improve your mental clarity by helping you organize your thoughts, prioritize tasks, and focus your attention and energy on what needs to be done, which might prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Write down all the things you’ve been putting off, like decluttering your home, storing away those winter clothes, changing your décor, getting those maintenance repairs done, or making those necessary appointments with your dentist or doctor. Take the initiative to tackle those lingering tasks that have been weighing on your mind and commit to taking action to address them.

Another bonus of creating to-do lists is that crossing items off a list eventually provides a sense of accomplishment and progress. This can be a natural energy booster and an improving mindset.

A Simple Stretch or Stroll Brightens Mood: The winter blues can linger into spring and leave you feeling blah even on the sunniest days. Try reaching for the sky with an easy arm stretch to restore your energy. Simply intertwine your fingers and stretch your arms high over your head until you feel a pull in your chest and shoulders. Hold for 30 seconds. Doing various stretches for just 5 minutes twice daily can eliminate sluggishness and kick-start the production of those feel-good hormones.