A Spring-Cleaning Checklist — For Your Health!

Credit: gordonplant, Flickr

Spring is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. More so than even the New Year, for me, spring is a time I always vow to get outside, get more active doing fun things outdoors and just do more after hibernating the winter away. It’s also a good time to check in with yourself and do a refresh before you get into the busy business of summer. Dr. Natalie Strand — director of integrative medicine at Freedom Pain Hospital and winner of The Amazing Race — shares her spring-cleaning checklist to improve your health as things heat up outside!

Spring-Cleaning Checklist: 5 Things to Do for Your Health

1. Relax, don’t just rest. Stress is a huge contributor to poor health, but many people don’t know how to manage it. People often mistake resting for relaxing, but it’s not the same. Learn some stress-reducing techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation or meditation.

2. Get seasonal. Check out your local farmer’s market. Buy seasonal foods and try to incorporate them in your meals every day. Seasonal produce is more flavorful and densely packed with nutrients.

3. Make exercise fun. Spring is the perfect time of year to combine exercise with social activities. Be creative to get endorphins pumping and think of things to do with friends such as taking a salsa class, archery lessons, or an evening walk around the neighborhood.

4. Get a spring tune-up. Doctors’ appointments are important, but often pushed to the wayside. Make a list and schedule all your appointments at once: yearly check-ups, dental exams and cleanings, and eye exams.

5. Spruce up your mouth health. You’re already brushing your teeth twice a day, so take the chance to switch to using oral care products that do more than just protect, but can actually help improve the health of your mouth. Dr. Strand recommends Colgate Total to improve mouth health.

Do you have anything on your healthy living checklist to accomplish this spring? —Erin