Fun AND Healthy: Spring Cleaning

From the Mighty Newsletter May 2013

By Aja Uranga-Foster, Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach

The arrival of spring means longer days, more sunshine, and a time of renewal. Infuse the vibrant springtime energy into your daily activity with these tips!  

1) Clear out the body's internal clutter.

The topic of bowl movements is not typically polite conversation. But your bowl's regularity isliterally how your body clears out its waste. So it is important that you are being aware of your fiber intake. And many people find a gentle daily supplement-- such as the Ayurveda herbal blend Triphala-- is helpful to assist the body in the daily cleansing process. Several clients and colleagues have reported reductions in bloating and stomach discomfort after starting to take Triphala daily. You can find Triphala at your local Whole Foods in the 'whole body' department, and at many other natural products retailers.

2) Clear out clutter in your home.

Unused items stacked on shelves or crammed in closets are not just annoying places you have to dust during the year. They can actually cause energetic blocks in your home, which can cause tension and stress in your body. You can test this idea for yourself by going and looking into a cluttered closet or shelf full of items you never use. How does it make you feel? Would you rather close the door or ignore it? Do you feel anxiety or regret as you look at it? You deserve to have every inch of your home infused with peace and order. Tackle the job in chunks of time and clear out the clutter! It is an important part of the puzzle to create peace and balance in your life.

3) ...And in your car.

The same concept about clutter in the home also applies in your car. Crumpled papers, garbage, and loose change clanging around can cause layers of stress that can start your day off on the wrong foot. Why not enjoy your environment in your car? Simple changes in your car like vacuuming the carpets and detailing the console can work wonders for your feeling of serenity while driving.

4) ...And in your cyber world.

Take a day or two to file important emails, delete unnecessary ones, and unsubscribe from email lists you no longer care to read. Unsubscribe or delete people on your Facebook or Twitter who are negative or unhelpful. Allow your online "world" to become a peaceful place where you can connect with positive people. Any action that creates space, even cyber-'space', is helpful to remove energetic blocks in your life and create more peace and balance. 

5) Update your self-talk.

Has your internal dialogue to yourself in your mind been less-than-kind? We often tend to be our own worst critics. But guess what: it's a new day, and it's time to turn over a new leaf! Practice "turning the thought" when you catch yourself indulging in negative chatter in your mind: simply intercept a negative thought with a new, positive thought. Positive statements to yourself such as "I'm going to enjoy a rejuvenating 15-minute walk right now," or "I am thankful for my comfortable and cozy bed, and look forward to a great day tomorrow," can do wonders to bring your mind into the moment and poise it for a new stream of positive thoughts.

Enjoy and tell your friends!