Spring has arrived, at least on the calendar, and, as we often do at this time of year, it is time to think about spring cleaning. Get your house in order, sure, but get your body in order too! Here are four ways to check in with your health.
Restore your love for fresh vegetables.
While summer is the best time to take advantage of the riches of local soil, spring offers a bounty of in-season veggies and is a great time to lay the habit of eating 7-10 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. If you are trying to lose weight, try to minimize fruit to 2 of those servings and load up on heart-healthy, weight-loss boosting fibre-full veggies instead. In-season produce (Ontario) includes: beets, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, mushrooms, parsnips, peppers and squash.
Make an appointment with your holistic health practitioners.
You have made it through the blahs of winter, and the cold and flu season. You may not have any nagging health issues but now is the time to benefit from an annual check-up. See your naturopath for an assessment of your health goals, check-in with a natural nutritionist about your diet habits (what needs tweaking?) and make an appointment with your chiropractor. Now is an excellent time to think about thermography as a way to assess your current whole health profile.
Clear Your Body
Spring is an excellent time to detox your body. Balance digestive health each day by welcoming the morning with a warm cup of water and fresh squeezed lemon juice first thing upon rising. Give your digestive system (and your liver) a break by not eating after 8pm. Try a juice fast for bowel cleansing effects, inquire about a liver cleanse at your trusted health store or try eating an anti-inflammatory diet for a week or more (eliminate foods thought to cause inflammation like gluten and dairy, sugar and saturated fats). Avoid processed foods.
Clear Your Mind
Take the opportunity a changing season provides to put your life into perspective. Dream a little – what is out of balance, not working? Dream big – are you doing what you want to be doing? are you fulfilled? happy? Dream more – give yourself the space to truly think. Sit quietly each night for 5-10 minutes and reflect on the day, and your emotions. Journal, if it helps to write your thoughts down. Slowly, you can transition from just thinking to meditating, a wonderful, proven way of quieting your mind, restoring emotional balance and reaching for optimal health. You might also like to take this time to practice breast massage.
What does Spring mean to you? Do you have any traditions for springing forward to enjoy a new season? Tell us in the comment section below!
