There are some obvious health benefits to spring-cleaning: less allergies, lower stress, and better concentration, just to name a few. Here are a few more “cleaning” tips to freshen up your home, as well as your mind, body and spirit!
Purge the Pantry
While straightening your cupboards remove snacks that contain harmful trans fats, hydrogenated oils, excessive salt and sugar, or empty calories. Instead stock up on nutrient dense snacks like raw almonds, gogi berries, raw cacao and kale chips that supply needed nutrients, keep you feeling full longer, and taste great!
Burn Calories
Don’t have time to catch up on chores AND go to the gym? No worries! You can easily shed over 200 calories per hour house cleaning by trying some of these simple tips: 1) Turn up the music to keep you moving, get your heart pumping and have more accomplished in a shorter time period. 2) Tighten your core when dusting to help prevent back injuries and strengthen your abs. 3) Do lunges when vacuuming, make large arm circles when washing windows, carry heavy buckets, and use a stepladder to increase the calories burned.
Clean Out Space in Your Mind
Instead of having your to-do list floating around in your head, write it down. It will help your organize and prioritize your chores, and give you a huge sense of satisfaction as you check off completed tasks. Take time for breaks in between chores to have a cool drink and few deep breaths. As you are refreshing your home, consider other areas in your life that may need revitalizing: relationships, career, spirit. When you are done cleaning the house, jot down a few “spring resolutions” you can commit to help you achieve more balance in your life.
– By Rabia Vaughns
Rabia Vaughns is a physician assistant committed to offering comprehensive and compassionate medical care at ACHIM
