There’s no denying- we are all ready for spring.
We’ve spent the past year worrying about one thing after another, and everyone is ready to get outside and enjoy the nicer weather. But are you ready for it?
Working in the healthcare industry, I have noticed a few things that people have let slip over the past year. These things are so important in a normal year, but especially now. Immunity is actually decreased greatly when these things slide. I know, vaccines are coming out, so a lot of people won’t have to worry as much about immunity as we have had to this past year- but what about just getting plain old sick? Now that we’re coming out of this pandemic a little bit, and spring is here, I know I don’t want to get even a little cold because I want to enjoy this weather and some freedom!
I have some tips for how you can do some “spring cleaning” on your health so that you’re ready for the spring and summer, and that you don’t waste any time enjoying it!
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet- making sure that you’re getting the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables is so important. Do you even know what the daily amount you should be consuming is? It’s 1 1/2-2 cups of fruit per day, and 2-3 cups of veggies per day. And don’t forget the water! It varies for men and women: for men, it’s 15 1/2 cups, and for women it’s 11 1/2 cups. Now, this does seem like a lot to keep up with, so my suggestion would be to put a chart somewhere around your house! On the fridge would be the easiest way to make sure that you see it everyday. Some pro tips on how to follow this- get a very large bottle that equals around the daily recommendation of water you should be drinking, fill it up at the beginning of the day, and don’t go to bed until it’s all gone! That way you don’t have to think about how many cups you’ve already had or how many you have to go- you just drink it all! For making sure you get the correct amount of fruits and veggies, meal prepping is something I enjoy doing. Even writing out what fruits/veggies you’re going to have every day of the week helps take the pressure off of having to decide that day.
- Get a good night’s sleep- I have talked about sleep cycles before, and I’ve done a lot of research on them. I used to hear that getting eight hours of sleep was the recommended amount, but now it varies a bit. The amount is 7 to 9 hours, but honestly, I think now with Netflix, Hulu, etc., people are getting less. I know that my sleep will affect my diet, because when you’re tired, who has time to cook? You go for the fast food (McDonald’s, Burger King, etc.) or the frozen pizza in the back of your freezer. I’m not worried about fruits or veggies! Everything is connected, so making sure you get enough sleep effects your mood, and how you eat! I know that some people, no matter how early they go to bed, can’t get a good night’s sleep. Some people say that their pillow isn’t working for them anymore- if that’s the case, then you’re in luck! We’re offering 15% off of our Custom-Fit, memory foam pillows at our clinic. Pillowise is sold by over 5,000 + health care workers in the U.S., and my patients AND employees have bought these pillows! I can honestly say that I have only ever heard good things from people that have used them. Call our clinic at 512-730-0231 to find out how you can start off spring right by finally getting a good night’s sleep!
- Make sure you’re prioritizing mental health- This one is more important than ever. Making sure that you’re doing mental health check-ins and taking time for yourself can affect just about every aspect of your life. Just like with sleep, if you’re anxious, or depressed, chances are a proper diet isn’t your biggest concern. Talk to a friend or family member you feel comfortable around if you need to work through something, or a mental health professional. Something I do every day is think of what I’m grateful for right when I wake up. This puts me in a positive mindset, and whatever kind of day I have, I know that I’m lucky to be here and have the life I do. I always say this- you can’t control what happens, but you can control your reaction. We’ve all struggled with perspective before, but I think this past year has really helped in that sense.
- Clean out clutter- You can’t have true “spring cleaning” without actually cleaning something! A big stressor in my life is when things are cluttered or messy. I stress out, get anxious, and can’t focus. This affects my mental health and sleep! (See, everything really is connected). Making sure that you’re going through your home and organizing/purging things helps create a clean, relaxing environment. Blocking off time to do this helps as well. If you put something on your calendar, you’re more likely to do it. But don’t overwhelm yourself! Do it in 3/4 hour increments, that way you don’t over work yourself. I also make sure that if I’m around a lot of dust (in my attic, closet, etc.) I wear a mask. The last thing I want is allergies making me down for the count on a beautiful spring day!
With these four things working in harmony, you’re sure to set yourself up well to have a great spring. And remember, no one is perfect! You might have a slip up and forget to go to bed early, or not drink enough water, but actively trying is the first step. Make sure to tell someone your plan, too! Accountability helps push yourself to actually get things done.
