For this Year’s Spring Cleaning, Look in the Mirror

By Sara Butler

Spring means renewal. It’s time to put away the heavy sweaters and the winter boots as you look forward to warmer temperatures and sunnier days. Some people even seize the opportunity to give their house a good scrubbing -- perhaps not people who have kids, but some people. But have you ever taken the opportunity to spring clean your body?

I’m not talking about any kind of strange detox in which you drink only a mixture of water, lemons, and maple syrup for a week. I’m talking about shifting your habits to take advantage of the new season. At The Joint Chiropractic, we’re big believers in total wellness. Here are some of our tips to help you change your mindset and fully embrace the new season ahead!

Use Lawn Care as Exercise

You’ve been cooped up all winter long (well, most of you) and now it’s time to get outside! Of course, that also means lawn care and maintenance, which isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do. Still, it’s the perfect excuse to get outside and get moving. Aside from the obvious physical benefits of getting your body moving, studies have shown that being outside also has benefits for your mental health.

All that weeding, mulching, mowing, and cleanup can help you get in your steps for the day too. Plus, there’s something that feels good about putting your hands in the dirt and creating something beautiful -- so embrace all that work in the garden!

Change Up Food Choices

Winter can inspire some not-so-healthy food choices. It’s not entirely your fault because, from an evolutionary biology standpoint, loading up on calories in the cold is a survival mechanism left over from our cave-dwelling days when food was scarce (thanks a lot, caveman cousins). You can bounce back by making a few simple changes.

Try to cut salt from your food, using herbs and spices to create flavor instead. Cayenne pepper and cinnamon are two spices that add a kick and have benefits to your overall health. You can also try incorporating fruits into your diet to satisfy a sweet tooth -- dark chocolate with reduced sugar is also a great way to go. Make sure to take advantage of the fresh produce that comes into season locally in the spring -- it will provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy.

Tackle Spring Allergies

One thing about spring that strikes fear in the hearts of roughly 50 million Americans is allergies. They’re simply no fun. You may love that the weather is improving and the sun is shining, but it’s hard to appreciate through watery swollen eyes and incessant sneezing. Lucky for you, The Joint Chiropractic is here!

The chiropractors at The Joint can’t change the pollen count, but they can make sure your body is working optimally and your immune system is functioning well. Chiropractic adjustments benefit the central nervous system; because of that, many people report a reduction in allergy symptoms in conjunction with regular chiropractic adjustments.

Spring is one of the best times of the year, so take advantage of all it has to offer and gear up for summer by taking care of yourself, both inside and out.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.