Typically when we think of spring cleaning, we think of decluttering, extensive deep cleaning, and maybe some Marie Kondo-ing. Out with the old, in with the new. We may open the windows to let that fresh air in along with the warmth of the sun. Others may put all their winter clothes away in storage. Regardless, with the spring season comes the inevitable chance to cleanse and welcome some new shift into our lives.
Have you ever had those days when your place was a mess and you couldn’t focus on work? Or there were so many chores piled up you couldn’t relax and watch TV? We tend to allow our external environment to affect how we feel on the inside, and vice versa. When we spend so much time focusing on cleaning and decluttering our surroundings, what it really means is that we are simply externalizing how we feel on the inside.
What if there are other ways we can clean that don’t involve our homes and personal belongings?
Below are three areas that I believe can all benefit from some “spring cleaning.” These categories are crucial to the delicate balance of our mental health. Without them, we may have the most immaculate house but no healthy outlet to express how we truly feel inside.
Mental
Journal prompts – Next time you’re in a rut, try journaling with this specific writing prompt: “I struggle to/with…” Then list all the things in your life that you’re having a difficult time with. Getting it out on paper can be just the reality check we need to showcase our struggles. You can also use the question, “Why?” to get to the root of issues. Continue to ask yourself these questions and write down the answers until you get to the root of your problem. In this way, you’ll be able to understand the cause and develop actionable steps to further help you.
Habitual affirmations – Affirmations are a great tool. But how many of you have an affirmation written on a sticky note somewhere in your house that you’ve forgotten about by now? If we don’t use affirmations on a daily basis, our subconscious doesn’t get the benefit. Affirmations need to be repeated in order for our subconscious to become reprogrammed. Create some habit stacking so that you can incorporate saying affirmations into your daily routine. One suggestion is to say them while you’re brushing your teeth, or doing the dishes.
Meditate – We all know this one, but if seated meditations still sound too scary, try guided ones. I love using meditation apps to find guided meditations. For the spring season, focus on cleansing ones. They can be in the form of a guided waterfall visualization, or even a chakra light cleanse. There are a plethora of meditations to choose from, so find the ones that resonate with you.
Emotional
Feel your feelings – When’s the last time you had a good cry? Crying, although in moderation, has health benefits. A lot of people tend to store their emotions because they are “too busy” to cry. We are over 70% water, after all, so crying is just another way for our body to shed what it no longer needs. Whenever you have a rough day, set the space in your home to invite your tears to shed. That may mean drawing a bubble bath with candles and Enya playing in the background. Find what works for you and let it all out.
Energy work – Maybe it’s time to treat yourself to some reiki healing, or another form of energy healing. Reiki has so many benefits to balancing out our emotional and physical bodies. It can help a person relax, relieve tension, calm the nervous system, and help with insomnia. Many people swear by regular energy work. Cars need regular maintenance, so why shouldn’t you?
Water – As I mentioned before, we are predominantly water. And water is a powerful tool in cleansing. Try working with the water element next time you take a shower or do the dishes by hand. Think to yourself and notice how the water cleanses away the dirt and debris. While taking deep breaths, imagine how the water and soap are washing away any negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions that don’t serve your highest self. Allow whatever that needs to release to flow down the drain, leaving you feeling light and refreshed.
Physical
Enema – Spring is the perfect season to reset your health and your digestion. And a great way to do that is with the use of enemas, which is the injection of fluids into your body via the lower bowels. You can research ways to do enemas yourself, or go to a place that performs colonics. There are at-home enema kits you can buy yourself as well. Enemas can help relieve constipation, and cleanse your intestines and colon. Consult your doctor or health care physician if you have any questions or concerns.
Yoga – Incorporating more yoga flows into your daily routine can benefit your health immensely. Even only 10 minutes a day can make a difference in your overall mood. With spring comes the chance to be more active now that the weather is warming up. Take advantage of this and practice some simple stretchy yoga flows to help bring your body back into alignment. You can even try practicing outside and using your senses to become more aware of the birds chirping, sun shining, and a gentle breeze blowing. This will bring you back into a state of blissful presence.
Lemon water – A great, and simple, way to detox every morning is by drinking a warm glass of lemon water. If you don’t have lemons, you can use limes. Lemons are not only great at giving your immune system a boost with Vitamin C, but they help to flush out toxins in the body by enhancing enzyme function. This, in turn, stimulates the liver which also helps with digestion. Drinking 16 ounces of warm water with juice from half a squeezed lemon is the perfect addition to your morning routine.
“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair…”
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All in all, take advantage of the spring equinox that passed and utilize these new tools to transform yourself, from the inside out. We can’t keep neglecting to cleanse our temples since we only have them for a temporary amount of time. Our bodies deserve the type of love and care that we give our homes. We wouldn’t be thriving in a dirty house that’s falling apart, so why should we accept nothing less than a body that’s functioning at its optimal level. So with spring, let us embody the flowers and show that even after a long winter, we can still blossom and fulfill our true potential.
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Photo: Priscilla Du Preez and Taylor Wright on Unsplash
