With spring coming, lots of us are planning a cleanup of our homes and offices. How about some spring cleaning for your health? Follow these tips from the Everyday Health website for cleaning up your health habits as the weather turns warmer:
- Get back to fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits and veggies start coming into season during the springtime months. Visit your local farmer’s market when it reopens and look for organic produce in your grocery store. Mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, berries and more will become more plentiful as the year goes on.
- Stay hydrated. As temperatures grow warmer you may be outside more, exercising, running errands, and doing chores. You can easily sweat away moisture from your body without realizing it, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to ward off the fatigue, headaches, and low energy that can result from dehydration.
- Get moving. Take advantage of the milder weather to get outside and get your blood pumping. Even light exercise can do your body good after a sedentary winter. Take a walk or do some gardening to improve your muscle and bone health.
- Enjoy the sun—cautiously. Sunshine boosts your skin’s production of vitamin D, which is good for bone health and increases serotonin levels, which elevates your mood. Just remember to protect your skin from UV radiation by covering up and using sunscreen when you’re outside. Safeguard your eyes with sunglasses and hats.
- Watch for allergens. Unfortunately, springtime is allergy season for many people. Aside from pollen outdoors, many allergens can be found indoors—dust, mold, and the like. A thorough spring cleaning of your house can eradicate many of them. Visit an allergist to discuss problems and seek treatment.
- Get a spring checkup. Schedule an exam with your doctor. An annual physical can alert you to potential problems before they grow out of control. Review your medications and overall health history to make sure you’re on the right track for good health throughout the year.